“4-H shows you lots of different worlds and because of 4-H I was inspired for my career,” tells Pastor Tony Kobak, feature speaker for the 2018 4-H Southeast Regional Energizer held at Advance Elementary School in Advance, Missouri on Saturday, February 17. 

Nearly 100 4-H youth and 30 4-H volunteers from 8 counties in the Southeast Region attended the event. The focus of the day was the second H – Heart of the 4-H pledge. The second H is heart to greater loyalty. 

Pastor Kobak challenged the youth to show that their heart is in their work and in their lives.  Throughout the day youth attended workshops focused on skills of the heart such as communication, cooperation, concern for others, teamwork, caring, community service, and learning about self. Adult workshops focused on answering questions about being a 4-H leader and club development. The day ended with a dance and opportunities for the youth to learn microwave cooking and using virtual reality goggles. 

Missouri 4-H is a community of nearly 230,000 youth ages 5-18 from all lifestyles - rural farming communities, suburban schoolyards, and urban neighborhoods.  4-H youth learn leadership, citizenship, and life skills, guided by over 9,100 caring adult volunteers statewide. 

University of Missouri Extension 4-H is the youth development program of the nation’s Cooperative Extension system.