From 3rd Grade to Leaders: How 4-H Shaped Two George West Seniors
National 4-H Week Special - Available on iHeartRadio
During National 4-H Week, we sit down with two outstanding young leaders from Live Oak County who embody everything the 4-H program stands for. Camarron Guerrero and Jenna Lee, both seniors at George West High School, share their transformative journey through 4-H and how the organization shaped them into the confident, capable young women they are today.
More Than Animals and Projects: While many people think 4-H is just about livestock shows and agriculture projects, Camarron and Jenna reveal how the program goes far deeper. They discuss the leadership skills, public speaking abilities, community service mindset, and personal confidence they've developed over their years in 4-H, skills that will serve them long after high school.
The 4-H Journey: Both young women reflect on their experiences from their early days in the program through their senior year. They share memorable projects, competitions, and achievements, but also talk about the challenges they faced and how 4-H taught them resilience, responsibility, and teamwork.
Leadership in Action: As seniors, Camarron and Jenna now serve as mentors and role models for younger 4-H members. They discuss what it means to lead by example, how they've learned to guide and encourage others, and why giving back to the program that gave them so much matters. Leadership isn't something they learned about in 4-H: it's something they practice every day.
Life Skills That Last: The conversation explores the practical skills 4-H has taught them: time management, financial literacy through project budgets, record-keeping, goal-setting, and decision-making. These aren't abstract concepts. They're real-world abilities that prepare young people for college, careers, and life beyond their hometown.
Community Connection: Both young women emphasize how 4-H connected them to their community in meaningful ways. Through service projects, county events, and working with local businesses and volunteers, they've built relationships and understanding of how communities function and thrive.
Their Message to Young People: When asked what they'd tell someone considering joining 4-H, Camarron and Jenna offer genuine, heartfelt advice. They acknowledge that it requires commitment and sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone, but the rewards—friendships, experiences, skills, and personal growth—are worth it.
The Four H's: Throughout the conversation, we explore how the organization's core values—Head, Heart, Hands, and Health—manifest in real life. It's not just a motto; it's a framework for developing well-rounded young people who think critically, care deeply, work diligently, and live healthfully.
What 4-H Means for Rural Communities: Camarron and Jenna also discuss 4-H's special significance in rural areas like Live Oak County, where the program provides opportunities for youth development that might not otherwise exist. It's a place where every kid can find their niche, discover their passion, and develop skills regardless of their background or interests.
This National 4-H Week conversation celebrates not just an organization, but the young people it empowers and the communities it strengthens. Camarron Guerrero and Jenna Lee are living proof that 4-H's mission isn't just words on paper. It's transformation in action.
Learn more about 4-H programs in your area and how young people can get involved by visiting 4-H.org or https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/