The Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame

Transcription

1 The Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame November 10, 2011 The W. Gaines Smith Environmental Science Education Building Alabama 4-H Center The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator and employer by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

2 The Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame November 10, 2011 The W. Gaines Smith Environmental Science Education Building Alabama 4-H Center The Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame recognizes individuals and organizations that have had a significant impact on the 4-H Youth Development program, its members and leaders. The Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc. and Alabama 4-H honors, remembers and pays tribute to those who have impacted the lives of Alabama youth by their commitment To Make The Best Better. Master of Ceremonies Margaret Lawrence Specialist III, Communications & Marketing Alabama Cooperative Extension System Welcome Dorman K. Grace Chairman Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc. Recognition of Inductees Margaret Lawrence Closing Remarks C. Lamar Nichols Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development Alabama Cooperative Extension System

3 Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame Inductees Barry Burton Jefferson County 4-H Alumnus and Volunteer Barry Burton was a Jefferson County 4-H member for nine years, receiving awards for competitive events at the local, county, district, state and national levels. He participated in all 4-H project areas but specialized in entomology, wood science and leadership. Burton attended National 4-H Congress in Chicago in 1988 where he was recognized as a National Scholarship Record Book winner in entomology, and he was chosen as an Alabama delegate to Citizenship Washington Focus and National 4-H Conference in Washington, D. C. Burton served as a counselor at the Alabama 4-H Center for four years where he developed training programs for firearms, archery and the ropes course. As a 4-H member, Burton held officer positions of president of his local club and of the Jefferson County 4-H Council. In 1995, Burton graduated cum laude from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a bachelor of sciences in criminal justice, and he currently is a United States probation officer. Burton has continued to serve Alabama 4-H at the county, regional and state levels. He has been the guest speaker at the Jefferson County 4-H Awards Banquet, interviewed applicants for the Regional 4-H Council, judged What Wood U Build at the state contest and served as the facilitator for the state contest the last two years. Burton believes in the mission of 4-H and is dedicated to serve as a community leader in teaching youth the benefits of 4-H. Nominated by: Jefferson County Extension 1

4 Joe Carothers Houston County 4-H Partner Joe Carothers has made a significant impact in the lives of youth in agriculture in the Houston County area. A graduate of Winfield High School, Marion County, he successfully managed a dairy herd and achieved numerous honors in the dairy project in both 4-H and FFA. He showed the state champion Guernsey cow and cultivated a top producing dairy herd. His 30-year career as agriculture teacher brought many rewarding moments as he touched and changed lives of his students at both Cottonwood High School and Ashford High School. Through 4-H, his students participated in traditional events such as tractor driving, livestock showing and judging, parliamentary procedure and project achievement. The Tri-States Beef Expo held in Dothan has relied on Carothers skills for many years. He has provided crucial expertise at the show, including preparing youth to show in the event, managing classes of beef cattle and finding donor support for the event to continue and thrive. He has been a member and past-president of the Tri-State Beef Expo board of directors. Has also chaired the Houston County Steer Show and supported the Houston County Heifer Show. He is the sponsor of the Supreme Heifer Bred and Owned Award. Carothers is on the National Peanut Festival Livestock Show Committee. He initiated the Junior Beef Cattle Show at the National Peanut Festival in the early 1900 s for youth exhibitors. He is a member of the Houston County Farmers Federation and past-president of Choc Pea River Water Management Association. The Board of Directors provides funding for Groundwater Education Day for 1,200 Houston County fourth graders each year. Carothers served 30 years in the Alabama Legislature House of Representatives. A 1959 Auburn University graduate, he served two years in the military before marrying Barbara Burns and raising their two sons, Robbins and Merritt and enjoying their three grandchildren. Nominated by: Houston County Extension Donna Riddle Lydia Sexton Sandy Shepard Barbara Shipman Scott Skelton Dan Smalley Jack Smith Ryan Sprinkle Deborah Stabler Elizabeth Sykora Carolyn Taylor Ann Thompson Thompson Tractor Barbara Thorne* John M. Bubba Trotman Ruth Sherman Underwood Annette Mehurg Wardrup Milton A. Buzz Wendland Bob Whittenburg Milton Williams Ronnie Williams* Tommy & Carol Williams Sue Wills Beverly Mays Young Inductees continued 2

