Local 4-H students got the chance to learn life skills at recent leadership conferences.

Four Mower County 4-H‘ers Hannah Mueller, Brett Miller, Rachel Meany and Morgan Beckmann, along with Mower County state ambassadors Tyler Amick, Amy Boullion and Jacob Mueller, joined 450 other Minnesota youth at the 4-H Building Leadership Understanding youth leadership conferences in February.

The five regional two-day BLU leadership events were filled with activities to help youth learn and practice leadership skills they will be able to take back with them to their counties and communities and use throughout their lives.

This year’s conference theme was “The Diamond Within,” which was selected by the 4-H ambassadors because they believe one of the most important things youth can do is to learn about themselves. Activities guided participants in exploring self-awareness, learning about their personalities, how this insight can help youth work with others more effectively, and healthy ways to deal with the stresses they face in their daily lives. There was also plenty of time dedicated to meeting new friends and having fun, with skits, singing, dancing and games designed and facilitated by the ambassadors to help youth participants get to know one another and have a good time.

Using a youth-teaching-youth model, the 4-H BLU leadership conferences are developed and led by 4-H State Ambassadors, Minnesota 4-H youth who have been selected to serve as spokespeople for 4-H, and to educate youth and adults about the importance of youth development, leadership, citizenship, service, teamwork and other life skills.

“One of 4-H’s priorities is to provide citizenship and leadership experiences that guide youth in building relationships, developing communication techniques, and strengthening organizational skills,” said Jacquie Lonning, Extension 4-H Citizenship & Leadership state program director, in a press release. “Through these experiences, youth have the opportunity to learn about themselves, and learn about others, to make a positive impact in their club, home, school, or community.”

To learn more about 4-H in Mower County, contact 4-H Program Coordinator Kristin Krell at 507-437-9552 and visit the website, www.4-H.umn.edu.