The Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame

Transcription

1 The Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame November 13, 2008 Alabama 4-H Environmental Science Education Center Alabama 4-H Center Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

2 The Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame The Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame recognizes individuals and organizations that have had a significant impact on the 4-H and Youth Development program and its members and leaders. The Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc. and Alabama 4-H honors, remembers and pays tribute to those who have affected the lives of Alabama youth by their commitment To Make The Best Better. Master of Ceremonies Mike McKenzie Director of Public Information and Promotions Alabama Public Television Welcome W. Gaines Smith Director Alabama Cooperative Extension System Recognition of Inductees Mike McKenzie Closing Remarks C. Lamar Nichols Assistant Director, 4-H and Youth Development Alabama Cooperative Extension System Beverly Mays Young Madison County 4-H Volunteer Beverly Mays Young has been a significant contributor to 4-H for more than 33 years. She is a 4-H alumna and has continued to support 4-H in schools as an elementary school counselor. Over the past few years, Young has sponsored 4-H as the school counselor at her elementary school by setting up eight separate 4-H clubs (by class) with all fourth- and fifth-graders, totaling approximately 200 students. As a 4-H leader, she organizes competitions and works to secure others to volunteer. Her clubs have participated in the 4-H days for football and basketball. In 2007, Young changed schools and started 4-H programs in her new job at a high school, where there was previously no 4-H program. She averages about 25 students in six clubs. With her dedication to Alabama 4-H, Young always greets 4-H ers and volunteers with a smile and a belief that she is working to Make the Best Better. Nominated by Grace Buell 2 23

3 and wildlife, the first endowed 4-H program in the state. Thompson Tractor s most recent financial commitment has been to the Campaign for Alabama 4-H, where it has supported the construction and programs of Alabama 4-H Environmental Science Education Center. Nominated by Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc. Inductees David Carpenter* Pike County Extension Agent Barbour County native David Carpenter followed a career path set early in his life, one dedicated to agriculture and serving others. Milton A. Buzz Wendland Retired Board Member, Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc. Milton A. Buzz Wendland grew up working on the family farm in Kansas, which produced corn, wheat and cattle. In 1954, he graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in animal husbandry. Eight days after he graduated, he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and later stationed in San Antonio. A staunch believer in service to an industry and community, Wendland served as chairman of the Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc. and was a board member for more than 22 years, serving from It was during Wendland s involvement and leadership that the Alabama 4-H Center was born, and he gave extraordinary leadership to ensure its beginning and development. Following graduation from Auburn University, Carpenter managed a swine farm in Georgia and worked with Farm Bureau Insurance. In 1975, he joined the Alabama Cooperative Extension System as an assistant county agent in Geneva County. Two years later, he transferred to Pike County where he continued to serve clientele in the areas of horticulture, natural resources, animal and dairy science, agronomy and 4-H until his retirement in December One of his greatest contributions to the Pike County 4-H program was the creation of the first Pike County 4-H Horse Club in Today s leaders for that club were in Carpenter s first 4-H horse club. Following his retirement, he was elected to the Pike County Commission, and he often said his time spent as a county commissioner was almost like his time as a young county agent out visiting on farms and with the people. Nominated by Tammy Powell 22 Wendland is also involved with the Alabama Cattlemen s and Crop Improvement associations. He has served on the board of Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Birmingham Branch of the Federal Reserve, Auburn University Agricultural Advisory Board and the First Presbyterian Church of Prattville. Nominated by Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc. Boyd Christenberry Board Member, Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc. Boyd Christenberry grew up in a 1930s sharecropper family in rural Perry County, in the days of a 10-cent haircut, if you didn t get one free at the hand of your parents. He graduated from Auburn in 1950 and quickly landed a job as assistant county agent in Bibb County. He was called to the Extension headquarters where he was a radio editor and traveled the state gathering agricultural news for the daily radio show. In 1956, he joined what was then called Alabama Farm Bureau Insurance Company, now known as Alfa Insurance. 3