5 W. D. (Demp) Jones Inductees continued The Catchings Family Joseph Maurice Catchings*, Margie Catchings Wingard, Josephine Catchings Malone Ronnie Lane Louise Littlejohn* Hanchey E. Logue* Maples Family Natasha Marable Cecil Mayfied* John D. McCrorie* Coosa County 4-H Partners Joseph Maurice Catchings joined the Coosa County Boys Corn Club in 1909 as a charter member. He and other boys were taught by the legendary Sam Day, employed part time by the USDA, how to grow more and better corn per acre of land by using improved agricultural practices. In 1911, the Coosa County Boys grew the highest yield of corn in the district and by 1913, Catchings produced 87 bushels of corn per acre at the cost of 31 cents. The selling price that year was $1.00 per bushel. Sarah McDowell James A. McLean* George D.H. McMillan Lynn McMillen Dan J. Mims Jack Mitchell Charles Moody Lem Morrison* Carolyn Moseley Katlin Mulvaney Ed Neel Jack Odle Roland Oliver Lesias (Les) G. Pair Dan J. Presley Peggy Prucnal Gene Ragan In 1914, Catchings grew the most corn per acre in the district and was given the first individual award, a short-horn bull calf and a trip to Auburn for a 10- day course on Better Farming Methods. At 13 years old, he rode the train to Auburn (the first time away from home and the first time on a train) where he was joined by 100 other Corn Club boys from across the state. As Catchings aged, he continued to be an active member and supporter of 4-H. Catchings never graduated from high school; however, after his trip to Auburn University, vowed that future Catchings generations would finish high school and engage in secondary education. He was a firm believer in the mission and value of 4-H: First Family; Second Church; and Third 4-H was his motto growing up and raising his family. He lived the 4-H pledge and instilled the importance of hard work, independence, commitment, and contribution to the community to his family of many generations. In 1985, Mr. Catchings daughters, Margie Catchings Wingard and Josephine Catchings Malone, began giving $100 annually to support two awards, called the J.M Catchings Most Outstanding Boy and Most Outstanding Girl 4-H Member Award in Coosa County. They have continued this award for 26 years. Along with the cash award, the name of the recipients are put on a plaque with the previous 26 recipients name plates and is displayed in the Coosa County 4-H Club house. Some of the 4-H members on the plaque are now school teachers, engineers, biologists, foresters, and parents of current 4-H members. 3

6 In addition, Josephine Catchings Malone established the Joseph Maurice Catchings Memorial Fund for Coosa County 4-H Clubs with a $10,000 gift to the Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc. in 1985 to help meet programming needs of the youth of Coosa County. Through Mr. Catchings determination that the mission and philosophy of 4-H be prominent in his family life, all the Catchings generations have strived To Make the Best Better for generations to come. Junior Wimpy Gillespie Thelma & John Gottler* Addie Green Inductees continued Nominated by Coosa County Extension Audrey Gruenewald Richard L. Guthrie Karen Engelman Baldwin County 4-H Volunteer Terrell and Anne* Guthrie Eunice Hagler Karen Engelman was the 4-H Volunteer Leader for the Dolphin Home School 4-H Club from 2007 to According to Engelman, parents like having one organization to which they can bring their children of all ages to enjoy and learn together. Engelman also learned 4-H is more than cows, goats and horses and that clubs can be about anything! Under her leadership, the club has grown to more than 50 members with 30 families involved. Her motivation to become a 4-H leader comes from watching a timid, reluctant child begin experiencing something he or she had never done before and watch them become involved. To watch youth learn, plan and follow through to complete an activity is what inspired Engelman to lead for five years. Harriett Hall Clarice Manship Hardy Hazel Harpe Shelton Hawsey Alice Heard Davis & Margery Henry Betty Holley Harry Houston Mike Hubbard Projects under her direction have included creating a club-inspired quilt, Mystery Dinner Theater, and many community service projects, specifically with The Ronald McDonald House in Mobile. Engelman has also served as an advisor, a chaperone, a facilitator and a judge at the state, regional and local levels. Engelman credits her service in the U.S. Air Force for 4.5 years on active duty and 5 years in the Air Force National Guard as helping her be a more effective 4-H volunteer leader. For her, it is exciting to watch 4-H ers make friends within the club and other 4-H clubs across the state. Engelman, herself, has made friends in other club volunteers and with state 4-H leaders. Angela G. Hughes Glenda Kelly Rosalee & Earl Kennemer* Vicki Linley Bertha M. Jones* John E. Jones* Rodger Dale Jones 4

