Local 4-H Group Highlighted At State-Wide Event

By GRACIE LEAVITT

The Progress

The Teenage Leadership Corp (TLC), a service-oriented group that is part of the Moapa Valley 4-H program, was invited to attend a “Taste Of Extension” event held on Tuesday, Aug. 30 at the Clark County Government Center in Las Vegas. The event was to highlight UNR Extension programs offered in Clark County.

Local TLC youth attending included Talon Newsom, Kinsley Mulcock, Nikelle Mulcock, Gracie Leavitt, Kali Kynaston, Emme Bowler, Faith Kelley, Demsie Walker, Kenzie Hughes and adult advisors Diana Walker and Wendy Mulcock.

The TLC was asked to present a five minute speech about who they are and why they are involved with 4-H.

Many county and state officials were in attendance and eager to speak with the TLC members. These included former Governor Brian Sandoval, Assemblywoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno, Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick and others.

At the event, many Cooperative Extension programs from across the county set up display stations all along the main conference area.

The TLC group got to meet 4-H youth from other parts of the state including siblings Degan and Shea Shaner from Bunkerville.

Giving speeches at the event were Brian Sandoval and Daniele Monroe-Moreno. They each talked about the impact that 4-H had had on their lives as youth and even now as adults,

Time was also given for the TLC speech which was given by TLC member Kinsley Mulcock. Mulcock’s brief speech was filled with great reflection, knowledge and information on the local TLC group.
Mulcock talked about the main objective of TLC being of paying it forward.

“We are always finding ways to help our community,” she said. “Me personally, I love service. I always look forward to service projects with friends, family or even at church. TLC brought a whole other side to service, it means more than just helping people, it can affect the way people live for the rest of their lives. Or it can change how someone feels about something and can even help their mental health.”
“It’s amazing when we can help hundreds, or thousands of people at a time,” Mulcock added. “But sometimes it’s just one.”

For example, Mulcock talked about being shy when she first joined TLC. Now, however, she talks and presents regularly, and the group has changed “her heart.”,

“Youth are more likely to listen to a youth-led group in serious areas whether it be mental health, addiction or just assisting others,” Mulcock said. “So when I say By the kids, from the kids, for the kids, I really mean it.”

TLC adult advisor Dianna Walker said that she was proud of how well Mulcock did in encapsulating the TLC experience.

“She stood up there, poised and confident, in frotn of some of Nevada’s major decision makers, and gave a heartfelt explanation of the positive impact 4-H has had on her,” Walker said. “The entire rotunda room went silent and there were many people brought to tears. It was incredible.”

After this presentation, many adults and youth in attendance were interested to learn more about the TLC group.

Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick invited the TLC group , as well as Virgin Valley 4-H youth Degan and Shea Shaner, upstairs to her office to discuss more about the group’s goals and inquire about opportunities for the future.

“The Commissioner was great with the kids!” Walker said. “She was informal with them and encouraged them to keep working hard to make a difference in their community and to find a way to get things done by never taking no for an answer.”

Walker said that the event had a “huge impact” on the TLC group.
“The best part was to sit back and watch the TLC kids shine,” she said. “The TLC was unexpectedly highlighted, and rightfully so; because they have worked extremely hard this year to make a difference in their community.”