4 When he started at Alfa, the company had 89,000 policies and $3.6 million in annual premiums. He was a key figure in increasing company figures to more than 1 million policies and $370 million in premiums by the time he retired in Christenberry is a long-time member of the Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc., where he has spent countless hours ensuring youth have solid programs through his work to secure funding. He has also served on boards of Alfa, Colonial Bank, Samford University, YMCA and is a deacon, trustee and member of the church foundation at First Baptist Church, Montgomery. Following Christenberry s retirement from Alfa, a former writer for The Associated Press approached him to use his successful life journey in a book as an example of how to achieve a balance of career, family and church. In Achieving Balance: Successfully Making a Life and a Living, former Gov. Albert Brewer said, By applying grit, ability and determination, Boyd achieved professional success and economic security without compromising his faith and values which are reflected in his children, and admired by hundreds of friends and associates. Nominated by J. Paul Till Master 4-H Club and vice president of the Intercollegiate 4-H Club. Ragan began his farm broadcasting career in radio in His Gene Ragan Show was a staple of the Wiregrass on WTVY-TV from 1958 until his final show in In the early years, Ragan also broadcast farm television shows on Albany and Tallahassee stations. Ragan was inducted into the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Hall of Fame. NAFB historian Dix Harper noted that Ragan s 40-plus year farm television show is believed to be the longest on a single station in the nation. Ragan has also been honored for his lifetime career in agricultural journalism, including Auburn University s Agricultural Alumni Hall of Honor, University of Florida North Florida Research and Education Center s Hall of Fame, Alabama Cattlemen s Association s Livestock Hall of Fame and the Opp Jaycee Rattlesnake Rodeo Hall of Fame. He is the recipient of more than 70 honors and awards, including a tribute read into the Congressional Record by Alabama Congressman Terry Everett in 1997, following Ragan s selection by Progressive Farmer magazine as its Man of the Year in Alabama Agriculture. Barbara O. Cherellia 4-H State Staff Nominated by Lamar Nichols and Betty Gottler 4 Barbara Cherellia spent her career with Extension developing and evaluating 4-H leadership programs to ensure youth received the best education possible. She spent much of her career identifying, recruiting, training and evaluating 4-H volunteer leaders to ensure they had the educational materials and tools to effectively teach 4-H to youth. She also trained Extension employees in leadership skills and assisted them in using 4-H leadership information and resources, thereby extending the mission of Extension and 4-H to youth and adults. After serving on the Southern Region 4-H Volunteer Leaders Forum planning committee, she began the Alabama 4-H Leader Forum that continues today. Thompson Tractor Company Corporate Partner Thompson Tractor Company, Inc. is the full-line Caterpillar dealer for Alabama and Northwest Florida and the Caterpillar forklift dealer for most of Georgia. Founded by Hall W. Thompson in 1957, the company is headquartered in Birmingham. The company s history has been distinguished by a dedicated excellence and a commitment to service. We d like to be recognized as a business partner by our customers, says Michael D. Thompson, who became company president in Thompson Tractor Company, Inc. has a strong commitment to Alabama 4-H as it has worked to financially endow programs in forestry 21

