Writer / Mike Dikos
Photographer / Jubilee Edgell
The Starke County 4-H Junior Leaders is a program within the 4-H organization that instills qualities such as leadership and responsibility to older 4-H members, those in grades seven through 12, by providing practical and hands-on life-learning experiences.
Projects and happenings within the community, county events, and participation in a variety of roles at the local fair are just some of the ways young people develop traits that will benefit them in their adult life.
Communication, problem solving, and the capacity to conduct an interview and be interviewed, are just a few of the skills that a Junior Leader learns through involvement in the program. These are skills that many of us as adults just take for granted.
The itinerary for the 4-H program year is planned and implemented by the Junior Leaders acting as a team, thus providing the knowledge of understanding the advantage of working together and valuing collective input from individuals. Acting as camp counselors during the summer, Junior Leaders receive training that instills the ability to plan and lead younger members in a variety of activities.
The Starke County Fair also provides a variety of learning experiences for these young leaders. Members assist with project and livestock check-in, help judges in the evaluation of projects, and run a milkshake stand. Teamwork, leadership, organization, business operation, and the competence to simply interact with people are truly lifelong proficiencies that these young people are exposed to.
Another great learning experience for these future adults is the opportunity to attend a wide variety of statewide trips. The State 4-H Junior Leader Conference, the 4-H Roundup, the 4-H Academy at Purdue, 4-H Band and 4-H Chorus are just a few that are offered to all 4-H members. These trips provide an avenue to learn about possible career paths, the chance to interact with others from across Indiana, and a way to further develop life skills.
Julia Miller, the current 4-H youth development Extension educator, has deep ties to Starke County and the 4-H program. Both of her parents were 4-H members in Indiana and active volunteers in the Starke County program. Having been a 10-year member in the 4-H program along with six years as a Junior Leader, one can see that the 4-H program has played an active role in her life. “The 4-H program, Junior Leaders in particular, helped shape me, build my life skills, and provided me with opportunities to be where I am now, professionally and personally,” she says.
Being one of the largest and strongest organizations in the state for many years, countless current community leaders have prospered from their membership in the Starke County 4-H Junior Leaders. High school principals, athletic coaches, lawyers, photographers and civic managers, just to name a few, have benefited from the traits and skills they learned and developed in the program.
One can see by the experience and enthusiasm that Miller gives to these future generations that she is committed to providing them with the same opportunities. “One never knows the impact that you may have on someone until later, and that means a lot,” she says. “Seeing that impact and helping youth develop their skills is so much fun.”
Depending on the activity or learning event, the Starke County 4-H Junior Leaders usually meet on the first Monday of the month from November to June. To participate, join the 4-H by registering online at in.4honline.com. More information can be obtained by calling 574-772-9141.
