4-H Youth Gearing Up For Leadership

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (November 24, 2025) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension Chautauqua County’s 4-H Program is excited to announce that it recently held its annual Club Officer Training, providing 36 youth with the opportunity to strengthen leadership skills and gain a deeper understanding of their roles within their 4-H clubs. The training was facilitated by 4-H Volunteer, Mrs. Heather Lesch and FFA Advisors, Mrs. Josephine Laurie and Mrs. Heidi Mihalko, from Cattaraugus-Allegany School, with support from four members of the Cattaraugus-Allegany FFA chapter: MaKayla Wolfe-Widrig, Dannielle Snyder, Leah Lincoln, and Bella Hegner.

The event featured breakout sessions, led by Chautauqua County 4-H volunteers, each dedicated to a specific officer role: President/Vice President, led by Mrs. Jenn Eschenbach; Secretary, led by Mrs. Mary Jantzi; Treasurer, led by Mrs. Anna Crowell; and News Reporter/Historian, led by Mrs. Brandi McIntyer. These sessions helped youth to learn about role responsibilities, meeting management, and effective communication.

Following the breakout sessions, participants reconvened for the Trail Mix activity, led by Mrs. Lesch and the FFA students. This interactive exercise introduced youth to parliamentary procedure, teaching them how to make motions, propose amendments, and conduct meetings in a fun, engaging and practical way.

This training reflects Chautauqua County 4-H’s dedication to cultivating strong, confident youth leaders who are prepared to guide their clubs and contribute to their communities. The event offered an engaging experience that strengthened leadership skills and teamwork among participants across the county.

The 4-H Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated November 24, 2025