Urbana, Ill. – The career achievements of Illinois 4-H members are being celebrated with $67,500 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 scholarships recognize more than achievement, they reflect the leadership, responsibility, and real-world skills 4-H members have built through their experiences,” said Melissa Irwin, University of Illinois Extension 4-H club support and awards associate. “Recipients are not only excelling in 4-H, they are preparing to succeed in college, careers, and their communities.”
A celebration and ceremony was held on Friday, April 3 in Champaign in conjunction with a Signing Day Event celebrating 4-H seniors.
A signing event serves as a time to celebrate 4-H graduates and their chosen path forward, whether that is work, military service, college or apprenticeship programs as part of the Beyond Ready National 4-H initiative.
Forty-five young adults were chosen as scholarship winners in one of nine divisions of the State 4-H Award. Each winner receives a $1,250 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: Hunter Shike, Champaign County; Allie Peterson, DeKalb County; Morgan Crouch, Macon County; Carter Joiner, Macoupin County; Annsley Healy, White County; and Avery Edler, Will County.
This award was sponsored by Dave & Lisa McMurtry, Karen Moore, in memory of her husband, Jimmy Moore, Keith & Lissa Parr, the estate of Linda Hiltabrand, and George Obernagel.
The Civil Engagement & Global Living award recognizes youth that have focused on 4-H work in service to/for others. The winners are: Julia Gergen, DuPage County; Madeline Lettow, Fulton County; Ava Pulley, Jersey County; Annie Ralston, Kendall County; Lilliana Bernabei, LaSalle County; and Sophia Schneider, Logan County.
This award is sponsored by Nann Armstrong, Ron & Melanie Warfield, Mark & Lee Ann Gossett, and the Illinois 4-H Foundation.
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: Lydia Zanger, Adams County; Kaitlyn Hall, Clark County; Devin Joseph, Cook County; Kari Wier, DuPage County; Emma Vanderstappen, McHenry County; and Bailey Callahan, Rock Island County.
This award is sponsored by Dr. Janice Seitz, Kevin & Janette Rhoades in memory of Kevin’s parents, Norman and Mary Ann Rhoades, and Keith & Lissa Parr.
The Gardening, Agriculture & Food Access award focuses on youth who have focused on food production, processing, distribution, and access. The winners are: Faustina Krysciak, Kendall County; Hallee Kaburick, Macoupin County; Ryan Carlson, Marshall-Putnam County; Stefani Vanderstappen, McHenry County; Kate Bushue, Moultrie-Douglas County; and Alaina Dinderman, Stephenson County.
This award is sponsored by the Dr. Larry Hageman State 4-H Scholarship Endowment, Karen Moore, in memory of her husband, Jimmy Moore, Dr. Janice Seitz, Dee Murray, and the Illinois 4-H Foundation.
The Healthy Living & Nutrition award focuses on youth who are helping their communities make healthy decisions and lead healthy lifestyles. The winners are: Jeremiah Todd, Champaign County; Neda Bazys, Cook County; Lydia Sherburne, Ogle County; Lilah Bonny, Shelby County; Peter Widinski, Will County; and Oscar Pagles, Winnebago County.
This award is sponsored by John & Leta Anderson, Donna Mueller, Dee Murray, Kevin & Janette Rhoades, in memory of Kevin’s parents, Norman and Mary Ann Rhoades, and the Illinois 4-H Foundation.
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: Caleb Zwilling, Champaign County; Drew Mickey, Christian County; Therese Krysciak, Kendall County; Ojas Shah, McLean County; Caitlin Murphy, Peoria County; and Alex Paul, Wayne County.
This award is sponsored by Dave & Lisa McMurtry, Andy Edwards, Donna Mueller, Dee Murray, and the John F. Bushman State 4-H Scholarship Endowment, Harold & Nancy Diamond.
The Natural Resources & Environmental Science award recognizes youth who have focused on environmental stewardship. The winners are: Lance Woolam, Adams County; Sierra Miller, Adams County; McKenna Arnold, Lake County; Nina Nageswaran, McHenry County; Amanda Niemann, Montgomery County; and Owen Kocher, Richland County.
This award was sponsored by Art & Sharon Tenhouse and the Illinois 4-H Foundation.
The Personal Growth award recognizes youth that have focused on personal growth through their participation in the 4-H program. The winners are: Heidi Zanger, Adams County; Addison McGlaughlin, Boone County; Isabela Barnas, Kankakee County; Eva Piccolo, McHenry County; Nathan Duncan, McHenry County; and Caroline Simmons, White County.
This award is sponsored by George & Barbara Clark, Dr. Janice Seitz, Jim and Cheryl Wormley, and Don & Karen Wettstein.
The STEM & Robotics award recognizes youth who have focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The winners are: Liam Ellingson, Boone County; Annika Deschler, Champaign County; Benjamin Wamsley, Christian County; Kayli Gergen, DuPage County; Joseph Hoffman, Lake County; and Dhruv Raviunuthala, McLean County.
This award was sponsored by the Sharon & Art Tenhouse, Dr. Janice Seitz, Dee Murray, the Lisa Woessner Memorial 4-H Science Endowment, and the Illinois 4-H Foundation.
“Through the Illinois 4-H scholarship program, we are investing in young people who have demonstrated commitment, growth, and a strong foundation for the future,” said Irwin. “These awards help open doors while reinforcing the career-ready skills youth gain through 4-H.”
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.
Writers: Sophia Schneider, 4-H Communications Intern
Media Contact: Carissa Nelson, Media Communications Manager, 4-H State Office, carissa7@illinois.edu
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.