7 Inductees Barbara Crapps and RSVP of Barbour County DeBorah Darrington Jack & Judy Davis Marjorie S. Day Debter Farms DeKalb County VFW Fairgrounds L.A. Tony Dozier Drummond Company, Inc. Luther Duncan* Betty H. Duncan Anna Dyer Red Eagle Gun Club James R. Edwards* W.A. Dub Ellis Jr. Mark C. Espy Sr. Gwinn Ezell* FarmLinks Emmett C. Farrington* Benjamin B. Fields* William E. and Vivian Garrett Jerry Gibson continued Under Engelman s leadership the Clean Through Archery 4-H Club was chartered. Several leaders received 4-H Shooting Sports training in the archery discipline and have since trained other parents to assist in the instruction of new members. Julie Cordova, archery club leader, says Karen constantly amazes me by the amount of time she invests into our group. She always puts the kids first and never settles for anything less than wonderful for them. So many times I would have said that s good enough but Karen always takes everything to the next level, always wanting the best for the kids. She truly loves them and loves seeing them learn and grow and it shows in everything she does for them. I have learned so much about leadership by watching her. She is always thinking so far ahead for the group. Her heart is obviously in this and that s what makes her such a successful 4-H leader! She has provided our family with so many opportunities through our 4-H club that have really enriched our lives. Nominated by Cynthia Knowlton, Regional Extension Agent Shane Chandler Glover Madison County 4-H Alumnus and Youth Volunteer 4-H has been a part of Shane Glover since he was nine years old. A resident of Madison County, Glover he is past president of the Tennessee Valley 4-H Horse Club, where as a 4-Her he had much success, winning Grand Champion and Reserve Champion at state and regional Horse shows. Following graduation from New Hope High School in 2009, he attended Northeast Community College and continued to work with 4-H and the horse club. He currently is a student at Auburn University majoring in Pharmacy. He became a screened and trained youth volunteer leader for the Tennessee Valley 4-H Horse Club. Glover has been instrumental in keeping the club involved in the annual State and Regional horse shows. He has also provided the 4-H club with numerous diversified educational programs exposing 4-H club members to speakers with an equine background and hosting clinics on various subjects pertaining to horses. 16 5

8 As a youth volunteer leader Glover was interested in sponsoring a Regional Horse Show within the Northeast Region. With the assistance of the New Hope Saddle Club, he chaired the Northeast Regional Horse Show. He demonstrated a tremendous amount of commitment for the success of the regional horse show held at the Alabama A&M Agribition Center. He continuously worked behind the scenes taking care of all the details for the horse show. Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame Inductees Alabama Cattlemen s Association Alabama Farmers Cooperative Inc. and Bonnie Plants Glover not only volunteered with the 4-H horse club, he was a dedicated member of the 4-H Northeast Regional Council. He served as vice president of the 4-H Regional Council and was a key member for the committee that steered the Innovation Grant trips. He served as a senior leader for younger 4-H members, participated in the 4-H Northeast Regional Council s fun adventure trip Whitewater rafting down the Ocoee River and was a delegate with the Citizenship Alabama Focus. Alabama Farmers Federation Alabama Poultry & Egg Association Alabama Power Company Foundation AuburnBank Joe Ann Arthur* Glover is a young man with a big heart and a love for 4-H and equine. He always puts forth a tremendous effort To Make the Best Better. Ann Barr Helen Bauer* Nominated by Wanda Pharris, Regional Extension Agent Roger H. Bedford Jr. 6 Garland and Doris Jones Lawrence County 4-H Volunteers Mr. and Mrs. Garland Jones have been involved with 4-H horsemanship activities for approximately 12 years. They have shown support for the 4-H Horse Club and allowed the group to host nine youth rodeo events at their facilities. This event gives youth the opportunity to exhibit horsemanship skills in traditional horse events as well as participate in fun activities such as stick horse race, pole bending on foot, hay dig and many others. The events are executed in a manner to help youth build selfconfidence, teach good sportsmanship, teamwork and socialization skills. Over the past nine years, approximately 4,000-5,000 youth and adults have participated or assisted with the youth rodeo activities. For the last six years, the Jones have allowed the 4-H Horse Club to host a Special Needs Rodeo for all handicapped and special needs students in the Lawrence County School System. 4-H Horse Club members demonstrate their riding and roping skills and conduct other fun interactive activities with the Tom Burnside* Patricia Bryant James A. Byars Thomas M. Campbell Sr. * David Carpenter* George Washington Carver* Barbara Cherellia Boyd Christenberry Kaye Conley* Malta F. (Scooter) Conners* J.O. Conway Michelle L.Craig 15

