Lillian Yoder, founder of 4-H Kinzua Creative Snappers, stands in front of her booth in the 4-H building at the Warren County Fair.

When 15-year-old Lillian Yoder was participating in the 2023 Warren County Fair parade, she was asked what she would like to see for the youth at the fair. Yoder wanted a 4-H group where animals were not a requirement to participate in the fair.

After the pageant, she founded a new club with her aunt Maryanne Elder.

The club was formed with the help of Justin Heasley, 4-H Extension Educator, and under the mentorship of 2023 Fair Queen Kaitlyn Sleeman and Toni Gates, who helped form a new club.

In its first year, the Kinzua Creative Snappers had an impressive nine members ranging in age from 8 to 18. The club also accepts 7-year-old Cloverbuds.

Yoder said she enjoys helping others in her group find their voice and learn leadership skills.

The group meets once a month on a Sunday and at each meeting a different member presents an artistic medium they enjoy working with.

By giving each participant the opportunity to take responsibility and lead, the predominantly introverted members were able to open up and communicate more easily.

The club has undertaken projects in engineering, foraging, painting and textiles, as well as community service projects such as making Valentine’s Day cards for the residents of Warren Manor.

In addition to the Kinzua Creative Snappers, Yoder is a member of the 4-H Teen Leadership Council and a junior representative on the Development Committee.

She received the Best Essay award at the 2023 and 2024 Warren Fair Pageant events and attends Reach Cyber ​​School.

For more information about joining the Kinzua Creative Snappers or other 4-H opportunities, contact the Extension Office at [email protected] or 814-563-9388.