5 20 Katlin Mulvaney Lee County 4-H Alumna Katlin Mulvaney is a senior at Auburn University majoring in agricultural communications with minors in agricultural leadership and political science. She is actively involved in many leadership positions throughout Auburn s campus and on a national level, as she serves as the National Junior Hereford Board of Director. Mulvaney serves on the Auburn University Women s Leadership Institute and is an Auburn University College of Agriculture Ag Ambassador. As a 4-H er, Mulvaney was a member of the Lee County 4-H program for eight years where she participated in nearly every 4-H project area, specializing in animal science beef projects and public speaking. As a 4-H er, she attended National 4-H Congress, National 4-H Conference and Citizenship Washington Focus. Mulvaney also served on the Alabama 4-H State Council. As a Collegiate 4-H member, she was named Miss Alabama 4-H in 2003 because of her outstanding 4-H accomplishments, personal qualifications, leadership experience, 4-H awards and recognitions, pubic speaking abilities and extracurricular activities. She remained an active supporter of 4-H in college working in the state 4-H program office for several years. Nominated by Nancy Alexander Gene Ragan TV/Radio Personality; 4-H Alumnus Gene Ragan has been referred to as an icon, a legend and the Voice of Agriculture, but in his heart, he is a 4-H er. As a young 4-H er, Ragan exhibited champion steers, was named the Georgia Meat Animal champion and won a trip to the National 4-H Congress in Chicago. At the University of Georgia, he was elected president of the college 4-H club. As a young adult, he was named president of the Georgia Cherellia joined Extension in 1958, and served in various capacities, including work in Franklin, Colbert and Madison counties, before moving to the state headquarters in Before joining Extension, she taught school for two years. A native of Lawrence County, she is a graduate of the University of North Alabama and Louisiana State University. She also received a specialist degree from Auburn. Nominated by Alabama 4-H State Staff Marjorie S. Day Mobile County Extension Agent During a 30-year career with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Marjorie S. Day was the backbone and cornerstone for the 4-H program for Mobile County. Mrs. Day, as she was lovingly known to hundreds of students, parents, teachers and grandparents, was the exclusive Extension agent in charge of youth development. During her tenure, she developed and touched the lives of hundreds of youth due to her hard work, determination, outstanding leadership abilities and personal commitment. She encouraged youth to participate in everything: from cooking contests to citizenship competitions. She made scholarships available to students, and helped them achieve sponsorships for camp and even helped youth find college scholarships. She maintained her own Wall of Fame in the Mobile County office by displaying all the many 4-H ers chosen to attend National 4-H Congress, the pinnacle of leadership and success at the time. Many of those whose photo was on display have become lawyers, nurses, teachers, farmers, business owners and other leaders of society. Today, many of those 4-H ers volunteer their time to 4-H because of Day s example. Nominated by Maranda Marks 5

6 Debter Hereford Farm Corporate Partner for 4-H Livestock The Debter Hereford Farm, located in north central Alabama in Horton, promotes and encourages young people in the area of livestock judging, herdsmanship, production and animal agriculture. For more than 30 years, the Debter family has held the North Alabama District 4-H Livestock Judging Contest. Their hard work and dedication make this contest an enjoyable and educational day. As hosts, they showcase Alabama s livestock industry and, through their example, encourage young people to continue the tradition of farming and animal agriculture. Planning by the Debter Hereford Farm owners, Extension staff and the Blount County Cattlewomen s Association provides a solid educational day, where 4-H members judge and evaluate animals, take notes, answer questions, practice reasons and defend their rankings of the animals with oral presentations. The top individuals and top teams are recognized and youth from as many as 15 counties participate. This fourth generation family ranching operation, which utilizes solid performance cattle and innovative and modern ideas, has been in the registered Hereford business for 60 years. The Debter Hereford Farm has held many American Hereford Association events and activities. Debter Hereford Farm is owned by Glenn and Bobbie Debter and their two sons, James and Perry. Glynn s grandfather, M.D. Debter, started the farm in the late 1800 s as a working row crop farm along with a small herd of commercial cattle. In 1993, Glynn s father, Ross, married and purchased an adjoining farm. In 1948, Glynn purchased two registered Hereford heifers for his 4-H project. Perry and James followed their dad with their 4-H beef projects. From that start Glynn, Perry, James and now, grandson, John Ross have turned the farm into the award winning production business. For six generations the family has worked and lived on the original Debter home place. Currently there are three generations proudly living and working together on the farm. Nominated by 4-H Livestock Staff Jack Mitchell Alabama 4-H Volunteer Jack Mitchell has volunteered for the Alabama 4-H Shooting Sports program in various capacities since On the county level, he has served as a club leader in Dallas and Monroe; a recruiter and trainer of other volunteers in rifle, muzzleloading, and archery; and a special events planner. On the state level, Mitchell has been an instructor-trainer in rifle and archery for county volunteers and 4-H Center staff and a member of the state 4-H Shooting Sports Committee. He has planned and worked on numerous shooting sports events, always with an eye toward safety and education. It is difficult to estimate the number of people Mitchell has affected through the 4-H Shooting Sports program. He has trained 35 archery instructors and 55 rifle instructors. He has taken 25 4-H ers to compete at the Civilian Marksmanship Program national youth marksmanship competition in Ohio and has directly instructed approximately 1,000 youth at state and county rendezvous and field days. He has overseen 4-H and archery in the schools competitions where more than 3,000 youth participated. Since 2005, Mitchell has conducted 15 multicounty discipline instructor trainings to ensure volunteer leaders are certified to teach shooting sports. He is an active Alabama Hunter Education instructor and National Rifle Association training counselor. Mitchell is certified to teach the following: home firearms safety; muzzleloading pistol and rifle; shotgun;.22 rifle; and personal pistol protection. He has taught three pistol personal protection classes for women in Monroe County. The 4-H Shooting Sports program has benefited from Mitchell s leadership abilities on two levels. He has conducted numerous trainings and helped many other volunteer leaders. But more importantly, Mitchell understands youth development and weaves the concepts into his training sessions and interactions with youth. Nominated by Emily Kling and Denise Legvold 6 19

