STILLWATER, Okla. (November 6, 2025) — Two Creek County 4-H members were recently elected to leadership positions during the inaugural Oklahoma 4-H Junior Governor Conference, held November 1 at Agricultural Hall in Stillwater.
Riley Braden, a fourth-year member of the Bristow 4-H Club, was elected as the next Oklahoma 4-H Junior Governor. Joining her in state leadership, Victoria Justice, also a fourth-year Bristow 4-H member, was elected to serve as a cabinet member in the program’s first-ever administration. The inauguration ceremony will take place on February 2, 2026.
Other Creek County 4-H members in attendance included Jolene McGrew of Kellyville 4-H, and Colby Hill, Payden Thompson, Elias Braden, and Sadie Bryant, all of Bristow 4-H.
The Oklahoma 4-H Junior Governor Program is a hands-on civics education initiative for 4-H members in grades 4–6. The program introduces youth to the structure and function of government, civic engagement, and the election process through interactive activities and discussions. The event concludes with the election of one 4-H member to serve as Junior Governor and the formation of a cabinet.
Launched November 1, 2025, the program is a partnership between Oklahoma 4-H and the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, with sponsorship from Google. It aims to inspire youth to become active, informed citizens and future community leaders.
“I’m most excited to learn more about leadership in my new job as Oklahoma 4-H Junior Governor,” said Riley Braden. “I hope to learn how to speak louder and with more confidence during this next year. I am most excited to attend the Heroes Ball and work with my new friends that I made in Stillwater at the Oklahoma 4-H Junior Governor Day.”
“We are incredibly proud of Riley, Victoria, and all of our Creek County 4-H members who participated,” said Randi Hill, Creek County OSU Extension Educator and County Extension Director. “Programs like this give young people the chance to see how their voices matter and to experience leadership in action.”
For more information about 4-H programs in Creek County, contact the Creek County OSU Extension Office at 918-224-2192 or visit https://extension.okstate.edu/
More photos can be found on Facebook.
