Table of Contents Dani’s Dream
Rob Story
Volunteer of the Year
4-H Lifetime Volunteer of the Year
Hall of Fame
PHOTO: Pontotoc County 4-H member Dani McTague creates art supply kits to give to classes, shelters, and hospitals. The kits are used to create and foster art.
Dani’s Dream How one 4-H member uses art to serve local community STORY BY TRISHA GEDON
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hen Dani McTague started taking art lessons at the age of 5, she didn’t know how much her love of art would impact others. Wanting to share her passion, the Pontotoc County 4-H’er developed a service project called Dani’s Dream — Sharing the Love of Art. She puts together art bags to donate to children who may not otherwise have access to art supplies. The bags contain one big art project along with stickers, paints, colored pencils, card-making supplies, scissors and other items. No two bags are alike. Becky Walker, Pontotoc County 4-H Youth Development educator with Oklahoma State University Extension, said she saw a similar project online and immediately thought of Dani. “Dani loves arts and crafts, and this was a great fit for her,” Walker said. “My job as a 4-H educator is to guide them in their project work. When I know they’re passionate about something, it just goes from there.
Community service is a big component of what we do in 4-H, and this project has been a great one for Dani.” Once Walker introduced the concept to Dani, she was hooked. “I got really excited when Becky told me about this. I started gathering up my own art supplies to donate right away,” Dani said. “I made three bags and then I ran out of supplies.” With the help of her mom, Jayme, Dani created a Facebook page and developed an Amazon wish list to advertise her project to hopefully get some donations to create more art bags. To date, people from 32 states have donated supplies or made monetary donations. Dani posts pictures of the items she purchases and of the bags she donates on her Facebook page to keep those donors aware of how the project is progressing. She also makes a thank you card to send to each donor. Once she started receiving donations, it was time to get organized. Dani started the art bag project using
zipper storage bags but has since moved on to reusable cloth totes she and her grandmother make together. JOANN Fabrics and Crafts stores generously donates fabric for the bags. In addition, Dani and Jayme scour stores for discounted art supplies, especially following a holiday when themed items are 90% off the regular price. “I never thought my project would get this big,” Dani said. “When I first started, my goal was to donate 100 bags. In just over two years, I’ve been able to donate 500 bags, thanks to everyone who has donated supplies or sent money for us to buy more things.” She now has her sights set on donating 1,000 art bags. The bags are distributed to places like the Ronald McDonald House, Unity Point Counseling and Resource Center and OK Kids Korral, which is part of the Toby Keith Foundation. “She even had a teacher from Arkansas contact us and ask for bags for her entire class,” Jayme said. Tracy Whitacre, guest and volunteer coordinator with the Toby Keith Foundation, said the art bags Dani donated to children going through cancer treatments have been greatly appreciated. “I see the kids using the art supplies and enjoy watching them have a good time,” Whitacre said. “The bags are great for the children. The art supplies give them something to do and help take their mind off their treatment.” Dani has donated 25 bags to the foundation with plans to donate more during the holiday season. Walker said not only is Dani doing a great job with her project, but she’s also developing skills she’ll use for the rest of her life. “Dani made a display about her project, so she’s working on her public speaking skills. She leads an art project at all of our 4-H club meetings, which helps in building her leadership skills. She also works with our Cloverbuds and helps 4-H’ers with their county fair projects,” Walker said. “She’s pretty humble, but she’s a good role model by her actions. Her desire to help others says a lot about who she is.” Dani agrees that there’s much more than art involved in this successful service project. This has helped me become less shy because I have to talk to people about my project. I think I’m more confident than I was two years ago when this started,” Dani said. “It has also helped me become more creative, and I can’t wait to donate more bags and bring joy to
