Liberty County 4-H leaders Kasey Bozeman and Gypsy James have won the 2015 Greg Yost Memorial Youth in Leadership Award presented by the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents.

The award is presented to 4-H professionals who make contributions to engage young people in decision-making and leadership skills.  

“Each year, NAE4-HA recognizes a handful of 4-H professionals from across the nation for excellent 4-H programming,” Bozeman said. “We are truly honored. While the award is presented to us, the true award winners are the young people we work with every day.”

Realizing that mentorship and educational programming can be beneficial for military youth experiencing challenges, it was decided that the Liberty County Junior/Senior 4-H Club would host a day of activities for Fort Stewart School Age Center youth during a school holiday. The Liberty County 4-H staff gave the Junior/Senior Club ownership of this project, allowing members to plan, implement and evaluate their day of activities.

Sophia Rodriguez, Junior/Senior 4-H Club president, said, “The club chose a science theme because we knew that lots of kids don’t enjoy science in school. We decided that if we planned fun and educational science activities, hopefully, we would be mentors to these children and inspire them to enjoy science.”

Fourteen 4-H youth, two adult volunteers and two 4-H staff members traveled to the School Age Center to implement the activities for 47 participants. Junior/Senior 4-H members provided 10 total educational lessons, focusing on topics such as states of matter, archeology, genetics, kinetic and potential energy and chemical reactions. Tractor Supply of Hinesville donated funds to the Liberty County 4-H program that were used to purchase any needed supplies.

“Being able to allow our 4-H youth to plan and implement the science activities gave them the opportunity to really develop their leadership skills,” said Bozeman. “Additionally, they learned how much preparation work truly goes into getting ready and teaching an activity to others.”

The 4-H/Military Partnership connects local County Extension/4-H resources with military installations in order to provide positive resiliency and life-skill development for military children and youth.  

To learn more about the 4-H programming in Liberty County, contact Bozeman at 876-2133 or uge3179@uga.edu.