7 George D.H. McMillan Butler County Extension Agent Said to be the best 4-H agent in the state during his tenure, George D.H. McMillan had a heart for education and youth. As a 4-H agent in Butler County, he is credited with successfully starting many crucial agricultural programs for youngsters, including the Purebred Jersey Heifer program, the Purebred Duroc Pig Chain program and the 4-H Poultry Chain. In these programs, each child was given an animal to care for and its offspring were given to other 4-H ers. These 4-H ers learned how to care for the animal and helped another 4-H er be successful while bringing revenue to their family. 4-H ers also learned about show ring competition. It has been said that McMillan was happiest when he was working to improve Butler County 4-H. Each year, McMillan made sure the county winning 4-H ers were recognized at a county 4-H rally. The 4-H Rally in Butler County was held at the Ritz Theatre, where students were treated to a free movie followed by a march to Beeland Park. The county s governmental leaders often attended this event to salute the success of county 4-H ers. It was the highlight of the year for many 4-H ers. McMillan served as a 4-H agent for 13 years in Butler County and three more in helping and training other 4-H agents. He continued his Extension career in Dothan, and later became a district agent in the state office. Nominated by Ralph Thompson L.A. Tony Dozier 4-H State Staff Extension 4-H specialist Tony Dozier believes educating a child is one of life s most worthwhile endeavors, and he spent his career as an educator and youth advocate. A native of Tallassee, Dozier earned a bachelor s, a master s and a doctoral degree from Auburn. Dozier began his career with Extension in 1964 as an assistant agent working with the Jackson County 4-H program. After more than eight years, he transferred to Auburn where he joined the state staff as a community resource development specialist. In 1978, he became a 4-H specialist for agriculture and natural resources, providing educational materials statewide to county staff and volunteer leaders in these program areas. In 1989, during a time when 4-H was without a state leader, Dozier served as interim head until 1992, coordinating all 4-H state activities and 4-H employees. Dozier is the recipient the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents. He retired in 1995 following 31 years of service to Alabama 4-H. Nominated by Alabama 4-H Staff 18 7