9 Till remembers his 4-H involvement. It was a long process, many 4-H speaking contests, livestock judging, forestry, safety, leadership.opportunities that were available to me nowhere but at 4-H. These were opportunities that I never would have taken without prodding and encouragement from Ralph Thompson. I am sure they don t want the praise, but I could not say anything about my 4-H experience without giving credit to him as a 4-H staff leader and Audrey Gruenwald as my 4-H volunteer leader and 4-H public speaking coach. To them, and to 4-H, I will forever be grateful. Nominated by Ralph Thompson, Retired County Extension Coordinator special needs students. Approximately 2,000 individuals have been involved in these events at Iron Rail Arena which included students, Horse Club members, and adult and youth volunteers. In addition to rodeo events, they have allowed and supported numerous educational horsemanship workshops and clinics as well as a 4-H Fun Day to recruit youth to participate in the 4-H Horse Club and the 4-H Beef Livestock Program. As certified 4-H volunteers, Garland and Doris Jones have served as overnight chaperones on educational tours, donated to the 4-H Horse Club Program through in-kind and volunteer service and touched the lives of thousands of young people through their generosity and sharing Iron Rail Arena with horse enthusiasts from Lawrence County and across the state. Nominated by Lawrence County Extension The G.W. Jones Family Ray and Elizabeth (Libby) Jones Madison County 4-H Alumni, Volunteers and Family Children: Lisa and Mark Yokley, May and Mike Patterson, Raymond and Kristy Jones; Grandchildren: Elizabeth and Allison Yokley; Caroline, Will and Bryant Patterson; Raymond III and Katherine Jones The Jones family has been a leader in the business and agriculture community of Madison County for generations. G.W. Jones Engineering firm has been innovative in the business community, and G.W. Jones & Sons Farm has a reputation as a leader in the agriculture world. The farm was the first in the area to transition from cotton farming to pasture grass. Multiple generations of the Jones family have been involved with, and supportive in numerous ways of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the 4-H program. Generations of this family have shown steers and heifers from the G.W. Jones Farm. They have received numerous honors at county, district and state shows. 14 7

