4-H Extension Corner

INVESTING IN EXCELLENCE

4-H SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS RECOGNIZED

BY CAROLYN DRINKARD

The Alabama 4-H Foundation Board established a program in 2019 to honor 4-H students with scholarships, based on their exceptional accomplishments and hard work. As a way to continue its investment in excellence, the 4-H Foundation announced two more endowed scholarships of $1500 each in 2022.

“We are super excited to have added two additional endowed Alabama 4-H scholarships this year,” said Nancy Alexander, 4-H Extension Specialist. “The Barbara D. Thorne Endowment Scholarship and the Beth & Dr. Thomas Elliot 4-H Scholarship each upped our overall annual scholarship giving to $40,000.00 in 2022.”

To qualify for these scholarships, applicants submitted their 4-H story with a resume and a recommendation letter. The selection committee then based its awards on each student’s 4-H involvement and previous participation. This is different from other scholarships, which are based on a student’s GPA or standardized testing score. Three endowed Alabama 4-H scholarships were also awarded.

WE ARE SUPER EXCITED TO HAVE ADDED TWO ADDITIONAL ENDOWED ALABAMA 4-H SCHOLARSHIPS THIS YEAR. THE BARBARA D. THORNE ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP AND THE BETH & DR. THOMAS ELLIOT 4-H SCHOLARSHIP EACH UPPED OUR OVERALL ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP GIVING TO $40,000.00 IN 2022.

Nancy Alexander, 4-H Extension Specialist

Abigail Lee of Covington County 4-H received the Ann Barr 4-H Scholarship ($2,000, Auburn University Administered). Abigail plans to attend Auburn University to major in Biomedical Sciences. Whether competing, being an ambassador, or even participating in the youth council, Abigail loved every aspect of 4-H. “I feel like I have flourished as a 4-H'er,” she stated, “and I know that 4-H has provided me with unique opportunities that positively impacted my character. 4-H has shaped me into the person I am today, and I know that the lessons I have learned through 4-H will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

Abigail Lee of Covington County 4-H received the Ann Barr 4-H Scholarship ($2,000, Auburn University Administered). Abigail plans to attend Auburn University to major in Biomedical Sciences. Whether competing, being an ambassador, or even participating in the youth council, Abigail loved every aspect of 4-H. The first recipient of the Barbara D. Thorne 4-H Endowment ($1,500) was Willow Sayles from Etowah County 4-H. Willow said that 4-H had made her a better leader. Willow plans to attend the University of North Alabama for a degree in Pre-Professional Health Biology.

I KNOW THAT 4-H HAS PROVIDED ME WITH UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES THAT POSITIVELY IMPACTED MY CHARACTER. 4-H HAS SHAPED ME INTO THE PERSON I AM TODAY, AND I KNOW THAT THE LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED THROUGH 4-H WILL STAY WITH ME FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. Abigail Lee

I LEARNED THAT IN ORDER TO TRULY BE A LEADER IN MY SCHOOL, COMMUNITY AND WORLD, I MUST SERVE IT. 4-H HAS MADE ME A BETTER SPEAKER, A BETTER LEADER AND A BETTER SERVANT FOR MY CLUB, MY COMMUNITY, AND MY WORLD. Willow Sayles

The first recipient of the Barbara D. Thorne 4-H Endowment ($1,500) was Willow Sayles from Etowah County 4-H. Willow said that 4-H had made her a better leader. “I learned that in order to truly be a leader in my school, community and world, I must serve it,” Willow explained. “4-H really gave me the voice and platform I didn’t know that I needed. 4-H has made me a better speaker, a better leader, and a better servant for my club, my community, and my world.” Willow plans to attend the University of North Alabama for a degree in Pre-Professional Health Biology.

The Beth & Dr. Thomas Elliott 4-H Endowed Scholarship ($1,500) was awarded to Suzanne Feist, a member of Winston County 4-H. Suzanne will attend Auburn University to major in Aerospace Engineering. Suzanne said that 4-H was like her second family. “4-H has presented me with a myriad of opportunities

August/September 2022 27

The Beth & Dr. Thomas Elliott 4-H Endowed Scholarship ($1,500) was awarded to Suzanne Feist, a member of Winston County 4-H. Suzanne will attend Auburn University to major in Aerospace Engineering.

4-H HAS PRESENTED ME WITH A MYRIAD OF OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW AS A PERSON. I GOT TO LEARN FROM REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCES THAT MADE ME A WELL-ROUNDED INDIVIDUAL. Suzanne Feist

Colton Cook of Tallapoosa County 4-H received one of the 4-H Foundation Scholarships for $1,000. Colton plans to attend Jacksonville State University to major in Music Education. ”

4-H OFFERS ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE YOURSELF A BETTER PERSON. I WILL REFLECT ON MY TIME IN 4-H FONDLY, AND I WILL ALWAYS BE AN ADVOCATE FOR THIS WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION. Colton Cook

to grow as a person,” she stated. “I got to learn from real-life experiences that made me a well-rounded individual. With every step of the way, I had 4-H agents and volunteers, as well as peers, who would help me out when I needed it. 4-H changed my life by showing me what it is to be independent and to belong.”

Colton Cook of Tallapoosa County 4-H received one of the 4-H Foundation Scholarships for $1,000. Colton plans to attend Jacksonville State University to major in Music Education. “4-H has always been a place to belong,” Colton said. “4-H offers endless opportunities to make yourself a better person. For myself, I have taken as many of them as possible, and they have changed my life. I will reflect on my time in 4-H fondly, and I will always be an advocate for this wonderful organization.”

The Alabama 4-H Foundation awarded 34 other $1,000 scholarships to the following outstanding students:

Marie Downey, (Autauga); Courtney Roberts, (Calhoun); Hannah Yeager, (Chambers); Hunter Watson, (Cherokee); Regan Williams, (Clarke); Holly Johnson, (Clay); Emily Strickland, (Coffee); Blair Wyrosdick, (Coffee); Hattin Berryman, (Colbert); Anna-Kathryn Robinson, (Conecuh); Terry King, II, (Dallas); Lindy Southers, (DeKalb); Cami Cleveland, (Etowah); Sierra Bennett, (Etowah); Anais Shelley, (Henry); Kristen Walker, (Lauderdale); Josie Jones, (Lawrence); Katie Jett, (Lawrence); Neely Stewart, (Lee); Victoria Thompson, (Lee); Alexis Steele, (Limestone); Anna Rios, (Marengo); Sierra Ratcliff, (Marengo); Marcel van der Wel, (Marshall); Malik Cooper, (Monroe); Ruth Johnson, (Morgan); Briley Newman, (Pickens); Jheran Turner, (Pike); Natalie Ruha, (Shelby); Caymen Barron, (Talladega); John Wesley Garris, (Talladega); Blake Harris, (Tallapoosa); Hunter Garland, (Washington); and Leah Kate Owens, (Washington).

“Alabama is truly blessed to have the support of the Alabama 4-H Foundation and their commitment to recognizing and supporting outstanding Alabama 4-H’ers statewide,” Nancy Alexander added.

Even though 4-H Foundation scholarships reward 4-H members for their hard work, they also represent a wise investment in the future by helping today’s youth become tomorrow’s leaders.