The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) has announced the election of new youth leaders through its Kid Governor® and 4-H Junior Governor programmes, continuing its mission to educate children about civic responsibility and the importance of voting. The initiatives, now central to OICA’s youth outreach work, have been praised for nurturing leadership skills and inspiring young Oklahomans to engage in public service.
Rewarding but Challenging Work
The OICA, founded to improve the wellbeing of children across Oklahoma, has described its work as both rewarding and emotionally demanding. “The statistics and real-world conversations about the things which impact children often wear on our team as we work to improve children’s lives,” the organisation noted.
However, the institute said the Kid Governor® and Junior Governor programmes remain “one of the best and brightest parts of our work,” providing a sense of hope and renewal. “Through these projects, we see the hope these young Oklahomans have for a better future; that reinvigorates us, knowing we truly are making a difference,” OICA said.
Origins of the Kid Governor® Programme
The Kid Governor® initiative was first introduced in 2015, selecting a young Oklahoman to serve in a symbolic leadership role aimed at promoting civic engagement. OICA collaborated with the Connecticut Democracy Project to develop lesson plans for fifth-grade teachers, ensuring students gain a practical understanding of government, civics, and the value of voting once they reach adulthood.
Adapting to Changing Times
After schools expressed concern last year and several classrooms withdrew from the programme, OICA adapted by partnering with Oklahoma 4-H to deliver the initiative through a one-day leadership conference. The event, aimed at pupils in fourth through sixth grades, resulted in the election of an “impressive slate of young leaders” for the 2025 term.
OICA expressed appreciation to the outgoing 2025 youth officials:
Kid Governor® Emma Stephens (Ardmore); Kid Lieutenant Governor Shawn Ferrell (Orlando); Kid Secretary of State Lawson Ream (Alva); and Kid Cabinet members Clayton Rohla (Roff), Ryan Young (Chickasha), Koda White (Vici), Alburto Harmon (Perry), and Harper Witt (Antlers).
“I want to thank Kid Governor® Emma Stephens from Ardmore; Kid Lt. Gov. Shawn Ferrell from Orlando; Kid Secretary of State Lawson Ream from Alva; and Kid Cabinet members Clayton Rohla from Roff, Ryan Young from Chickasha, Koda White from Vici, Alburto Harmon from Perry, and Harper Witt from Antlers for their work this year,” the organisation said.
Rebuilding and Expanding Opportunities
For 2026, OICA has expanded its approach, maintaining its partnership with 4-H while reintroducing the classroom component. This has created two separate opportunities for children to participate in civic learning.
The 4-H Junior Governor conference, held on 1 November with more than 40 students, selected its new leaders, while the classroom-based Kid Governor® election recently concluded with 1,187 students completing the civics curriculum.
Kid Governor® 2026: Leading with Purpose
Oklahoma’s newly elected Kid Governor® for 2026 is Katelyn Talley, a fifth grader from Valliant in southeastern Oklahoma, whose campaign focused on animal abuse prevention.
Kid Lieutenant Governor Sophia Chavarria Rivera, from Bethany, centred her platform on preventing bullying, while Kid Secretary of State Daphne Tanequodle, from Lawton, was elected on a pledge to address homelessness.
4-H Junior Governor Programme Winners
The 4-H Junior Governor election produced another distinguished group of young leaders:
-
Junior Governor Riley Braden, a home-schooled student from Brisco in Creek County, was elected on a platform to protect and promote the sanctity of life.
-
Junior Lieutenant Governor Whitlee Moser, from Perkins Tryon Intermediate School in Payne County, focused on education.
-
Junior Secretary of State Riley Rudder, from Rattan Elementary in Pushmataha County, campaigned for turtle conservation.
The two Junior Cabinet Members are:
-
Lizzie Marlin, from Bernita Hughes Elementary in Adair, whose platform promotes smoking prevention and education.
-
Victoria Justice, a home-schooled student from Depew in Creek County, who aims to prevent debt collectors from making spam calls.
Inauguration and Future Vision
The newly elected student leaders will be formally inaugurated at a ceremony in the Oklahoma State Capitol on 2 February 2026, coinciding with the opening day of the state’s legislative session.
OICA emphasised that such initiatives are essential for instilling civic engagement at an early age and ensuring future generations value participation in democratic processes. Members of the public interested in supporting the programme — which relies on donations to fund student travel and operational costs — can contact the organisation at [email protected] or by phone at (405) 236-KIDS (5437).
Building a Generation of Informed Citizens
As Oklahoma continues to invest in youth leadership development, OICA’s Kid Governor® and 4-H Junior Governor programmes stand out as models for nurturing informed, compassionate, and civically engaged citizens of the future.
