By RACHEL PIENTA
4-H Director
Fifty-five young people from Wakulla, Gadsden, Leon and Martin counties gathered at UF/IFAS Wakulla Extension on Oct. 12 for the 2026 4-H Big Bend Youth Leadership Summit, a full day devoted to leadership development, career exploration, teamwork and service.
Designed for youth ages 11 to 18, the summit encouraged participants to move beyond simply learning about leadership and begin practicing it. Throughout the day, youth exchanged ideas, developed practical skills and built connections with peers from across North Florida.
Morning keynote speaker Molly Bowell opened the summit by challenging participants to recognize their potential and use their voices, talents and experiences to make a difference. Her message established an encouraging tone for a day centered on the summit’s theme: Explore. Connect. Create. Lead.
Participants then selected from a diverse lineup of interactive workshops led by youth and community partners. Sessions offered opportunities to explore advocacy, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, workforce development, environmental responsibility, hospitality, STEM and community engagement. Workshop presenters represented FAMU 4-H, Wakulla 4-H Communications, UF/IFAS Extension, Gadsden County Extension 4-H, CareerSource Capital Region, KWCB Youth, the Wakulla County School Board and Tallahassee State College.
FAMU 4-H presenters Sabrina Hayes, Crystalgale Hunter, Thailer Jones and Sherika Hayes led “Melt, Mold, Make: 3D Pen Maker Lab,” where youth used creativity and design thinking to produce personalized keychains while learning about STEM concepts. FAMU 4-H presenters Thyray Gonzaby, Cheyanne Hunter, Sabrina Hayes and Thailer Jones also led the fast-paced “Mission Possible” team challenge. Caden Gruebel and Warner Counce, representing Wakulla 4-H Communications, helped participants strengthen communication skills through podcasting and youth advocacy in “The Power of the Youth Voice.”
Financial education was another central part of the summit. Lauretta Compton and Tucker Hafner of 4-H led “Money Moves for Teens,” helping youth practice budgeting, saving, goal setting and informed spending. Samantha Kennedy of UF/IFAS Extension Wakulla County facilitated two sessions of the “Living on My Own” simulation, giving participants a realistic look at balancing income, household needs, family responsibilities and unexpected expenses.
The summit’s additional presenters connected leadership to service, careers and community action. Eddie Hand of the Wakulla County School Board and Dr. Camden Smit of Tallahassee State College explored intentional service through “Unreasonable Hospitality.” Evie Blount and Cheyanne Hunter, representing UF/IFAS Extension, led “Community Connections: Advocacy in Action,” while Jecheta Blackshear and Eric West of CareerSource Capital Region introduced workforce-development resources and career opportunities. Caden Gruebel and Hiroshi Yokiosha of KWCB Youth engaged participants in environmental challenges through “Eco Games X.” Evie Blount of Gadsden County Extension 4-H connected judging and livestock experiences to career-ready skills in “Beyond the Blue Ribbon,” and Kyndra Light of Tallahassee State College helped aspiring entrepreneurs transform ideas into potential products or services and practice short business pitches in “From Idea to Income.”
Lunch speaker Derby Sale continued the day’s focus on leadership and personal growth, offering participants another perspective on turning ideas and experiences into meaningful action. The lunch program also gave youth an opportunity to connect with participants from other counties and reflect on what they were learning.
The summit’s hands-on format demonstrated that leadership can take many forms. It can mean speaking confidently about an important issue, working through a challenge with a team, making a responsible financial decision, welcoming someone with kindness or developing an idea that benefits others.
Bringing together 55 participants from four counties also expanded the impact of the event beyond a single day. Youth returned home with new knowledge, stronger leadership skills and relationships that can support future collaboration across county lines.
The 2026 4-H Big Bend Youth Leadership Summit was held at UF/IFAS Wakulla Extension, 84 Cedar Avenue in Crawfordville. The event reflected 4-H’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people to develop confidence, responsibility, practical life skills and a sense of belonging.
As participants departed, they carried with them more than workshop materials and new information. They left with a greater understanding that their ideas matter, their voices have value and leadership begins when they choose to use their abilities in service to others
