\u00a0When you are looking to get your child involved in something \u2013 Jose and Michelle Chavez of Moline, IL think 4-H is one of the best programs around. \u00a0\u201cI know a lot of people are concerned with getting their kids in sports so they develop physically.\u201d said Michelle, \u201cI hope they think it\u2019s just as important to develop their character and their minds. \u00a0If so \u2013 they should look into 4-H because it\u2019s an amazing place for that.\u201d she said. \u00a0The Chavez have watched their 14 year old daughter Maya excel in building her leadership skills in 4-H. \u00a0<\/p>\n
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Maya first got involved in the Teens as Teachers program \u201cThat\u2019s where 4-H staff train us on lessons and then we present them to elementary kids at after-school programs.\u201d explained Maya. \u00a0\u201cI picked rainforest ecology and it was so much fun to learn about the environment! \u00a0I got to make the lessons fun for the kids and add my own personal touches.\u201d she said \u201cThe kids taught me so much too.\u201d Maya said she learned how to have fun as a teacher. \u201cIt was fun to see that they were interested and they asked some pretty neat questions.\u201d \u00a0She appreciated the support of the adult mentor who was also in the classroom and could assist when needed. Diane Baker, 4-H Youth Development Educator for University of Illinois Extension explains, \u201cThe goal is that the teens learn what we give them and take the lead on the program. \u00a0We adult volunteers are there to provide encouragement and support if they run into a situation or question they are not familiar with.\u201d said Baker who is impressed with Maya and how much she\u2019s grown as a leader. \u00a0<\/p>
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Maya got involved in other 4-H leadership programs. \u00a0The 4-H Teen Hunger Ambassadors is one project Maya has really embraced. \u00a0\u201cEach month we prepare a meal for those in our community who are in need.\u201d she said. One of the projects she is most proud of was a fundraiser she planned to support the Teen Hunger Ambassadors. \u00a0She arranged for the Teen Hunger Ambassadors to be the charity of the month at Comedy Sports last year. \u00a0\u201cEvery Friday for one month we got to tell the audience before a Comedy Sports show about our cause and then we collected donations from anyone who wanted to help.\u201d said Maya. \u00a0They were able to raise $430 through donations there. \u00a0She was also involved in the food packaging event that was part of the 4-H Feeding and Growing our Community which packaged \u00a050,000 meals for the RiverBend Food Pantry. \u00a0\u201cI know I\u2019m making a difference in 4-H.\u201d she said. \u00a0Because of her strong belief in the program, Maya joined Speaking for Illinois 4-H. \u00a0\u201cWe attended a training here in the Quad Cities on how to speak to legislators about 4-H.\u201d she explained. \u00a0\u201cIt was such an honor for me to get to go to Springfield and go inside the capital and talk with legislators and let them know why 4-H is important.\u201d said Maya. \u00a0\u201cI got to meet and shake hands with Lisa Madigan, Jesse White, Rep Mike Jacobs, and the Governor\u201d She also enjoyed meeting other teens from across the state. \u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/166.62.41.2\/~holaamericanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Prestamos-Para-Mi_Web-banner-600x350.jpg\")
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