Tallahassee has stories yet to be told, stories that live in the memories of the places and people who have shaped this community for generations. From its complex history, shaped by struggle and the fight for freedom, to its role in the broader arc of American democracy, Tallahassee holds layers of history that often go unnoticed in everyday life. These stories are often overlooked but are essential to understanding how history is lived and remembered. As we reflect on our nation’s 250th anniversary, we are reminded that history is made in communities, through the voices and experiences of everyday people.
The Leon County Extension’s Youth Development Program, in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution and the National 4-H Council, is launching a local Film Club that will allow teens to uncover these stories. Instead of reading history in a textbook, teens will engage with it directly through conversations with people who have witnessed change and contributed meaningfully to the community. In doing so, they will help preserve perspectives that might otherwise be lost, while also discovering how Tallahassee’s story connects to the larger narrative of the United States.
A National Program with Local Impact
The Smithsonian Stories 4-History program invites youth to explore civic engagement through storytelling. With guidance from Smithsonian experts and 4-H leaders, teens will identify a local changemaker, past or present, conduct research and interviews, and create a short film that highlights how individuals have contributed to positive change in Leon County.
This project will function like a small, collaborative film team. Teens will work together to select a topic, develop questions, conduct interviews, and shape real stories into a finished product. They will meet with local community members whose experiences reflect different parts of Tallahassee’s history—whether through civic involvement, cultural contributions, education, or everyday life. Each interview becomes an opportunity to listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and uncover details that bring history to life.
Building Life Skills Through Storytelling
In addition to learning about local history, this project provides teens with hands-on experience developing practical life skills. Working alongside experienced adult mentors, they will practice communicating clearly, asking thoughtful questions, listening deeply, and collaborating effectively to meet shared goals and deadlines.
With this support, young people will gain experience organizing ideas into a finished project that centers the voices and experiences of people in their community. In this way, the project not only builds technical and interpersonal skills, but also encourages participants to think critically about how stories are told, whose perspectives are valued, and how communities construct a shared understanding of their past and present.
Who Should Apply
We are looking for approximately six to eight teens who are:
- Ages 14–18 (high school age)
- Curious about people, places, and stories
- Interested in learning how to tell stories visually
- Willing to engage fully and work as part of a team
No experience is required. This project values curiosity, effort, and a willingness to learn, not prior knowledge.
Commitment and Expectations
This is a team-based project, and everyone’s participation is essential. Teens selected for the project will be expected to:
- Attend all scheduled sessions
- Participate actively in interviews, planning, and production
- Complete the full project, including the final film
Because the project depends on collaboration, consistency, and follow-through, reliable participation is required.
A Unique Opportunity
The Teen Film Club project invites teens to take an active role in shaping how their community’s stories are understood and remembered. By engaging directly with local narratives, conducting interviews, and turning lived experiences into film, they will help bring forward stories that are often missing from the larger narrative. In the process, they will build skills in communication, collaboration, and critical thinking, while also learning to pay attention to whose voices are included in telling history.
Ultimately, the project equips teens to do more than document stories; it empowers them to recognize, elevate, and preserve the voices that define their community.
Applications are open until September 15, 2026. To apply, please click here
For more information, contact the Leon County Extension 4-H Youth Development office at leon4h@ifas.ufl.edu.
1