Audrey Allen, Enhancement Grant recipient and Logan County 4-H member, has taught over 115 children from multiple counties about mental health through her Feelings Can Be Messy workshops. In her workshop she connects tie-dying pillowcases to mental health. The messy tie-dying of pillowcases represents how emotions can be mixed up and confusing, but they are also unique, Allen said. “Many times, people think mental health is a topic we shouldn’t talk about,” Allen said. “I would like to change osted Ready, Set, FAIR! Project Day, June 27th to help that.” Allen used a pre-workshop quiz to determine students’ mental health knowledge. Participants said healthy living jects and increase youth participation, knowledge, and meant eating healthy and staying physically active, but never mentioned mental health, Allen said. Feelings can is betoMessy - Logan in County “My goal help children my area focus on mental and emotional health,” Allen said. “And to help them w years,” said Pontotoc County 4-H, Enhancement Grant recognize mental health is just as important as physical health” that this workshop addressed, was setting aside dedicated Allen teaches students it is normal to feel sad emotions, even if everyone around you seems happy. Coping mechanisms were discussed for to handle emotions as well. Keeping a journal, drawing, and talking about to compete in fair section 306 Sewn Fashion Accessories. your feelings are great ways to deal with emotions, Allen said. ntion using the sewing machine,” Pontotoc County 4-H “It’s good to talk about your feelings,” Allen said. “Talking about them can help you understand them better.” his was probably their favorite exhibit of the day.” office computers and printers, youth created personal totoc County 4-H said. short-term goals and sixth to eighth grade created a Pontotoc County 4-H said. ety, and the stages of development were used for the said. stamps in a leathercraft keychain project, Pontotoc County
d judged at the 2022 Pontotoc County Free Fair, Pontotoc Foundation For Tomorrow – Pittsburg County For Emilee Coxsey, Enhancement Grant recipient and Pittsburg County 4-H member, the Foundation for Tomorrow has been a continuous project to teach young people about science, technology, engineering, agriculture and mechanics (STEAM). The Foundation for Tomorrow was developed four years ago and is a series of ten hands-on STEAM workshops, seven education curriculums and nine educational videos, Coxsey said. Coxsey was inspired to teach STEAM workshops as a 4-H service project after attending a STEAM camp. She now uses 4-H, along with her platform as Miss McAlester, to teach students K-12 to utilize analytical, technical and creative skills, Coxsey said. “During the time I held the 2019 Miss McAlester’s Outstanding Teen crown, I realized not every child receives the same love, affection or guidance as I have had the privilege of receiving,” Coxsey said. “Therefore, I wanted to help build the foundation for tomorrow’s youth.” In total, Coxsey has taught 371 workshops, reaching about 184,000 people in-person and 286,000 people virtually. She has packaged about 60,000 pieces of STEAM project supplies to provide to students at no cost. “Over this past year, my goal was to teach 15 more workshops and reach 1,000 people,” Coxsey said. “I surpassed that by leaps and bounds.” She hopes to give children a better understanding of STEAM while also allowing them to find their passions, Coxsey said. This workshop allows students to discover other career opportunities they may have not been aware of, Coxsey said. “I generally close my workshops with the question to students of what they want to be when they grow up,” Coxsey said. “I love to hear their responses on what they want to become.”
RECORD SETTING 25TH ANNUAL CLOVER CLASSIC The silver anniversary Clover Classic was held November 7, at Oak Tree Country Club in Edmond. The tournament had a record gross revenue of over $52,000. With an additional record of 30 teams and more than 115 players. It also had a record number of 47 sponsors and supporters. Sponsorships offered were Elite $2,500, Diamond $1,500, Gold $1,250, Team $1,000, Hole $500, Flag $250, and Individuals $250. Unrestricted dollars raised from the Clover Classic enable Oklahoma 4-Hers to develop leadership, civic engagement, and life skills in an array of project areas. The first place team and traveling trophy was awarded to CF Industries. Gaye Pfeiffer and DaLacy Sleeper served their thirdconsecutive year as Clover Classic Golf Tournament Committee Co-Chairs. Pfeiffer and Sleeper, with the help and hard work of their Clover Classic committees, achieved record-setting levels of success the past three years.