10 In the mid 2000 s, several members of the Jones family, led by Mark Yokley, stepped up and took the leadership for the Tennessee Valley Junior Livestock Expo. This became the district 4-H show for the north Alabama counties. Mark led this effort for several years; three years ago Raymond Jones, Jr. took the leadership for this show. It is a successful show thanks to their leadership and involvement, along with other dedicated 4-H volunteer leaders throughout north Alabama. The Jones family has gone the extra effort to ensure success in planning and implementing the Tennessee Valley Junior Livestock Expo. They led planning meetings, oversaw decorations, managed awards, and attended to the many details to make the shows successful. The family has also helped the Madison County 4-H program by loaning items from the farm such as drapes, background materials, and other items that lend to the success of youth programs. Extension Field Days and Cattlemen s Association meetings have been hosted by the farm on numerous occasions. The family and the business have been recognized at many levels. The farm was named the Farm of Distinction by the Farm-City Committee of Alabama in Other awards include the Huntsville Distinguished Service Award from the Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce and induction in the Alabama Business Hall of Fame by the University of Alabama. In 2002, Lipscomb University named its School of Engineering the Raymond B. Jones School of Engineering. Many families work to make a difference through 4-H. The Jones family is a shining example of dedication and commitment to Alabama 4-H through the generations and they are to be honored for their contributions. Nominated by Alabama 4-H Mr. and Mrs. Bob Pittman not only are the perfect 4-H VOLUNTEERS of TODAY, but because of their good land stewardship values, they will leave the world a better place for future 4-H ers of TOMORROW. Nominated by Mobile County Extension J. Paul Till Butler County 4-H Alumnus J. Paul Till has a degree in communication from Auburn University and in counseling from Troy University in Montgomery. He has worked for the Associated Press in Atlanta and for the Alabama Farmers Federation/Alfa, until his retirement in His roots go back to Butler County and the 4-H program under his volunteer leader Mrs. Audrey Gruenwald, a 2008 inductee into the Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame. Without 4-H and its leaders who encouraged me at an early age, I am not sure I would have ever ventured outside Butler County much less attended college and had a successful career, says Till. I was so shy and grew up so far out in the country it was a huge deal just to go to the county seat, Greenville, for an awards program. Walking across the stage at the Ritz Theater to accept an award was about as scary and exciting as this country boy could handle. But when I was chosen to represent Alabama at the 4-H Congress in Chicago and later picked as one of four Alabama 4-Hers to attend the National 4-H Conference in Washington, I was changed forever. Till s journalism career included covering Gov. George Wallace and the return home of the POWs to Maxwell Air Force Base from Vietnam. Joining Alfa in 1975, he was the founding editor of the Federation s Neighbors Magazine, which has the largest agricultural circulation in Alabama. He was also founder of Alfa News. The two publications reached a combined circulation of more than 400,000 homes in Alabama. Till was promoted to director of public relations and communication for Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa. He spear-headed the widely acclaimed Farming Feeds Alabama campaign which featured statewide television commercials promoting Alabama agriculture. 8 13

11 12 Carol and Robert Pittman Mobile 4-H Volunteers From Chicago to the creek banks, when you think about generosity and 4-H volunteerism, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pittman instantly come to mind. Bob and Carol Pittman personify the ultimate definition of what it is to be a 4-H VOLUNTEER. They are one of the Pioneer VOLUNTEER Landowners because of their long- time participation in the Classroom in the Forest: Forest in the Classroom 4-H educational program. The Pittman s forest is featured in the Classroom in the Forest: Forest in the Classroom (CIF) teaching video that is used in all CIF training presentations today. Each year, Mr. Bob and Mrs. Carol, and the whole family put their normal working and farming activities on hold for up to three weeks of backto-back Classroom in the Forest Field trip activities. These activities include tractor/trailer tours, wild animal show and tell, control burn demonstrations, and home cooked lunches in the camp house for the adult volunteers, while the 4-H ers enjoy a picnic by the creek. They regularly host hundreds of 4-H fifth grade classes to their forest lands every year, and to date have hosted at least 12,000 students, their teachers, and hundreds of volunteers on their property since They never tire of teaching young minds about good stewardship. Bob Pittman s career led him to the famed Sears Tower in Chicago where he and his partners came up with the idea of the Discover Card and changed financial history forever. Later, Mr. Pittman and his family moved back to Mobile County where they acquired Mrs. Carol s childhood home farm lands and created a diversified farm homestead on the banks of Big Creek and Escatawpa river estuaries in Grand Bay. Fowl, fishes, flora, fauna and a plethora of wildlife can all be experienced on a trip to the Pittman TREASURE Forest. It is truly spectacular when the Mountain Laurel blooms. Their land is one of the few places where this flowering shrub can be found growing profusely so far south in Alabama. They set an example for everyone to follow not just in words, but back it up with actions. Just recently, Mr. and Mrs. Pittman made arrangements to place a portion of their forest in a land trust so that it will always be kept safe for future generations. They wanted to make sure the business of making clean air, clean water, wildlife habitat and wild spaces will go on forever. Mary Lucile Jordan* County Extension Coordinator, Etowah County Mary Lucile Jordan grew up in Ashland, in Clay County. She completed high school at Clay County High and attended Auburn University, receiving both her BS and MS degrees in home economics education. Jordan taught high school home economics at Thomaston Public School System in Thomaston, GA, before joining the Alabama Cooperative Extension System in Etowah County in She served as the county 4-H agent until she accepted the position of County Extension Coordinator. She continued her interest in 4-H until her retirement in The 4-H Foods and Nutrition program was always strong in Etowah County. More than 300 youth participated in the baked foods exhibit at the club level each year with 75 participating at the county level. These young people consistently placed in the food related events at the district and state levels. Over the years several attended National 4-H Congress as a result of their food record books, and one was national winner through her breads record book. The skills learned and knowledge acquired through the foods and nutrition program in 4-H continue to help these young people make healthy food choices for themselves and their families. Jordan wrote a weekly column in The Gadsden Times from 1999 until her retirement in The articles related to foods and included history, safety, selection, preparation, storage, preservation, holidays and equipment used in food preparation. Recipes and other tips were included in those articles which were syndicated to 17 newspapers owned by The New York Times. Jordan was active in several professional organizations. She was a member of NEAFCS for 25 years, receiving the Distinguished Service Award in 2004 and the Continued Excellence Award in The Alpha Pi Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi recognized her in 2004 with the Distinguished Service Award. She served as Vice-President in and was a member for 30 years. Jordan was a charter member of ALAE4-HA. She served as president in 1991, received the Cecil Mayfield Leadership Award in 1997, the Distinguished Service Award in 1998 and the Meritorious Service Award in She served on several national committees, including the 1989 NAE4-HA Annual Meeting held in Mobile. 9

