Youths engage in government through 4-H

Trust levels in government can be improved among youths through programs such as those being implemented in Cabarrus, Catawba and Transylvania counties. Used as models, these county programs can help change the dynamic of youths' views of government.

Cabarrus Citizenship Focus is a partnership between the county 4-H/Cooperative Extension program and two high school teachers who wanted to change how students learn about civics. The program is designed to educate students about what government does.

The program utilizes 29 volunteers, including mayors, school board members, commissioners, town council members, and county government and cooperative extension employees.

Fifty-five 10th grade students visited the Cabarrus County Government Center and interviewed employees, took part in a budget simulation and conducted a panel discussion with elected officials.

As a result of the students' participating in the program, 85 percent reported a better understanding of their citizenship responsibilities in the community. Many of the students said their participation gave them more confidence in talking with elected officials, and 44 percent said they would encourage adults they know to vote in local elections.

Catawba County also started the C3 Civics Leadership Academy for selected high school students. The week-long (35 hours) class focuses on local government issues and economics. Each student then serves a 35-hour internship in a local government department. The event concludes with a dinner for students, their parents and elected officials, and the students make presentations about their visions for Catawba County.

Besides the knowledge gained from the class, some of the students earn academic credit for participating, and others receive community service hours that are required for graduation.

"It has been a good way for kids to get an inside view of county government and for county government to have a chance to meet and mentor some outstanding teens," said Donna Mull, a 4-H agent in Catawba County. "Several teens even continued volunteering in the department where they were assigned after the official internship ended."

Mull said the program was initially funded through a grant from the Civic Education Consortium at the School of Government at UNC-Chapel Hill. Mull said she is now seeking local funds to continue the program.

Youth Speak in Transylvania County is another model program that is a partnership between community groups, both county high schools and the county 4-H program. According to Community Drug Prevention Coordinator Heather Strickler and Ren Uriarte, director of youth services at the Center for Dialogue, in 2009, 92 percent of the 38 participants agreed that the Youth Speak process should be used each year to relay ideas and concerns to the student council and/or principal.

The two-week program helps students engage in respectful dialogue to identify a school or community issue they would like to address. Students develop an action plan to address this issue and present their plan to a panel of citizens, who offer advice and suggestions for tapping other resources for implementing the action plans. According to Mary Arnaudin, a 4-H agent in Transylvania County, the Board of Commissioners has invited students to report on their progress at a commissioners meeting.

Pitt County 4-H put candidates on display for 2008 general election

The Pitt County 4-H event committee held a candidates forum in October 2008 and hosted, among others, Pitt County Commissioner Ephraigm Smith (second from left) and N.C. Court of Appeals Judge Sam Ervin IV (second from right). (Photo courtesy Pitt County 4-H)

Pitt County high school students wanted a first-hand look at the political process, so in October 2008, Pitt County 4-H hosted a successful "Political Candidate Meet and Greet." The event conflicted with a visit to Greenville by Republican Vice President Nominee Sarah Palin, but even so, seven area candidates, including one Congressional candidate and three candidates for the General Assembly, came out to share their views on youth issues.

Ashten Bergstedt, a 15-year-old 4-H member, served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening and led the group through an entertaining and informational evening.

The candidates were introduced by 4-H members serving on the event committee. These 4-H members researched the candidates and wrote introductions for the candidates. Each candidate spoke for approximately three minutes and fielded a youth-related question. The questions were written by youth members of the event committee. Topics that candidates were asked to address included air pollution, teen pregnancy, substance abuse by youths and college affordability.

"Tonight was the first time many of the youth had seen an actual ballot," said 4-H Extension Agent Vanessa Spiron. "Some even commented that they just 'picked names.' That is why we are trying to educate youth about the voting process so they will be able to make an informed decision when they get old enough to vote."