Ten Illinois 4-H teens were honored as Illinois 4-H Key Award winners for their leadership, community service and mentoring activities throughout their 4-H career. The award is sponsored by the H. Richard and Sarah F. McFarland Endowed 4-H Youth Leadership Development Support Fund from the Illinois 4-H Foundation.

Winners include Codie Geisz, 18, of Elizabeth in JoDaviess County; Dena Harridge, 19, of Mt. Carroll in Carroll County; Jalyne Herren, 17, of Sheridan in Kendall County; Emily Irwin, 17, of Belvidere in Boone County; Jaylene Jennings, 19, of DeKalb in DeKalb County; Kelley Koester, 18 of Elizabeth in JoDaviess County; Cameron Parks, 16, of Bloomington in McLean County; Lura Parrent, 18, of Normal in McLean County; Meghan Price, 18, of Peotone in Will County; and Renee Tillman, 18, of Altamont in Effingham County.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Judy Mae Bingman, University of Illinois Extension Marketing and Communications Manager

Judy uses powerful words and photography to tell the Extension story. She is a skilled communication strategist and storyteller with demonstrated success in building teams and creating strong organizational brand identities that deepen Extension’s impact among key audiences, build brand loyalty, strengthen employee talent, and expand public engagement. She is a frequent conference presenter at the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Conference and helps Extension staff across the nation tell compelling stories.