URBANA, Ill. -The Illinois 4-H Foundation provided $25,000 in college scholarships and awarded another $20,000 in national conference travel scholarships this year.
Illinois 4-H Foundation presents the Legacy of Leadership Scholarship to 4-H members who demonstrate and maintain a high standard of 4-H excellence and mastery during their membership tenure. Franklin County 4-H member, Andrea Miller, was named one of the Legacy of Leadership Scholarship winners. As a 10-year member of 4-H, Miller is also a member of the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team, Teen Teacher, National 4-H Conference delegate, and serves as a 4-H club president. She volunteers at the mobile market and enjoys health, public speaking, horse, goat, cooking, and sewing projects.
“4-H is holistically shaping the leader and future adult I will become. It is an organization of great mentors and leaders that instill work ethic, drive, passion, and kindness into the youth of the world. 4-H is the underlying foundation of my character,” stated Miller.
Miller currently studies health management and Spanish at Saint Louis University. She plans to receive dual master’s degrees in health administration and law and hopes to run her own long-term care facility. She is the daughter of Lisa Gariepy & Mark Miller.
“Our donors are generous and believe that higher education changes lives,” said Angie Barnard, Foundation executive director. Donors include Nann Armstrong, Patricia Clickener, Lila Jeanne Eichelberger, Keith and Lissa Parr, Donna Mueller, Dee Murray, George Obernagel, Legacy of Leadership endowment contributors, LA-CO, Barbara and George Clark, Barbara and George Clark, Ryan and Elaine Ruwe, Marvin and Elizabeth Schnitzler, Carrie Francis, Jason and Andrya Smith, Auxiliary to the Illinois State Veterinary Medicine Association and the Illinois 4-H Foundation.
Legacy of Leadership Scholarship winners include: Erin Anderson, Iroquois County; Anne Becker, Morgan County; Erin Curley, McDonough County; Austin Dufelmeier, Morgan County; Emma Eathington, Fulton County; Rachel Fishburn, Sangamon County; Julian Heidrich, Kendall County; Logan Henerfauth, Monroe County; Erin Kistner, Montgomery County; Andrea Miller, Franklin County; Abigail Steffens, Logan County; Abigail Stichter, Whiteside County; Dalton Wachter, JoDaviess County; Katie White, Morgan County; Karlie Wilken, Iroquois County.
The foundation also awards scholarships to teens who concentrate efforts in animal science projects. The winner of the 4-H Livestock Scholarship is Logan Hendrix of Clark County. The 4-H Veterinary Science Award winner is Taylor Sondgeroth of McLean County.
“Our awardees embody the true spirit of 4-H, having made a difference not only in their communities, but also Illinois and the nation,” said Lisa Diaz, University of Illinois Extension assistant dean and director of Illinois 4-H. “We are proud of the dedication, service, and fortitude of the young men and women who have developed through our 4-H programs.”
Twenty-four young adults were also recognized as winners in one of five divisions of the State 4-H Award. Each winner may choose either a $1,000 scholarship or a trip to National 4-H Congress in Atlanta.
The communication division winner is Mallory Ames of Champaign County. Honored in the area of community service are Rachel Fishburn of Sangamon County, Abigail Rozanas of Boone County and Carlson Rozanas of Boone County.
In the leadership division, winners are Austin Dufelmeier or Morgan County, Julian Heidrich of Kendall County, Delaney Smith of Champaign County and Katie White of Morgan County.
The seven winners in the personal growth division include Sarah Anderson of Macon County, Hannah Beran of Boone County, Erin Curley of McDonough County, Genevieve Ellingson of Boone County, Caleb Grover of Christian County, Anthony Joiner or Macoupin County and Cavit Schempp.
Project mastery winners include Katelyn Engel of Knox County, Ariana Hinkle of Logan County, Kendall Knodle of Montgomery County, Hannah Longlett of Adams County, Daniel Kloppe of Sangamon County, Michell Marck of Stephenson County, Lydia Oker of Kendall County, Camryn Parker of Hamilton County and Sara Timm of Marion County.
Source: Angie Barnard, Director, Illinois 4-H Foundation, 217-333-9295
Source: Dr. Lisa Diaz, Assistant Dean & Director 4-H Youth Development, 217-333-0910
News Writer: Katie Duitsman, Illinois 4-H Leadership & Recognition Specialist, 217-333-0910