(ROCK ISLAND, Ill.) The Rock Island Rotary Club and the Rock Island County Extension & 4-H Education Foundation awarded $4,750 in scholarships on April 5, 2022 during the 50th Annual Bert Blood Memorial Scholarship awards ceremony held at the Quad City Botanical Center. Three Rock Island County 4-H members in their senior year of high school gave presentations about their 4-H experiences and were then notified of their award amounts by Rotary President Justin Peterson, IL Extension County Director Jenny Garner, and Bert Blood Scholarship Committee Chair John Wetzel.
2022 Bert Blood Memorial 4-H Scholarship Recipients were:
Evan DeKeyrel received a $1,500 scholarship. He is the son of Andy and Jodi DeKeyrel of Milan, Ill. After graduating from Rockridge High School in May, he plans to attend Black Hawk East to major in agricultural production. He has been a 10-year member of the Rockridge Royals 4-H club where he has served as treasurer and vice president. His favorite 4-H projects included showing cattle, and woodworking. He credits 4-H with helping him learn responsibility, hard work, and the importance of giving back through community service.
Dylan Craver received a $1,250 scholarship. He is the son of Jeff and Jill Craver of Taylor Ridge, Ill. After graduating from Rockridge High School in May, he plans to attend Black Hawk East to major in agricultural production. He has been a 10-year member of the Rockridge Royals 4-H Club, serving as president and vice president. He credits 4-H with helping him learn the importance of community service, responsibility, and money management. His favorite 4-H projects have been raising and showing sheep.
Zoe Larkins received a $1,000 scholarship. She is the daughter of Dan and Heather Larkins of Orion, Ill. After graduating from Orion High School in May, she plans to attend Black Hawk College and is interested in pursuing work as an ultrasound technician. She has been an 11-year member of the Rural True Blues 4-H Club. Some of her favorite projects have been showing rabbits, cake decorating and health. She credits 4-H with helping her learn in-depth knowledge about her project areas, the importance of community service, and being a responsible citizen.
Two 4-H alumni members also will each received a $500 scholarship: Bryn Callahan of Moline, Ill. for his continuing education as a political science major at Eureka College, and Ryan Parchert of Illinois City, Ill. for his continuing education in agriculture business at University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
The Rock Island Rotary Club has been awarding the scholarships since 1973. They were started in honor of Albert M. "Bert" Blood, a long time Rock Island businessman, who organized the Rotary Club's annual Rural/Urban program up to his death in 1972 at age 101. Bert worked hard to ensure that Rock Island Rotary Club kept in touch with their dependence on rural production and supply. As tuition costs increased and with assistance of the Rock Island County Extension & 4-H Education Foundation, there is now a total of $4,750 in scholarships available to qualifying applicants each year.