LEWISTOWN, Ill. - University of Illinois Extension, Fulton County 4-H is honored to recognize six high school graduates for their outstanding 4-H accomplishments and leadership. Thanks to scholarship funds established by local donors, $4,550 was awarded this year.
Sam Hensley, of Bushnell, was honored with the Hilda Rock Memorial Scholarship ($625). Sam credits his 4-H experiences for his love for agriculture. “4-H has shaped my leadership skills, public speaking abilities, and love for agriculture,” stated Sam in his scholarship application. He also highlights his 4-H friendships gained and community service projects experienced. Sam plans to attend University of Illinois to study engineering technology and management for agriculture systems.
Hannah Johnson graduated from Illinois Math and Science Academy and will be attending St. Louis University to study biomedical engineering. She has been a member of the Logan Leaders for the past five years. Hannah was given the Hilda Rock Memorial Scholarship ($625), plus the Fulton 4-H Federation Scholarship ($100).
Tanner Putman, Class of 2022 Canton High School graduate, was selected to receive three scholarships: Hilda Rock Memorial Scholarship ($625), Phillips 4-H Scholarship ($250), and Fulton 4-H Federation Scholarship ($100). Throughout his nine-year 4-H career, he has been active in 4-H Federation and a wide variety of community service projects. Tanner is already a certified nursing assistant and plans to further his education in the medical field.
Tanner’s application highlights the friendships he has made through 4-H. “My best friend and I met at the Fulton County Fair at a 4-H activity. He is from Lewistown and we would not have met if not for 4-H.”
Mason Tessier is a ten-year 4-H member of the Fairview Huskies and plans to attend Spoon River College in the fall to begin his education to become an electrical or mechanical engineer. Mason was awarded the Hilda Rock Memorial Scholarship ($625) and Fulton 4-H Federation Scholarship ($100).
Chloe Nelson-VanMiddlesworth has been a member of the Canton Luckettes 4-H club for ten years where she has held the leadership roles of president, vice president, secretary, and junior leader. Chloe’s future plans include veterinary school at University of Illinois. She was awarded Phillips 4-H Scholarship ($250), Roberta Mahr Memorial Scholarship ($100) and Virginia Barnard Memorial Scholarship ($500).
“The confidence I have gained and the work ethic I have developed through 4-H has allowed me to be successful in many other areas,” stated Chloe.
Kyle Eathington, from Avon, was recognized by the Merle L. Jenkins Memorial Agricultural Scholarship ($150) and Gary Eathington Memorial Scholarship ($500). Kyle is currently in his tenth year as a 4-H member of the Fairview Huskies 4-H club. The beef project has been Kyle’s area of focus throughout his 4-H career. He plans to attend University of Illinois majoring in animal science.
“4-H has always been important in my life,” noted Kyle in his scholarship application. “I have shown cattle my whole life through 4-H. Without it I would not have the work ethic or be who I am today.”
The Fulton County 4-H scholarships have been established to support 4-Hers and honor alumni.
Hilda Rock was a long-time 4-H leader from the Cuba area.
The Phillips 4-H Scholarship is sponsored by Roger and Cathy Phillips, who wanted to help a deserving 4-H member further his or her education.
Roberta Mahr was a former leader of the Farmington Lucky Clovers 4-H club and the club continues to fund the scholarship in her memory.
Gary Eathington was a 40-year 4-H leader who passed away in the fall of 2012. Gary raised cattle and was a big supporter of 4-H and University of Illinois.
Merle L. Jenkins, a 1939 graduate of the University of Illinois (B.S. Agriculture), was a long-time supporter of agriculture, youth, and education in Fulton County, including service on the Fulton County Fair Board and Lewistown School Board, agriculture teacher, and a life-long farmer in Fulton County. As an on-going tribute to Mr. Jenkins, family and friends established The Merle L. Jenkins Memorial Agricultural Scholarship to honor him for his great love of agriculture and education throughout his life.
Virginia Barnard was a Fulton County 4-H leader for 69 years, who passed away in 2017. This scholarship goes to a 4-H member pursuing a college education in Agriculture or Home Economics, and who is beginning studies at Spoon River College.
Fulton County 4-H Federation is a group of 4-H members ages 13 and up who assist in planning, conducting, and helping with county wide 4-H events.
Congratulations to all six scholarship recipients! These 4-H members are to be commended for their hard work and dedication to 4-H over the years.
For more information on the Fulton County 4-H program and its vast array of activities, call 547-3711 or email Krista Gray, Fulton 4-H program coordinator at kristakg@illinois.edu.
About University of Illinois Extension: University of Illinois Extension is the flagship outreach effort of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, offering educational programs to residents of all of Illinois' 102 counties — and far beyond. Extension provides practical education you can trust to help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. U of I Extension offers educational programs in five broad areas: energy and environmental stewardship, food safety and security, economic development and workforce preparedness, family health, financial security, and wellness, and youth development.
About 4-H: Illinois 4-H strives to help youth learn skills for living. University of Illinois Extension provides 4-H programs in every county in Illinois. Illinois 4-H aims to impact the lives of 200,000 youth each year through sustained learning clubs and groups and short-term programming.
Source: Krista Gray, Fulton 4-H program coordinator, kristakg@illinois.edu, 309-547-3711