CLINTON, Ill. — Spring is scholarship season, and several area youths are the recipients of DeWitt County 4-H Foundation Scholarships. These 4-H members have all demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities within their clubs and communities.
Dawson Raines, son of Gavin and Elizabeth Raines of Farmer City, has been awarded the John Barr Memorial and Monsanto Scholarship. Dawson has been a member of the Helping Hands 4-H Club for ten years and has held the offices of President and Treasurer. He has excelled in projects such as Electricity, Natural Resources, Animal Science, and Welding.
Elana Bruns, daughter of David and Mariya Bruns of Chestnut, has been awarded the John Barr Memorial and Monsanto Scholarship. Elana has been a Rebel Riders 4-H Club member for seven years and has held the office of Secretary. Elana has demonstrated project excellence in showing Horses, Rabbits, Poultry, Photography, and Visual Arts.
Morgan Drozs, daughter of Chris and Kathi Drozs of Farmer City, has been awarded the John Barr Memorial and Exelon Scholarship. Morgan has been a member of the Jimtown 4-H Club for ten years. She has held the offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer and has served as a Teen Teacher. Morgan’s award-winning marksmanship skills led her to the National 4-H Shooting Sports Competition, where she competed in Air Rifle. She has also excelled in Visual Arts, Cooking, Civic Engagement, Leadership, and more.
Jessie Wertz, daughter of Matt and Beth Wertz of Wapella, has been awarded the Deborah Mills-Ackerman Memorial and Gordon Goble Memorial Scholarship. Jessie is a ten-year 4-H member and has been a member of the Lucky Whirlwinds and Salt Creek Clovers 4-H clubs. She has held the offices of Reporter and Scrapbooker and has demonstrated project excellence in raising goats and visual arts.
Kathryn Toohill, daughter of James and Erin Toohill of LeRoy, has been awarded the Deborah D. Mills-Ackerman Memorial and Gordon Goble Memorial Scholarship. Kathryn has been a Rebel Riders 4-H Club member for nine years. She has excelled in projects such as Animal Science, Cooking, Horticulture, Photography, Rabbits, and Visual Arts.
Adara Meyen, daughter of Thomas and Cassandra Meyen of Clinton, has been awarded the Deborah D. Mills-Ackerman Memorial and Exelon Scholarship. Adara is an eight-year member of the Town & Country 4-H Club and has held the offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. She has also served as an assistant for the Clinton Cloverbuds and the Sewing Club and has excelled in projects such as Clothing, Electricity, Entomology, Geology, Robotics, and Visual Arts.
WRITER: Maria Lighnter, Marketing and Communications, University of Illinois Extension
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.