June 23, 2025 | Ramsey County, Minnesota

A few weeks after our first county presentation in Carver County, I had the chance to present the Metropolitan Council 4-H Climate Action Project again. This time at the Ramsey County Extension Committee meeting.

This presentation felt different right away because I was the only youth presenter available that day. Since I would be presenting the entire project by myself, I spent extra time going through the slides, practicing the transitions, and making sure I was ready to explain each part clearly.

I also updated the presentation based on feedback we received after the Carver County meeting. That first presentation helped me see which parts needed more explanation and where the story of the project could be clearer, so I tried to carry those lessons into this one.

The Ramsey County meeting was also much larger than the previous meeting, with county commissioners, Extension committee members, educators, county staff, and other community leaders in the room. Standing at the front by myself was definitely a little intimidating at first.

Luckily, I was not really there alone. Lucy Tschida from the Metropolitan Council and my mentor Leah Larson came in person to support me. Having them there made a huge difference and gave me a lot more confidence before and during the presentation.

I shared how youth across the metro had interviewed community members, analyzed their responses, identified common climate-action priorities and barriers, and turned those findings into recommendations for local leaders.

Presenting the project a second time also showed me how much a presentation can improve through feedback and repetition. I felt more comfortable answering questions, explaining the project without relying as heavily on the slides, and adjusting what I said based on the audience.

I’m very grateful to the Ramsey County Extension Committee for inviting me to present and for giving me the opportunity to hear feedback directly from county leaders and community members. I’m also especially thankful to Lucy and Leah for showing up and supporting me that day.

Walking into a much larger meeting as the only presenter was nerve-racking, but by the end, it became another experience that helped me grow more confident speaking about our work and representing the project on my own.