8 James R. Edwards 4-H Volunteer James Jim Edwards joined the Lowndes County 4-H Club when he was in elementary school in Fort Deposit, and continued his 4-H membership into Lowndes County High School. After his service in the U.S. Navy and graduating from Auburn University in agricultural engineering, Edwards resumed his association with 4-H when he joined the Alabama Cooperative Extension System as an assistant county agent in Talladega County. He began by giving 4-H demonstrations for mechanics and electricity programs and assisted with 4-H county events. Two years later, he left Extension to join Alabama Power Company as a rural service engineer, but his association with Alabama 4-H continued as a volunteer, giving electrical demonstrations to 4-H clubs in Talladega, Clay, Coosa, Shelby and Bibb counties. As a representative of Alabama Power, he attended State 4-H Congress meetings and presented awards sponsored by Alabama Power. When he transferred to Alabama Power s corporate headquarters in Birmingham, Edwards continued his commitment to 4-H. Edwards was part of a team evaluating site locations for the 4-H Center, and he was proud when the selection was made it was property owned by Alabama Power. That work more than 30 years ago is carried on to this day through a continued long-term land-lease agreement with Alabama Power and Alabama 4-H. After the 4-H Center opened, Edwards assisted in teaching 4-H electrical classes, stressing practical, safe and sound electricity, wiring and lighting. One of his lighting projects, the 4-H Lamp Building contest, was a favorite among 4-H ers for many years. Nominated by Joann Wissinger Hanchey E. Logue* State 4-H Leader No one doubted that Hanchey Logue s legacy of service would outlive him. As the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service state 4-H leader from 1948 to 1970, he influenced the lives of approximately 500,000 boys and girls who took part in 4-H learning-by-doing programs. Under his leadership, more than $1 million was raised toward building the Alabama 4-H Center. In addition to guiding 4-H members, Logue taught math and coached football at Luverne High School and taught agriculture and shop for 10 years in Pine Apple. He worked as assistant county agent in Hale County and county agent in Conecuh County. A native of Troy, Logue graduated from Troy High School, attended Troy University and graduated from Auburn University, where he received bachelor s and master s degrees. His Extension career began in His dedication to youth led to him to conduct the original study for the Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc. He then wrote its constitution, by-laws and articles of incorporation. He served on the headquarters committee for the National 4-H Congress, and, during his tenure, he saw 80 Alabama 4-H ers receive national scholarships. In 1969, he received the Gold Key citation from the Federal Extension Service. The award, for his total service to 4-H, noted that throughout his years of service to youth, he has been guided by a belief that 4-H club work develops boys and girls into useful and desirable citizens. He retired from Extension in He had a gift of inspiring and encouraging young people, and he could entertain them with storytelling, guitar playing and singing. That is how Hanchey Logue, who spent most of his life working with Alabama youth, wished to be remembered. Nominated by Alabama 4-H State Staff 8 17

9 He encouraged families to help 4-H ers by becoming involved in market lamb and breeding sheep projects. He spent countless hours giving advice, answering questions and being a resource for families. Lane s support of youth through their 4-H careers and into adulthood has influenced at least one to follow in his footsteps, becoming a county Extension agent. Retired from Lauderdale County Extension, he continues to breed Simmental and Angus cattle on his farm in Florence. Nominated by Charlaina Busche Louise Littlejohn* St. Clair County Extension Agent Louise Littlejohn served as a county Extension agent for 4-H and Home Economics from 1967 until her retirement in She attended Lincoln Memorial University, received a bachelor s degree in home economics education from the University of Alabama and pursued graduate work at Auburn University. She taught students by example and gave lessons on a broad variety of subjects from bed making to healthy eating. Her encouragement, kinds words and time spent with youth instilled in them a love for 4-H and for her. A staunch supporter of women s rights in the workplace, she litigated in Federal Court for the parity of equal pay for women in the Extension Service, which agents still benefit from today. She was inducted into the Auburn University Home Economics Hall of Fame in Nominated by Lee Ann Clark W.A. Dub Ellis Jr. Board Member, Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc. W.A. Dub Ellis Jr. of Centre was born and has lived in Cherokee County all his life except while he was a student at Auburn University. Born to be a farmer, Ellis produced his first cotton crop at age 13, and always innovative, received his driver s license when he was just 12 years old. Completing high school in Centre, he attended Auburn University and graduated in 1949 after serving in the Merchant Marines in World War II. Following the war, he returned to work for Ellis Brothers Farms, but his career was again interrupted by a two-year tour in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. When he returned, he helped Ellis Brothers Farms expand into a worldwide cotton seed processing and sales operation, with plants in Alabama, Mississippi and Arizona. He has taken his strong work ethic and determination across the world, most recently working on a multinational project to re-establish a cotton industry in Uzbekistan, in the former Soviet Union. Ellis has been instrumental in the Alabama Crop Improvement Association and served as one of that organization s first leaders. He has held leadership positions with the Alabama Seedsman Association, Alabama Soil Conservation Districts and Southeastern Ginners Association. He served as president of Sure-Grow Seed Incorporated and was instrumental in the company s merger with Delta Land and Pine Company. A tireless supporter of Alabama 4-H, Ellis gives of his time and financial support to help 4-H ers statewide. He has been known to drive all over Alabama and fly across the United States to ask for support for 4-H, and he uses his influence and friendship with notable Alabamians to bring attention to 4-H. Nominated by The Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc. 16 9

