Marquette County 4-H youth are making a difference beyond their local community, demonstrating the power of youth voice and leadership. Natalee Dolgner, an active member of the Marquette County Teen Court program, was recently selected as one of six youth from across Wisconsin to serve on a statewide youth panel titled “The Truth About Nicotine: Youth Voices Tell All.” This panel was hosted by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and highlighted authentic youth perspectives on vaping and nicotine use.
Natalee’s selection is a direct reflection of her involvement in local prevention efforts, particularly through collaboration with area schools on the Voices of Vaping campaign. This initiative has focused on raising awareness about the risks of vaping, empowering young people to share their experiences and educate their peers. Through these efforts, Natalee has developed confidence, leadership skills and a passion for advocating for healthier choices among youth.
As part of the statewide panel, Natalee joined five other youth leaders to discuss the realities of nicotine use, the influences facing young people today and strategies to prevent youth vaping. The panel provided a platform for youth to speak candidly about their experiences and to contribute to a broader conversation impacting public health and youth well-being.
The impact of this opportunity continues to grow. To date, there have been more than 275 views of the panel discussion on YouTube. This helps extend the reach of these important youth perspectives.
Natalee’s participation highlights the meaningful ways 4-H programming supports youth in becoming informed, engaged citizens who use their voices to create positive change. Programs like Teen Court and partnerships such as the Voices of Vaping campaign provide critical opportunities for young people to build leadership skills while addressing issues that matter to them and their communities.
Marquette County 4-H is proud to support youth like Natalee as they step into leadership roles and represent their communities at the state level. Her work exemplifies how 4-H empowers young people to learn by doing, lead with purpose and make a lasting impact.