Future Leaders Gather for First 4-H Teen Leadership Summit in Wakulla County

The leaders of the future took center stage at the inaugural Future Leaders of Wakulla 4-H Teen Leadership Summit, hosted by Wakulla 4-H at the Extension Office in Crawfordville October 13, 2025. The one-day event welcomed over 40 participants aged 11 to 18 from Florida 4-H District Three. Youth from Wakulla, Leon, Gadsden, and Liberty counties participated in a full schedule of workshops, networking, and leadership development.

Held on a school holiday for many students around the region, the summit provided a unique opportunity for teens and pre-teens to explore topics ranging from financial literacy and communication skills to wellness and career readiness. The event was open to all youth, regardless of 4-H membership, with a modest registration fee of $15 covering meals and materials.

A Full Day of Empowerment

The summit began with registration and breakfast snacks, followed by a welcome from 4-H Agent Dr. Rachel Pienta and youth leader Caden, who serves as the 2025-2026 Future Leaders of Wakulla club president. Members of the 2025-2026 Leadership Wakulla class provided remarks to begin the day. Special guest James Lewis, Operations and Consultant Manager with the Wakulla Department of Health, introduced keynote speaker Molly Jones Bowell. Bowell, a former Miss Wakulla queen, inspired attendees with her message on youth leadership and civic engagement.

Family and Consumer Sciences faculty teaches youth about financial management. — Family & Consumer Sciences Agent Sharlee Whiddon taught principles of financial management during the Living On My Own Work at the Teen Leadership Summit. Photo credit: Courtney Wahl.

Throughout the day, teens participated in four concurrent workshop sessions. Topics included:

Podcasting presented by Wakulla 4-H youth
Living on My Own presented by UF/IFAS Extension and FAMU faculty
Mindfulness for Teens presented by Samantha Kennedy
Personal Branding presented by Vicki Bradley, from WTXL
Youth LEAP Program presented by Jeqeta Blackshear, from Career Source Capital Region
Media Ready Training presented by Holly McPhail, Windwood Communications, LLC
Goal Setting presented by Karen Zak, FSU Center for Prevention Research
Oral Health presented by FAMU 4-H youth
Zine Creation presented by Dr. Sabrina Hayes, FAMU Extension
Personality Analysis presented by Amy Frazier, Wakulla Department of Health
Progressing as a Leader presented by Eddie Hand and Camden Smit

Lunch and Leadership Panel

Lunch was served in the Wakulla Extension Arena, featuring chicken fingers, sandwich wraps, salads, and chips. Youth officers representing the 4-H Executive Board came from throughout the

Youth speak at a lunch gathering. — 4-H State Executive Board officers spoke in a panel discussion moderated by Derby Sale. Photo credit: Rachel Pienta.

state to speak at a lunchtime panel moderated by 4-H Citizenship-Leadership Coordinator Derby Sale. The panel of speakers from the Florida 4-H State Executive Board addressed the group, sharing insights on leadership, community involvement, and future opportunities in 4-H.

Closing and Reflection

4-H alumni speaks at event. — 4-H alumni Stephen Hayes spoke about how being a 4-H member has shaped and influenced his life. Photo credit: Rachel Pienta.

The summit concluded with a 4-H alumni speaker, Stephen Hayes, introduced by his mother Dr. Sabrina Hayes, followed by evaluations and snacks. Teens had time to socialize and reflect on their experiences during the final hour of the event. A door prize drawing was held as the day’s final event. Teens won gift cards from area businesses donated by members of the Wakulla 4-H Advisory Council including Wakulla County Sheriff Jared Miller, Wakulla County Commissioner Quincee Messersmith, Verna Brock, Novella Franklin, and Al Pasini.

“This summit was designed to empower youth with the skills and confidence they need to lead in their communities,” said Rachel Pienta. “We’re proud to offer programming that supports positive youth development and prepares teens for success.”

4-H Future Leaders of Wakulla club president Caden Gruebel said, “The Teen Leadership Summit was a really cool opportunity bringing youth from different counties together. I was really excited that Emily Zak and I were able to present our own workshop that we will also be presenting at the Ignite conference next March. I attended other workshops as well; learning about media do’s and don’ts, skills to strengthen my leadership skills, as well as how to set goals and find more confidence in my choices for the future. This is my senior year of high school but I look forward to coming back as a volunteer next year to help with 4-H where I can.”

Collaborative Effort

The summit was made possible through the support of community partners and collaboration between University of Florida (UF) and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Extension faculty. Summit committee members included Jeanie Booth from CareerSource Capital Region, James Lewis from the Wakulla Department of Health, Karen Zak from the Florida State University Center for Prevention Research, Wakulla 4-H volunteer Amanda Murphy-Gruebel, Wakulla 4-H staff members Christy Pearson and Dr. Rachel Pienta, and Family and Consumer Sciences agent Samantha Kennedy.

UF and FAMU faculty and staff supporting the event included the following:

Judy Corbus, UF/IFAS Extension

Suzanne Holloway, UF/IFAS Extension

Sharlee Whiddon, UF/IFAS Extension

Marie Arick, UF/IFAS Extension

Terri Keith, UF/IFAS Extension

Shellie King, UF/IFAS Extension

Crystalgale Hunter, FAMU Extension

Britney Clark, FAMU Extension

Dr. Sabrina Hayes, FAMU Extension

Derby Sale, UF/IFAS Extension

Kelsey Cook, UF/IFAS Extension

Adult volunteers supporting the event included Novella Franklin, Kellie Wilsey, Carolynn Mann, Tonya James, Craig Simmons, Don Tolliver, Verna Brock, Louann Hawes, and Jay Wickham.

Featured session presenters included Thailer Jones, Camden Smit, Eddie Hand, Vicki Bradley, Holly McPhail, Amy Frazier, Dr. Sabrina Hayes, Samantha Kennedy, Karen Zak, Jeqeta Blackshear, and youth from the Wakulla 4-H and FAMU 4-H programs.

Official photography services were provided by Courtney Wahl.

Learn More

For more information about Wakulla 4-H programs or to get involved, visit https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/wakulla/4-h-youth-development/ or contact Rachel Pienta at the Wakulla Extension Office at 850-926-3931. UF/IFAS Extension is an Equal Opportunity Institution.