10 Gwinn Ezell Hale County Extension Agent Coach, I need help! Gwinn Ezell was often called coach by his 4-H members as he came to Extension as a former science teacher and coach. And coaching is what he did best. He was appointed as a 4-H agent in Hale County in 1962 and began his career of mentorship to the young men in Hale County, teaching life lessons of citizenship and leadership. Those young men excelled in public speaking and parliamentary procedure. They were recognized as being great youth. Ezell was promoted to county agent coordinator in 1981 and served in that position until his retirement in He continued to work as the coach of Hale County within Extension. Ezell received the 4-H Center of Achievement Award in 1986 from the Alabama Association of County Agriculture Agents. He received the 4-H Merit Award in 1980 from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System Employees Organization. In 1989, he received the Hale County Farm City Supporter of Agriculture Award recognizing him for his tireless efforts. Nominated by Hale County Extension employees As an adult 4-H volunteer leader, he recruited and encouraged young people and adults to be a part of 4-H and the activities and opportunities that 4-H offered. He encouraged youth, giving time, money and supplies to assist with projects and other activities. He served as club leader, provided leadership and served as an instructor at many county fun-shops related to wood-working and small engines. He seemed to have a special knack when working with kids. His patience and ability to share his skills would always draw a crowd. Jones was one of the pioneering leaders in the development and growth of the Alabama 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association, serving as an officer and board member. He worked to establish the 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association Scholarship. He was recognized in 1996 as the 4-H Volunteer Leader of the Year by the statewide association. In 2006, he received the Lawrence County 4-H Volunteer Leader of the Year award. Jones has given more than 20 years of service to Alabama 4-H and remains involved today. Health reasons have slowed his involvement, but not his desire to touch the lives of hundreds of youth and adults associated with 4-H. He will certainly be remembered for his many, many contributions to 4-H, as well as the 1,000-plus 4-H buttons that he collected over the years. Nominated by Linda Robinson Audrey Gruenewald Butler County 4-H Volunteer Audrey Gruenewald inspired hundreds of Butler County 4-H ers through her service, work as a teacher, businesswoman and mother. As a teacher in the Georgiana school system and later, following the death of her husband, owner of the Western Auto store, Gruenewald served as an example to the youth of Butler County as a leader in 4-H. Ronnie Lane Lauderdale County Extension Agent During the years he worked for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Ronnie Lane touched the lives of countless 4-H ers. He is a man of great character, and a source of encouragement to 4-H ers. He is giving of his time, and always helping in any way he can. Former 4-H ers recall that Lane spent many nights and weekends working with 4-H; he was always present at shows and always supportive

