The second week of June is a special time for many Kentucky 4-H Alumni. For the last 89 years, The University of Kentucky has hosted thousands of 4-H youth for a week in early June. The very first “Junior Week” was in 1921 with 130 attending. Over the next 18 years the attendance grew to 744 attendees from 111 counties. In 1947, the conference name was changed to “4-H week” and in 1988, “4-H week” became “4-H Senior Conference”. Finally, after multiple name changes, in 2003 the name was changed to its present title of “Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference”. 4-H’ers from all across Kentucky travel to Lexington for the annual conference to experience living on campus, learning and having fun. It’s deemed as one of the best youth development experiences Kentucky 4-H has to offer.
The Conference is four days filled with exciting events such as the election of the state 4-H officers, Fashion Revenue, workshops, guest speakers, and general sessions, with plenty of time for picnic and opening dance. Attendants had the opportunity to participate in many workshops to develop them into future leaders. The workshops are also designed to help teens explore topics of interest and help them decide what they want to do after high school. During Monday evening’s opening session the delegates heard from Keynote Speaker, Hoan Do, about developing life skills necessary to create balanced success in school and in life. On Tuesday the guest speaker was Michael Cuestas, on overcoming adversity and making the right choices.
The conference also allows participants to meet other 4-H member’s from all over the Commonwealth and make friendships that will last a lifetime.
Last week, June 10-13th, at the 89th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference the four new State Officers and four Emerald Award winners were announced:
State 4-H Officers
- President – Paige Hart, Caldwell County
- Vice President – Allie Click, Jessamine County
- Secretary – Rachel Droege, Madison County
- Treasurer – Cody Phillips, Pike County
Emerald Award Winners
- Conner Cooper – Muhlenberg County
- Paige Hart – Caldwell County
- Hannah Myers – Campbell County
- Brooklyn Yonts – Muhlenberg County
We want to thank our sponsors who helped to make this year’s conference a success, Farm Credit Mid-America, UK Ag & HES Alumni Association, the Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association, and the State 4-H Department. Along with all the volunteers, 4-H Agents, state 4-H staff that made the conference possible. Overall, this year’s Teen Conference was a great success and we are already looking forward to next year!
