Morris, Ill – Students from across Grundy County came together last week to participate in Government Day, a program put on annually by University of Illinois Extension which teaches civic engagement and community leadership.
“Civic engagement is such an important concept for youth to learn,” says Brooke Katcher, 4-H engagement coordinator, “Government Day provides a hands-on learning environment for youth is makes a huge difference. Students who participate in this program are able to experience the fullness of county government and how they might be able to make a difference in their community in the future.”
Katcher had previously led the event for twelve years before transitioning into her current role of 4-H engagement for Illinois Extension. She attended this year’s event in a supporting role.
After writing essays about the community leader position they are interested in, forty winning students attended the Government Day event to hear directly from community changemakers.
This year’s event was held in partnership with Chief Steffes of the Morris Fire and Ambulance District, Grundy County Sheriff’s office who provided tours, and First United Methodist Church who provided their Wesley Center.
Community leaders from across the county participated – including the Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau, WCSJ Radio, Grundy Chamber of Commerce, Rep. Jason Bunting, Circuit Clerk Cori Trotter, Coroner John Callahan, Grundy County Clerk and Recorder, Grundy County Health Department, and the Grundy County State's Attorney.
Each leader gave a presentation about their job and answered questions from students.
“It was great to speak about the importance of the Farm Bureau and connect with Grundy County students about agriculture’s impact on daily life; something that not many people think about,” said Jenna Siegel, manager of the Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau who participated as a community leader.
Siegel, who just recently took on the role of manager, shared that she remembers participating in this long running annual event:
“I remember participating in Government Day when I was a student here in Morris. To have this event mark one of my first outings as the new manager is very fitting – these students are the future face of agriculture or any industry that they choose a career in. If I can inspire them to become changemakers in an industry they are passionate about, then I’ll have done my job well.”
After presentations by leaders, students made their way to the Grundy County Jail for a tour and presentation, before heading to Morris Fire Station One for a presentation, games, and lunch.
“Every year, youth come away with a deeper understanding of their community and the leaders that make it all work,” says Katcher, “we are thankful to all who make this event possible each year.”
More information about Illinois Extension and 4-H can be found online at extension.illinois.edu/gkw or by calling 815-942-2725.
Written By: Anthony Warmack, Communications & Marketing Coordinator
Sources: Brooke Katcher, 4-H Outreach and Engagement Coordinator; Jenna Siegel, Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau Manager.
Press Access: Photos to accompany this story are available to download for media use. Contact Anthony Warmack for press questions and interview requests.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities, two times more likely to make healthier choices, two times more likely to be civically active, and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.