BOURBONNAIS, Ill — University of Illinois Extension in Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties over the past month have announced the recipients of the 2025 4-H Alumni Award. This award recognizes individuals who were previously in 4-H and whose contributions to society exemplify effective citizenship and leadership success in their chosen careers and to sustaining interest in 4-H and similar community endeavors.
“Though these awards look different from county to county, we want to take the time to recognize those alumni who’s achievements reflect the lifelong impact of the 4-H program,” said Emilia Elabed, 4-H youth development educator serving Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties. “4-H equips young people with skills and confidence that carry into adulthood, preparing them to be ‘Beyond Ready’ for life.”
Award recipients in each county were recognized at their respective county 4-H awards presentations. Local winners are:
Amanda Paarlberg, Kankakee County
The Kankakee County recipient of the Alumni Award is Amanda Paarlberg of Bourbonnais.
Kankakee County 4-H Federation Vice President Annie Rodawold said of Paarlberg:
“Tonight would not be possible without this alum. She is the perfect example of the lifelong learning and spirit of 4-H. She is a Kankakee 4-H alumn, and was a true leader during her time as a 4-H club president, setting an example for youth on how to prepare for and run meetings. She always had outstanding records, and went on to achieve success in 4-H on both the state and national level. She was a Superior Young Livestock Producer winner, and represented Illinois 4-H at the 4-H National Congress.
Taking a Beyond Ready approach early on, she attended Purdue University, studying Agriculture. She continued to give back, coaching grade school volleyball while a student. After graduating, she continued her Ag journey, working for Van Drunen Farms, Golden Harvest Seeds, and now Saathoff Seeds. She still continues to learn and give back as a member of the Kankakee Farm Bureau Young Leaders. She also assists the River Valley FFA Advisors.
She uses her skills and interest in Foods to bake goods monthly for soup kitchens, nursing homes, and cupcakes for the Kankakee 4-H Foundation Cash Bash. Lastly, she exemplifies the 4-H pledge to Health to better living for the community, country, and world. She is an avid runner, running the Chicago Shamrock Shuffle, the Chicago Marathon, raising funds for World Vision, and even doing an International ½ marathon into Canada and back.”
Luke Brockman, Grundy County
The first Grundy County recipient of the Alumni Award is Luke Brockman of Mazon.
Grundy County 4-H Federation member Isabella Truhlar said:
"This year’s first recipient of the Grundy County Alumni Award is Luke Brockman. Luke was a 12 year member of the Highland Ag 4-H Club. Luke has been involved in 4-H his whole life. His parents volunteered for many years as the Poultry and Swine Superintendents and served on our Fair Board and Luke was right there helping out wherever needed. Soon after Luke completed his 4-H years, he was helping out with the poultry program himself and took over for his mom as Superintendent once she stepped away. Luke has run the program for many years now as his three children, Abby, McKenna, and Austin, are now involved in 4-H in the same club he grew up in. He and his wife, Melissa, have volunteered many hours running the poultry show and always willing to help out anywhere needed including with fundraisers and set up and clean up.”
Cash Biros, Grundy County
The second Grundy County recipient of the Alumni Award is Cash Biros of Mazon.
Grundy County 4-H Federation member Isabella Truhlar said:
“Cash grew up in Mazon on a dairy farm where he was in a member of the Coal City Community 4-H Club. Cash and his wife Sarah have been very involved in the 4-H program as leaders and dairy superintendent. Cash’s two sons, Ben and Sam, are both members now, and the family continues to be very involved. Cash also serves on our Livestock Auction Committee and is always around the lend a helping hand whenever needed. Cash assists with making items for fundraisers and set up and clean up for fairs and events.”
With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond: Participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military.
If you are a 4-H alumni, sign up for the free Illinois 4-H Alumni Association at go.illinois.edu/4halum.
For more information about 4-H in your county, visit go.illinois.edu/About4HGKW
WRITER: Anthony Warmack, communications coordinator, Illinois Extension
SOURCE: Brooke Katcher, 4-H recruitment and engagement coordinator, Illinois Extension
ABOUT ILLINOIS 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.
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 700 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 six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.