Kyle Spangler of rural Ellisville has received a $1,000 scholarship for being an Illinois 4-H State Award Winner.  Kyle is the son of Robert and Velynna Spangler, and is a high school senior.  He is a 10-year member of the Checkrow Volunteers 4-H Club in Fulton County.  He is also a member of the Fulton County 4-H Shooting Sports Club, and is currently president of Fulton County 4-H Federation.

Kyle was presented with his scholarship at an awards program and banquet on October 5 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Champaign, Illinois.  The theme of the event was “Celebrating Excellence.”  This event was supported by the Illinois 4-H Foundation.

Kyle’s state award scholarship was in Project Mastery – Woodworking.  Twenty-four state awards were presented that day, seven of which were in Project Mastery.  Other 4-H awards were also presented.

The journey toward receiving this scholarship began in August 2018, when Kyle submitted his 4-H award application for county and state 4-H awards.  4-H members have the opportunity to do this every year, and are recognized at the Fulton County 4-H Achievement Program in November.  The best of the older 4-H members’ award applications are later submitted for state judging in January, after which Kyle was named a finalist.  Finalists are invited for an in-person interview in March, and after that the state winners are selected.  Local University of Illinois Extension staff receive notification of a winner(s) in their county in May, and have the privilege of giving the good news to the award recipients.  Recipients have the choice between the $1,000 scholarship or a trip to National 4-H Congress.

The Fulton County 4-H Program congratulates Kyle on this prestigious honor.  For more information on the University of Illinois Extension 4-H Program in Fulton County, call University of Illinois Extension at 547-3711.