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 $6,000 in scholarships to seven area graduates during their Senior Award ceremonies in April and May.
Ella Eathington of the Fairview Huskies 4-H Club, and graduate of Spoon River Valley High School, was awarded the Merle L. Jenkins Agricultural Scholarship and the Gary Eathington Memorial Scholarship. During her ten-year 4-H career, Ella held the offices of President, Secretary, Recreation Officer, and Scrapbooker. While in 4-H, Ella mentored younger kids by assisting them as they selected their projects and offered advice to help them succeed. Community service activities included cleaning yards for the elderly and making blankets for children who were patients at Graham Hospital. Ella will attend the University of Illinois Champaign - Urbana where she plans to major in Agriculture Science, focusing on embryology and genetics, specific to the cattle industry.
Isabelle Kemp of the Avondale 4-H Club, and a graduate of Abingdon-Avon High School, has been awarded funds from the Hilda Rock Memorial Scholarship. A ten-year 4-H member, Izzy held officer roles as Secretary, Reporter, and Activity Chair. Izzy also spent several years of her 4-H career as a member of the Fulton County 4-H Livestock Judging Team. Isabelle shares that 4-H has shown her a sense of community through the friends and connections she has made during her years as a 4-H member. Isabelle will attend Oklahoma State University where she will study Agribusiness – Pre-Veterinary Business Management. Career goals include becoming a rural veterinarian and eventually owning her own mixed practice clinic.
Madeline Lettow of the Logan Leaders 4-H Club recently graduated from Farmington Central High School. Maddy was the recipient of the Beverly Reffett Memorial Scholarship. A ten-year club member, Madeline has held the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, Reporter, and Recreation Chair. Community service activities include park and playground clean-up, collecting food for Christmas baskets, and volunteering at the Midwest Food Bank. Maddy shared that leadership and service skills developed in 4-H created the foundation for her continued commitment to helping others beyond the program. Plans include attending the University of North Dakota and majoring in Commercial Aviation.
Bryer Nelson is a member of the Farmington Lucky Clovers 4-H Club, a graduate of Canton High School, and has been awarded the Virginia Barnard Memorial Scholarship. Bryer is a ten-year member of 4-H and is currently President of his club. While in 4-H, Bryer has organized and led canned food drives, made blankets for nursing home residents, and cleaned veteran memorial bricks. Bryer will attend the University of Illinois in Champaign where he plans to major in Agriculture, focusing on communications and education.
Anna Serven of the Avondale 4-H Club and a graduate of Abingdon-Avon High School has been awarded a scholarship from the Hilda Rock Memorial. During her ten years in 4-H, Anna has held the offices of Secretary, Reporter, and Vice President. Anna has also been a long-time member of the Fulton County 4-H Livestock Judging Team. Anna shared that her goal throughout the last four years in high school has been to be a positive role model to the younger 4-H members by teaching them what real showmanship looks like in the ring – even if you are not the winner. Anna’s plans include majoring in Agribusiness at Purdue University.
Caroline Spangler is a recent graduate of Bushnell-Prairie City High School and a ten-year member of the Checkrow Volunteers 4-H Club. Caroline has been awarded the Hilda Rock Memorial Scholarship. Throughout her ten-year 4-H career, Caroline has held the offices of Reporter, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, and President in addition to serving as recreational chairperson. Some of Caroline’s fondest memories include attending Clover Clinic and helping in the cattle barns during the Fulton County Fair. Caroline shares that in 4-H, involvement becomes a sense of belonging shaped by tradition, service, and community. Caroline plans to attend the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana where she will major in Graphic Design and minor in Advertising.
Lily Terwilliger of the Avondale 4-H Club recently graduated from Abingdon-Avon High School. Lily is the recipient of a scholarship from the Hilda Rock Memorial. During her five-year membership in the Avondale 4-H club, Lily has held the office of Reporter. Lily 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. Lily plans to attend Monmouth College where she will obtain her degree in Biology and Nursing.
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 or Kaytlin Lehman at 309-547-3711 or by emailing kristakg@illinois.edu or klehman@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.