Siouxland Magazine - Volume 3 Issue 6 - version 2

six youth members and six adult members. This allows
the youth leaders to feel as though they have an equal
say. Teen Leaders or Youth Ambassador Programs in
4-H are unique opportunities for the youth leaders to
experience different leadership roles through the 4-H
program. Youth can plan their events, elect their own
officers, and represent 4-H members in their county.
For those youth who are extremely busy, episodic
leadership opportunities tend to work better. Youth can
serve as Jr. Superintendents during the county fair by
assisting the superintendents and helping with the event
programming. This requires less time commitment, while
still allowing them an opportunity to show leadership.
Siouxland Magazine | EXPLORE / 53
Nebraska 4-H in Dakota
County has established a 4-H
Ambassador program for
teens to demonstrate their
leadership and citizenship
skills. The current Dakota
County 4-H Ambassador
is Brianna Bousquet. She
has been a member of the
Hubbard Jr. Feeders 4-H Club
for the past 11 years. She is
an example of a young leader
in her club, community, and
Brianna Bousquet
school. The first year of the
4-H Afterschool program in Emerson, Brianna was
there helping younger youth complete their projects.
She continues to serve as a teen volunteer and positive
role model for younger youth at the monthly events.
As a 4-H Ambassador in Dakota County, she started
her experience when COVID hit. That didn’t stop
Brianna’s passion for becoming a 4-H Ambassador.
She has been able to practice her communication skills
through making videos about Nebraska agriculture
and 4-H promotions. She represents her club on the
Dakota County 4-H Council and serves as an officer in
her Hubbard Jr. Feeders 4-H Club and the council. Her
involvement as the first Dakota County 4-H Ambassador
has allowed her to promote a positive 4-H message to
youth, families, and stakeholders in the community.
Youth leaders are a cornerstone to the success of every
community. There is a sense of commitment and pride
to their community when youth have helped shape its
future. When moving forward to help grow the youth
leaders in the community, remember to take it slow and
grow it effectively. The 4-H program is the nation’s largest
positive youth development and youth mentoring
organization, empowering six million young people in
the U.S. (4-h.org). Nebraska 4-H grows communities.
Nebraska 4-H grows leaders. For more information
about the 4-H and Youth Development and leadership
opportunities, please contact the University of Nebraska
Lincoln Extension Office in your local county or visit the
website at http://4h.unl.edu/.
Ladder of Youth Participation
Angela Abts, a 4-H and Youth Development Extension
Educator with Nebraska Extension for the past 13 years,
and eight years with K-State Research & Extension. She
focuses her extension programming on working with
youth audiences through school enrichment, afterschool,
First Lego League teams, and traditional 4-H clubs in
Dakota County and statewide.
Photos Contributed by Nebraska Extension.