Upper Cumberland 4-H students got a taste of how legislatures conduct business by attending Tennessee’s 4-H Congress event in Nashville.
4-H students across the state serve as delegates by discussing and voting on today’s political topics. 4-H Congress is also designed to help identify future leaders. Jackson County 4-H Delegate Cailyn Estep (E-Step) said the event will help her with her career aspirations.
“When I get out of high school and out of college, I want to go into law and specifically like governmental law,” Estep said. “That really prepared me and showed me how the inner workings of a congress meeting was held, and everything I just thought it was important to see how our leaders got to vote on things.”
Putnam County 4-H Delegates Jayden Grider also attended the event. Jayden said she has always been interested in how the state’s legislative system works.
“It’s taught me a lot about how stuff works, like how voting works and how everything gets done,” Jayden said. “You don’t know a lot about that until you’re actually there, so it was really awesome.”
Delegates got the opportunity to speak with state leaders like Senator Paul Bailey and Governor Bill Lee. Estep said she hopes other 4-H students will realize how much fun they can have at 4-H Congress.
“I was hesitant to go at first, but after I got to know more people and got to experience more things, it’s just truly eye-opening to see other people’s point of views,” Estep said.
Jaylyn Grider also served as a representative during the event and said she really enjoyed attending the event.
“It was really amazing,” Jaylyn said. “I got to meet a whole bunch of new friends, and I would definitely do it again if I had the chance.”
Estep said she encourages other students to obtain a 4-H membership to not only learn about how the government works but also become an active member in the community. Jayden said 4-H has helped her learn skills like public speaking.
