A house RESOLUTION

 

to recognize and honor the South Carolina 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program and congratulate those who participate at all levels upon the tenth anniversary of preparing the state's young people for leadership.

 

Whereas, founded in June 2016 in honor of the late Senator Clementa C. Pinckney, the South Carolina 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program was established to carry forward his enduring legacy of faith, servant leadership, civic responsibility, and unwavering commitment to community. Created in the wake of profound loss, the program stands as a living tribute to Senator Pinckney's belief in the power and promise of young people and the responsibility of leadership rooted in service and integrity; and

 

Whereas, for a decade, the 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program has served as a premier youth leadership experience of South Carolina 4-H and Clemson Cooperative Extension, equipping middle and high schoolers with the skills and civic awareness to lead with humility, compassion, and integrity; and

 

Whereas, over the past ten years, the program has continued to excel in cultivating leadership among young people, empowering them to make meaningful and measurable contributions within their schools, clubs, communities, and across the State of South Carolina. This sustained commitment to developing the next generation of principled leaders is demonstrated through four dynamic pillars of engagement: Leadership Conference, Leadership Camp, Mentor Groups, and Leadership Roundup, experiences that create extensive leadership support for students at multiple stages of development; and

 

Whereas, the 4-H Pinckney Leadership Camp offers a transformative summer event for rising seventh and eighth grade students blending interactive leadership workshops, team-building challenges, high-ropes experiences, community engagement, and traditional camp activities to build confidence, resilience, collaboration, and character; and

 

Whereas, the 4-H Pinckney Leadership Conference, hosted at Clemson University for rising tenth and eleventh graders, offers in-depth leadership development through communication and problem-solving workshops, civic engagement initiatives, career and college readiness sessions, professional networking opportunities, and personal exposure to college life; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina 4-H Pinckney Leadership Roundup convenes youth leaders from diverse backgrounds across the State to participate in hands-on leadership sessions, engage in meaningful dialogue centered on personal excellence, and connect with higher education professionals and community leaders who model pathways to future success; and

 

Whereas, in 2020, the program expanded its impact by launching Mentor Groups, a structured statewide initiative connecting 4-H alumni mentors with current high school students. Through this initiative, over one hundred hours of meaningful mentoring and leadership guidance have been provided to youth across the State, reinforcing intergenerational leadership development and sustained engagement; and

 

Whereas, since its inception, the 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program has impacted more than four thousand youth leaders and reached forty-two of the State's forty-six counties, in a deliberate commitment to statewide access and inclusion. Among students who have graduated high school in the past two years, eighty-six percent have continued their education at colleges and universities within the State, demonstrating the program's strong emphasis on college readiness, workforce preparation, and long-term civic engagement; and

 

Whereas, as the program commemorates its tenth anniversary in 2026, it not only celebrates a decade of measurable impact, but also reaffirms its continued commitment to preparing principled, civic-minded leaders equipped to strengthen South Carolina's communities for generations. The South Carolina 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program is a testament to the enduring power of leadership grounded in service, character, and purpose and to the belief that investing in youth is one of the most meaningful ways to honor the legacy of Senator Clementa C. Pinckney. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the South Carolina 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program and congratulate those who participate at all levels upon the tenth anniversary of preparing the state's young people for leadership.

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