11 Angela Hughes Coffee County Extension Agent During her Extension career, Angela Hughes was a positive influence and example of how an adult should be a citizen, role model and parent. One of her former 4-H ers said Hughes displays the four elements of 4-H: Her head, as she is an intelligent lady who thinks rationally; her heart, for she is very loving and loveable; her hands, as she has worked very hard for the success of the program and its participants; and her health, by keeping herself physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy. Hughes helped students find their strengths and values by guiding them to perfect competition speeches, enhance posters, making winning record books and inspiring youth to compete on the local, state and national levels. As important as winning, Hughes also taught 4-H ers the tough lesson of losing with grace and humility and many more lessons that go beyond any textbook. She instilled in youth the ability to believe in themselves and offered encouragement and support to achieve goals they didn t believe they could achieve. In 1998, she was awarded the 4-H Distinguished Service Award (state and national level) and the Showcase for Excellence award by the National Association of Extension Home Economics. Nominated by Cornelius Burrows, Crystal Burrows, Sandra Walker Cathy and Freda Kelley She encouraged youth to participate in a variety of projects and required them to write about their experiences and maintain records. She drilled students for competition, helping them develop selfconfidence and ability. Her most significant contribution was most likely the help she provided in obtaining scholarship funds for deserving 4-H members who otherwise would not have been able to attend college. No matter what the project, Gruenewald always gave her best effort. She worked with students from Georgiana, but coached and groomed students for 4-H competitions from throughout the area. Through her business, she often donated cash and other prizes for 4-H ers. More important than any monetary donation was the gift of her time and talents that she gave for so many years. Gruenewald inspired 4-H ers to pursue a variety of interests, develop their talents, refine their skills and work toward goals. She inspired 4-H ers to reach the goals some, as youngsters, thought impossible. But with her guidance, those goals became reality. She also inspired 4-H ers to obtain a higher education. Her goal was to encourage them to work hard, be successful and give back to their community. Several of her former 4-H ers, who nominated her for this award, called her the embodiment of the 4-H Pledge. Nominated by Rex N. Blackburn, Margaret Gaston, J. Paul Till, Ralph Thompson and Charles S. Wingard Rodger Dale Jones Lawrence County 4-H Volunteer Known by many as the 4-H Button Man, Rodger Dale Jones has made many significant contributions to 4-H clubs at the county and state level. As a former 4-H er, Jones love for 4-H and interest in youth development carried into adulthood

12 Terrell and Anne* Guthrie Papa and Mama, The 4-H Center Managers Terrell and Anne Guthrie have been a fixture to Alabama 4-H youth, volunteers and Extension professionals. Papa and Mama Guthrie, as the Alabama 4-H Center summer camp counselors called them, loved and treated the youth as if they were their own. The Guthries personally met and touched the lives of more than 10,000 youth and countless adults as they passed through the doors of the center. Terrell Guthrie was a county Extension agent in Lamar County when he and Anne accepted a new challenge. The Guthries were the first managers assigned to the Alabama 4-H Center and moved to the property in 1979, while it was still wilderness. Opening the center in 1980 with the lodge, one dorm, a pool, and four huts moved Alabama 4-H to a hands-on, minds-on learning environment with endless possibilities. The Guthries worked closely with the Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc. to generate private funding for expansion of facilities. The foundation, through a strategic plan and feasibility study, committed to expanding the center and 4-H. Today the motel, recreation building, a second dorm the Alabama Environmental Education Science Center continues to provide educational learning for Alabama s youth and adults. The Alabama 4-H Foundation Club, Inc. board named the center s main building the Terrell and Anne Guthrie Lodge for their dedicated service managing the 4-H Center from 1979 until their retirement in Nominated by Shannon Andress Addie Green Pike County 4-H Volunteer Addie Green has served as a 4-H volunteer leader in Pike County for nearly 15 years. In this capacity, Miss Addie has worked with and positively affected the lives of thousands of 4-H members. Green has served in many roles: local club volunteer, county 4-H council leader, judge, fund-raiser, fair exhibit constructor, civic group speaker, state 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association board member, record keeper, transporter, Advisory Council member, 4-H Camp volunteer, and, parent. As circulation manager at the Troy Public Library, Green enjoys sharing 4-H information with her clientele as well as with others with whom she comes in contact. She has not only served in all of these roles, she has excelled in them. In each of these positions, she has made a positive difference in the lives of the youth with whom she has worked. Her contributions to the 4-H program have been seen in her positive influence, and she continuously finds new and better ways to share the 4-H story. Miss Addie s work with all 4-H ers, as well as her sons, is proof that she values the 4-H program and the positive difference it makes in youth and their families. Green is also active in the Alabama 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association, and serving on the state board has added to her knowledge of 4-H and allowing her to share her 4-H experience with new adult volunteers across Alabama. Nominated by Tammy Powell 12 13