Urbana, Ill. – The career achievements of Illinois 4-H members are being celebrated with $45,000 in scholarships awarded by the Illinois 4-H Foundation.
The scholarships are awarded to five Illinois 4-H members in nine focus categories and are based on merit and a demonstrated standard of 4-H excellence.
“These youth exhibit excellence and mastery in these interest areas,” says Lisa Diaz, University of Illinois Extension assistant dean and 4-H director. “These awards celebrate the hard work, dedication, growth, and leadership these youth have exhibited.”
The Illinois 4-H Foundation raises private and corporate funds to support the Illinois 4-H program. “Our donors deeply value education,” says Angie Barnard, Foundation executive director. “Their support of not only our program, but also the future education of 4-H members is so valuable.
A celebration and ceremony will be held April 9, 2022 in Champaign. The 2022 Experience Award winners will also be celebrated at this event.
State 4-H Award Winners
Forty-five young adults were chosen as scholarship winners in one of nine divisions of the State 4-H Award. Each winner receives a $1,000 scholarship.
The Animal Sciences award recognizes youth who have demonstrated and maintained a high standard of 4-H excellence and mastery in their animal science projects. The winners are:
- Justin Irwin, Boone County
- Lauren Wolter, Clinton County
- Anna Curley, McDonough County
- Emma Coursey, Warren County
- Jacqueline Schertz, Woodford County
This award was sponsored by Tim & Belinda Carey, George Obernagel, Keith and Lissa Parr, and Mark and Lee Ann Gossett.
The Civil Engagement & Global Living award recognizes youth that have focused on 4-H work in service to/for others. The winners are:
- Lydia Oker, Kendall County
- Sydney Reppy, Kendall County
- Anthony Joiner, Macoupin County
- Carina Engst, McLean County
- J Alden Knodle, Montgomery County
This award is sponsored Ron and Melanie Warfield and Nannette Armstrong.
The Creative & Performing Arts & Communications award recognizes youth that have focused their 4-H work on the arts and the art of communicating with others. The winners are:
- Elena Hevrdejs, Lake County
- Austin McNamara, McHenry County
- Nicole VandeWalker, McHenry County
- Clare Montavon, Ogle County
- Jorgi Dupureur, Tazewell County
This award is sponsored by Dee Murray, Kevin and Janette Rhoades, and the Illinois 4-H Foundation Legacy of Leadership Endowment.
The Food Systems award focuses on youth who have focused on food production, processing, distribution, and access. The winners are:
- Sophia Holmes, Cook County
- Jenna Haas, Jo Daviess County
- Emily Reppy, Kendall County
- Lexi Cobin, Perry County
- Callysta Borders, Union County
This award is sponsored by Bernie and Susan Heisner, Donna Mueller, Evelyn Brandt Thomas, Dr. Larry Hageman, and Ray and Patricia Brownfield.
The Healthy Living & Nutrition award focuses on youth who are helping their communities make healthy decisions and lead healthy lifestyles. The winners are:
- Libby Larkin, Livingston County
- Braylee Gilmore, Macoupin County
- Reagan Parks, McLean County
- Emma Salverson, Peoria County
- Victoria Zwilling, Richland County
This award is sponsored by Patricia Clickener, Donna Mueller, Kevin & Janette Rhoades, and Dr. Janice Seitz.
The Leadership award recognizes youth that have focused on the development of leadership skills, including offices held, committees served on, programs led, and public presentations given on behalf of 4-H. The winners are:
- Dylan Zwilling, Champaign County
- Justin Gergen, DuPage County
- Michelle Wang, Jackson County
- Katelyn Engel, Knox County
- Skye Schumaker, McLean County
This award is sponsored by Patricia Clickener, Donna Mueller, Dr. Janice Seitz, and Chicago Farmers.
The Natural Resources & Environmental Science award recognizes youth who have focused on environmental stewardship. The winners are:
- Kierstan Lampe, Clinton County
- Audra Spielman, Grundy County
- Matias Habib, Kendall County
- Elaan Bader, Montgomery County
- Lillian Frazee,Sangamon County
This award was sponsored by Brian & Kristin Deverman, Sharon and Art Tenhouse, Mark and Mary Kaufman, Walter Lynn, Colleen Callahan-Burns.
The Personal Growth award recognizes youth that have focused on personal growth through their participation in the 4-H program. The winners are:
- Hannah Johnson, Fulton County
- Elizabeth Melton, Kane County
- Klarissa Helton, Logan County
- Cole Rappe, Macon County
- Campbell Russo, Winnebago County
This award is sponsored by Patricia Clickener, Dave and Lisa McMurtry, Barbara and George Clark, and Dr. Janice Seitz.
The STEM & Robotics award recognizes youth who have focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The winners are:
- Nathan Fernando Munoz-Lo, Cook County
- Lauren Luker, Edwards County
- Zoe Ault, Kankakee County
- Dhruv Rebba, McLean County
- Lauren Haas, Tazewell County
This award was sponsored by the Lisa Woessner Memorial 4-H Science Endowment, Sharon and Art Tenhouse, Dee Murray, and Landon Frye.
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
About Extension: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.
Source: Katie Duitsman, 4-H Leadership Youth Development Extension Specialist, pilcher3@illinois.edu
Writer: Carissa Nelson, Media Communications Manager, 4-H State Office, carissa7@illinois.edu