By Melissa Guillen –
Families filled the room and volunteers listened intently as young people stepped forward to present. Ventura County’s annual 4-H Presentation Day brought youth, families, and community members together to celebrate creativity, leadership, and learning.
Throughout the day, 4-H members shared creative projects they had been working on, taught others about topics they care about, and practiced communicating their ideas in front of an audience. For some, this was their first time speaking publicly, yet they did so with remarkable confidence and enthusiasm.
One highlight of the event was the Fashion Revue, where youth proudly showcased clothing and items they designed and created themselves. As they walked the stage, participants shared the work that went into their projects from selecting fabrics to learning sewing techniques, demonstrating their creativity, skill, and pride in what they had accomplished.
Equally striking was the incredible support surrounding these 4-H youth members. Families filled the room, cheering them on and celebrating their efforts. Volunteers guided participants through the process, and older youth encouraged younger members as they prepared to present.
The event served as a reminder that raising confident, capable young people truly takes a village. Research consistently shows that having supportive, trusted adults in their lives is one of the strongest protective factors for young people during adolescence. Youth who feel connected to caring adults are more likely to develop resilience, succeed academically, and avoid high-risk behaviors such as substance misuse.1
Youth development programs like 4-H help create those connections by surrounding youth with mentors, volunteers, and community members who encourage them to grow and lead.
When youth are given opportunities to explore their interests, lead, and share their voices, they grow into confident and capable leaders.
Presentation Day also serves as a launching point for youth leadership opportunities that extend beyond the event itself. Building on the skills they develop through presentations and projects, several teens in Ventura County 4-H are now helping pilot a new “Teens as Teachers” initiative.
In this model, older youth step into leadership roles by teaching younger children in their communities. This spring, participating teens will lead a series of workshops for youth in grades K-3 focused on mindfulness, yoga, meditation, and positive affirmations. Through these sessions, teens will guide younger participants in learning strategies for emotional awareness, self-confidence, and healthy ways to manage stress.
Programs like this allow teens not only to deepen their own leadership and communication skills, but also to serve as mentors for younger youth. In many ways, it reflects the heart of youth development: young people learning, growing, and then sharing those skills to support the next generation.
Seeing youth progress from presenting their own projects to leading and teaching others is one of the most rewarding parts of programs like 4-H. It demonstrates how confidence and leadership can grow when young people are given opportunities to practice and master new skills in supportive community environments. www.facebook.com/venturacounty4h.
Melissa Guillen is a 4-H Youth Development Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension.
Families interested in learning more about Ventura County 4-H programs and opportunities for youth are encouraged to visit:
https://ucanr.edu/county/cooperative-extension-ventura-county/ventura-county-4-h
Photos by Damien Brooks.
Article contributed by: Melissa Guillen, 4-H Youth Development Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension
