Champaign, 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 scholarships provide youth with the opportunity to further their education,” says Sophia Schneider of Logan County, a recipient of a 2025 leadership scholarship. “Being recognized for years of hard work and dedication at the state level inspires me to keep pushing forward and striving for excellence.”
A celebration and ceremony was held on Saturday, April 5 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.
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: Davis Howell, Dewitt County; Faustina Krysciak, Kendell County; Lilliana Bernabei, LaSalle County; Saralynn Joiner, Macoupin County; Alaina Dinderman, Stephenson County.
This award was sponsored by Dave & Lisa McMurtry, Karen Moore, Keith Parr, 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: Caleb Zwilling, Champaign County; Calvin Hamill, McHenry County; Amanda Niemann, Montgomery County; Elaan Bader, Montgomery County; Bailey Callahan, Rock Island County.
This award is sponsored by Nann Armstrong, Ron & Melanie Warfield, and Mark & Lee Ann Gossett.
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: Eden Sanborn, Champaign County; Nathaniel Wiesbrook, Champaign County; Benjamin Wamsley, Christian County; Natlie Royer, Macoupin County; Saebra Curl, Shelby County.
This award is sponsored by Dr. Janice Seitz, Kevin & Janette Rhoades and Lissa Parr.
The Gardening, Ag, and Food Access award focuses on youth who have focused on food production, processing, distribution, and access. The winners are: Andrea Schaffnit, Adams County; Ashley Walbring, Adams
County; and Hailey Bohn, Bond County, Cole Paulek, Christian County and Drew Mickey, Christian County.
This award is sponsored by Karen Moore, Dr. Larry Hageman, Dee Murray, Dr. Janice Seitz, and Chicago Farmers.
The Healthy Living & Nutrition award focuses on youth who are helping their communities make healthy decisions and lead healthy lifestyles. The winners are: Ellie Hildebrandt, Boone County; Sophia Hartke, Champaign County; Ojas Shah, McLean County; Ruby Hillegass, Will County; Dominic Burkett, Williamson County.
This award is sponsored by Pat Clickener, Donna Mueller, Dee Murray, and Kevin & Janette Rhoades.
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: Jeremiah Todd, Champaign County; Sophia Schneider, Logan County; Elizabeth Cornett, Macon County; Lilah Bonny, Shelby County; Alana Dolan, Vermillion County.
This award is sponsored by Dave & Lisa McMurtry, Pat Clickener, Donna Mueller, Dee Murray, and the Illinois 4-H Foundation.
The Natural Resources & Environmental Science award recognizes youth who have focused on environmental stewardship. The winners are: Noah Felipe Munoz-Lo, Cook County; Caroline Spangler, Fulton County: Therese Krysciak, Kendall County; Greyson Marincic, LaSalle County; Alex Paul, Wayne County.
This award was sponsored by Art & Sharon Tenhouse, Stu &Barbara Hawbaker, and 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: Lydia Zanger, Adams County; Grace Iluyomade, Champaign County; Sophia Stuart, Champaign County; Devin Joseph, Cook County; Kari Wier, DuPage County.
This award is sponsored by Pat Clickener, Barbara & George Clark, and Illinois 4-H Foundation.
The STEM & Robotics award recognizes youth who have focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The winners are: Paige Siegmund, Champaign County; Lance Woolam, Adams County; Braeden Hamill, McHenry County; Dylan Hamill, McHenry County; Reese Connor, McHenry County; Oscar Pagles, Winnebago 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.
“It’s an honor for 4-H to invest in my future, and it pushes me to achieve my goals,” says Ojas Shah of McLean County, a National 4-H Youth in Action finalist and scholarship recipient. “Knowing this organization is there for me each step of the way makes me beyond proud and happy.”
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 700 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 six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.