The perceived impact of the national junior angus show and conference on youth leadership and life skill development

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships between participating in the National Junior Angus Show and perceived gain in youth leadership and life skill development, as well as to describe a relationship between 4-H participation, FFA participation, and demographic characteristics with youth leadership and life skill development. The target population for this study was youth who participated in the 2016 National Junior Angus Show and Conference (n= 851). An overall response rate of 50.8 % was attained in this study (n= 127). Youth provided their perceived gain in of youth leadership and life skill development, indicated which of 23 youth development activities they participated in, indicated their participation in 4-H, FFA, or other youth development organization, and also responded to basic demographic questions following the administration of an electronic survey instrument. Based on findings from this study, it was concluded that the 2016 National Junior Angus Show and Conference did have a perceived positive change on youth's leadership and life skill development. The researcher also concluded that age was a significant predictor of youth's perceived leadership and life skill development. Overall dosage of youth development activities showed significance across three psychological constructs The researcher also found that two of the 23 activities accounted for a significant perceived gain in youth leadership or life skill development across five psychological constructs. Further research is recommended through a qualitative lens to elicit more descriptive information on the experiences and growth that youth develop as the result of their participation in National Junior Livestock Shows and Conferences.