National report singles out area youth for their successes

HARTINGTON — A strong work ethic and great community and family support have helped area youth stand out in a national study.

According to a national report compiled by the Bridges- tone Group of Boston, youth in Cedar and Knox counties are doing a better job with economic and social mobility than most other youth in rural America.

The Bridgestone Group worked with the National 4-H Council to complete its research and compile the information.

Cedar County Extension Educator Jackie Steffen and Knox County Economic Development Director Megan Hanefeldt guided Bridgestone Group personnel around Cedar and Knox County communities last year to help them gather information.

Steffen held an Open House at the Cedar County Extension office Friday to better explain the 41-page report to area residents.

Cedar and Knox County communities are well represented and often mentioned in this national report, Steffen said.

Steffen set up 25 site interviews last year with community leaders and business owners across Cedar and Knox counties.

She also helped organize youth focus groups in Laurel, Randolph, Wausa, Crofton, Bloomfield and Verdigre to allow the group to get more one-on-one information from students.

The goal of the study was to find out what is working in these communities, Steffen said.

What researchers found often times surprised them, she said.

“They were surprised the Opioid Crisis hadn’t necessarily reached here. That’s not to say we don’t have drug abuse problems, but we don’t have them to the same extent as many places,” she said.

The report then goes on to explain possible reasons as to why the national health epidemic has not taken root here.

Researchers found the family, community and religious support networks here are big factors in the kids’ success.

“People around here care about their neighbors, and their neighbors’ kids,” she said. “They have community pride and it shows.”

A “we all need to work together attitude’ is also prevalent here.

“Our communities expect people to participate. We just have expectations that people will opt-in,” she said.

There is also an ever-present stay-busy mindset, she said.

“Kids get up early to work out and lift weights or go to practice for speech, swing choir or sports, while others have to help out on the farm or have jobs. Kids always seem to be busy here,” she said.

Steffen said the report also noted the local newspapers also do a good job of showing area youth that they matter and the community is proud of their successes.

“Our local media and the way they support the kids — that really helps to build our kids’ esteem,” she said.

An early emphasis on the importance of finding a career pathway was also noted.

Now that the report is out, area residents have a couple of options, Steffen said.

“We can pat ourselves on our backs now and put this report on a shelf and walk away, or we can take this information, look at it and try to see what we’re doing right and try to figure out what we need to do to stay where we’re at or improve upon where we’re at,” she said.

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