12 She worked on the team that developed Just Move Alabama, a project that has received national acclaim in several of the associations and is continuing to be used as a health and fitness program in Alabama 4-H. Nominated by Joann Wissinger, Jefferson County CEC Charles R. Mason County Extension Coordinator, Barbour County (retired) If you see a yellow bus loaded with 4-H youth, you just might see Charles R. (Charlie) Mason at the wheel. To better serve youth in Barbour County, Charlie obtained a CDL license allowing him to drive a county school bus for 4-H trips. Mason came to Barbour County in the mid-1980s as an assistant county agent where he began his career as an Extension professional working with production agriculture. He advised clients on crops and livestock. He also assisted with 4-H through livestock judging teams and the 4-H steer and heifer programs. Mason became the County Extension Coordinator in 1995 and continued his work in production agriculture and 4-H. He has been involved in the 4-H forestry judging teams, livestock judging teams, land judging teams and the 4-H steer and heifer programs throughout his tenure as the CEC. Mason enjoyed 4-H events and activities. He was a permanent fixture on 4-H trips to youth camps, youth leadership activities and field trips. His input to the youth of Barbour County was invaluable and the youth always enjoyed his input to the 4-H program. His willingness to serve in whatever capacity coordinator, bus driver, chaperone or educator needed to help the youth of Barbour County is just one of the traits that is greatly missed because of his retirement from Extension earlier this year. His grandchildren have been the light of his life and we expect to see him soon with them involved in 4-H. Melissa Merrill Jefferson County 4-H Volunteer Melissa Merrill has a Degree in nuclear medicine and was head of the Nuclear Medicine Department at the Norwood Clinic until her first child was born when she decided to be a stay-at-home mom. Merrill s involvement in 4-H began as a child when she joined a 4-H club. Her renewed involvement began with her children in 2002 as a volunteer leader for South Crest Christian 4-H. Under her leadership, the club tied for Club of the Year from 2002 through In 2006, she became the leader of Homeland Christian 4-H Club. She received Outstanding Leader of the Year in 2007 and Club of the Year in 2007, 2008 and She received the Jefferson County Friend of 4-H Award in She has also been very involved in the Jefferson County 4-H Junior Leader Club. Melissa has also been the leader of Jefferson County, now Tannehill 4-H Club. While under her leadership, the club won multiple Alabama 4-H horsemanship awards at the county, state, regional, and even the national level. She has also been a part of the American Indian Horse Club from , where she served as club registrar, secretary, and treasurer. Merrill has also served on the Jefferson County Advisory Board and the 4-H NW Regional Council for four years. Merrill has been a faithful leader in 4-H, going above and beyond to help in any way she could by helping families in need, encouraging shy students to participate in speech competitions, buying gifts for her 4-H graduates, and writing letters of recommendation for scholarships, jobs, horse programs, Eagle Scouts, and others. She even dressed up with the children at the themed banquets encouraging them to have fun; and she had the most fun of all. Nominated by Angela Smith, 4-H Volunteer Nominated by Barbour County Extension 10 11