LEWISTOWN, Ill - Each year, Fulton County 4-H is pleased to offer scholarships to graduating high school 4-H members who have actively participated in 4-H events and exhibited leadership during their 4-H career. Thanks to generous financial donors, Fulton County 4-H was able to present $6,600 in scholarships to eight area graduates in May.
Lily Anderson of the Farmington Lucky Clovers 4-H Club, and graduate of Farmington Central High School, was awarded the Merle L. Jenkins Agricultural Scholarship and funds from SEFF (Support Extension and 4-H Fund). During her 4-H career, Lily held the offices of Reporter, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, and President. While in 4-H, Lily has worked with younger kids and taught them how to show pigs, exercise them properly, and how to keep the barn tidy in addition to other activities to benefit them and the pigs. She states that she has always enjoyed assisting these families because it has helped her to develop skills that will benefit her when she pursues her future goal to become an educator. Lily will attend Eastern Oklahoma State College where she plans to major in Agriculture Education.
Kaylee Grebner of the Big 10 4-H Club, and a graduate of Canton High School, has been awarded the Virginia Barnard Memorial Scholarship and funds from SEFF. While a 4-H member, Kaylee spent several years in leadership roles as both Secretary and Club President. Kaylee credits 4-H in helping her develop leadership skills, and throughout her club experience, she has made several new friends. 4-H project interests include riding and showing horses and food decorating. Future career goals include attending Spoon River College before transferring to a four-year University to complete her degree in Elementary Education. Kaylee would like to become an Elementary School Teacher and continue running her cupcake business, Kaylee’s Country Cupcakes.
Caleb Hartstirn of the Fairview Huskies 4-H Club recently graduated from Spoon River Valley High School. Caleb was the recipient of the Gary Eathington Memorial Scholarship and funds from SEFF. A ten-year club member, Caleb has held the office of Treasurer and is a past Achievement Member. Community service activities include yard work clean-up for community members, making blankets for hospital patients, making gift stockings for military personnel, and placing flags on graves for Memorial Day. Caleb shared that 4-H has helped him learn responsibility and how to care for his livestock, and to help those in need. Plans include attending Spoon River College this Fall where he has enrolled in the Ag Business Management Program.
Mallory Kotewa is a member of the Busy Bees 4-H Club, a graduate of Lewistown Community High School, and has been awarded a scholarship from the Hilda Rock Memorial Scholarship fund. Mallory is an eight-year member of 4-H and has attained the status of Achievement Member for seven of those years. Some of the leadership positions held include Vice-President and President. Mallory has assisted at Clover Clinic, helped with setting up and cleaning up after the 4-H General Show, and been instrumental in working with her fellow club members in deep cleaning the 4-H Food Stand, assembling and painting picnic tables, and working extra Food Stand shifts during the Fulton County Fair. Mallory shared that 4-H has taught her time management, confidence, and leadership. This Fall, Mallory will attend Luther College where she plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in music education, and eventually teach in a rural school.
Kelsey Patterson is a recent graduate of Farmington Central High School and a ten-year member of the Farmington Lucky Clovers 4-H Club. Kelsey has been awarded the Hilda Rock Memorial Scholarship, Roberta Mahr Memorial Scholarship, and funds from SEFF. Throughout her 4-H career, Kelsey has held the offices of Reporter, Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice-President in addition to serving as community service chairperson. Kelsey shares that through 4-H she has learned to connect with and mentor younger members at both club meetings and at the county fair. Kelsey went on to state that she had help from some amazing older kids and looked up to them when she started showing sheep and hopes that she has been able to do the same for the kids who have followed. Kelsey’s project interests include sheep and photography, particularly livestock. Plans include attending Eastern Oklahoma State College where she will join the livestock judging team, then transfer to Oklahoma State University where she will major in Agricultural Communications.
Aubrianna Putman of the Canton Luckettes 4-H Club and a graduate of Canton High School has been awarded a scholarship from 4-H Federation and funds from SEFF. While in 4-H, Aubrianna has held the offices of Secretary, Treasurer, and President. Throughout her 4-H career, Aubrianna has raised and exhibited rabbits for her own project in addition to mentoring new 4-H members in the same project area. Helping other members with their rabbits include teaching the kids how to care for them, which includes feeding rations and schedules, and preparing them for show. Aubrianna credits 4-H with helping her with her communications skills through talks and demonstrations during club meetings. Aubrianna will attend Illinois State University where she plans to major in Biology with future aspirations of becoming a physician.
Morgan Tracey of both the Avondale and Fulton County 4-H Shooting Sports 4-H Clubs recently graduated from Abingdon-Avon High School. Morgan is the recipient of the Phillips Scholarship and funds from SEFF. During her membership in the Avondale 4-H club, Morgan has held the offices of Vice-President and President, and achieved the status of Achievement Members for nine years. Morgan enjoys helping others through community service efforts of her club’s “Giving Thanks” meal that they prepare, cook, and deliver to shut-ins, and tornado clean-up in the Avon area. Morgan also shares her beekeeping project knowledge with other 4-H members and is a mentor to younger members in the 4-H Shooting Sports Club. Morgan shares that 4-H has taught her to get involved, which eventually led her to the 4-H Shooting Sports National Shotgun Championship in Grand Island, Nebraska. Morgan will attend Illinois College this Fall where she will major in Nursing.
Kinslee Wickert of the Jolly Workers 4-H Club has recently completed her Homeschool High School degree. Kinslee has been awarded a scholarship from the Hilda Rock Memorial Scholarship fund. While in 4-H, Kinslee has held the offices of Secretary and Vice-President, and was a previous Achievement Member. Community service has been an integral part of Kinslee’s 4-H background and career as her club takes care of planting and maintaining the flowerpots at the 4-H Food Stand, cleaning and raking the yard of the Farm Bureau Building each spring and purchasing gifts for children in need during the holiday season. Kinslee has been an active participant and crew leader during Farm Safety Day and Clover Clinic, as well as assisting with set-up of the 4-H General Show. Cooking, sewing, and raising sheep and goats are some of Kinslee’s 4-H project interests. Kinslee’s plans include attending either Parkland College or Blackhawk College studying Veterinary Technology.
The Fulton County 4-H program deeply appreciates the dedication and financial support from the donors of these ongoing scholarships. For more information about the Fulton County 4-H program or 4-H Scholarships, please contact Krista Gray at 309-547-3711 or by emailing kristakg@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.