TEAMS American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Co./ Gallagher Re Bill and Karen Anderson BancFirst - Guthrie BancFirst Trust and Investment Management Blue & Gold Sausage CF Industries CK Energy Cooperative DASNR - Agriculture DASNR - Natural Resources Dearingers Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma Houck Agency Insurance & Real Estate iCapital/Barclays - Structured CD’s iCapital/Barclays - Structured Notes Longacre Inc. Mainstay Investments Nationwide Environmental Services Oklahoma AgCredit Oklahoma Community Credit Union Oklahoma Farm Bureau Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women’s leadership Committee Oklahoma Farmers Union - Choctaw County Oklahoma Youth Expo Rep. John C. Pfieffer Schieffer & Schieffer Inc. Scott Marshall T&E The Bank N.A. The Public Finance Law Group, PLLC Thomas Mapel Will McConnell Construction DBA McConnell Plumbing Yukon Veterans Museum
INDIVIDUALS Scott Marshall Thomas Mapel
SPONSORS
American National Insurance Co. Cornerstone Planning Group, LLC Virginia Hellwege Dr. William Wynn
Ride for How one former 4-H’er makes OSU STORY BY TRISHA GEDON
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hen he was 7, Rob Bomhoff attended his first Oklahoma State football game. After seeing Bullet and the OSU Spirit Rider race across the field after the first touchdown, Bomhoff told his mom he wanted to do that one day. That day has arrived. Following a year on the Spirit Rider ground crew, Bomhoff was selected as the 2022-2023 Spirit Rider. He has raced out to the 30-yard line following each Cowboys touchdown at Boone Pickens Stadium this football season. It’s guaranteed that the smile on his face when he and Bullet run back into the tunnel in the west endzone is just as big as it was when he was sitting in the stands as a 7-year-old watching Bullet for the first time. Bomhoff isn’t the first member of his family to sit atop Bullet. His dad’s cousin, Warren Ahlden, was the ninth Spirit Rider. Bomhoff’s cousin, Dan Bomhoff, had his turn in the saddle as the 18th Spirit Rider. Rob Bomhoff is Spirit Rider No. 36. It wasn’t just the family legacy that led Bomhoff to be a Spirit Rider. He attributes the skills he learned as a member of the Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development program in Kingfisher County to helping him achieve the goal he set for himself as a youngster.
the Brand Spirit Rider dream come true
“In my role as the Spirit Rider, working with the shier kids and I talk to so many people. I did a lot getting them involved in different of speeches and participated in things,” Martin said. “He was one horse camps and clinics when I was of those kids you want to be a in 4-H,” said Bomhoff, an animal representative of the club and 4-H science/pre-vet junior and Alpha program. I always had a good feeling Gamma Rho fraternity member he was going to succeed in life.” from Okarche. “The leadership roles What does a typical football I had helped me manage a team and game day look like for Bomhoff ? my time. Everything I did in 4-H is The night before a game, he drives what I’m doing to the farm near now, but I’m Tulsa where “BEING IN 4-H WAS representing OSU Bullet lives. PROBABLY THE BEST instead of 4-H. He gets Bullet Being in 4-H was THING I EVER DID TO washed and probably the best cleaned up before PREPARE ME FOR BEING thing I ever did heading back THE SPIRIT RIDER” to prepare me for to Stillwater being the Spirit early Saturday - Rob Bomhoff, 36th Spirit Rider for morning. About Rider.” Oklahoma State University As an active four hours before 4-H’er, he served as the game, Bullet, a Kingfisher County 4-H president Bomhoff and the ground crew join and was selected as a Kingfisher the Block Party on the stadium’s County 4-H Ambassador. He also north side, signing autographs and was inducted into the Kingfisher posing for photographs. County 4-H Hall of Fame. When “It’s these types of activities he was a junior in high school, he where the ground crew really helps and his dad resurrected the local out,” Bomhoff said. “They’re there to 4-H Horse Club, which his dad keep the kids safe and Bullet safe.” continues working with today. It’s then off to the Laine Martin was Bomhoff’s ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center OSU Extension 4-H educator from for more pictures, and children the time he was in seventh grade get the chance to pet Bullet. Later, until he graduated from high school. Bomhoff and Bullet warm up on “Rob was a great leader and role the lawn by Old Central then make model for the Kingfisher County their way to Boone Pickens Stadium 4-H program. He was great in where they get into position for the
band run before kickoff. He said it’s hard to put into words the feeling he gets when he and Bullet gallop onto the field in front of 60,000 fans. “That first time was like nothing I’d ever felt. There was so much adrenaline, and it was the biggest rush,” he said. “I’m more used to it now and I really don’t even hear the crowd — it’s more like white noise. But there are times when I’m making the ride and the student section will start chanting R-O-B instead of O-S-U.” In addition to football games, Bomhoff makes other appearances with Bullet throughout the year. He enjoys the opportunity to share his story about being the Spirit Rider and talking to the kids. “It’s a lot of fun being there for the kids, both at games and other appearances,” he said. “Seeing Bullet up close makes their entire game. I love seeing their faces light up and encouraging them to dream big and make it happen.”
PHOTO: Jayme McTague named 2022 State 4-H Volunteer of the Year. Pictured with Missy Quintero (Left), Oklahoma 4-H Volunteer Board president. (Photo by Todd Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Services)
Volunteer of the Year How one Oklahoma 4-H Volunteer encourages members to succeed STORY BY TRISHA GEDON
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hen Jayme McTague’s family moved to Ada, she knew she wanted her kids involved in the Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development program. After a trip to the Pontotoc County Fair and a visit to the local Oklahoma State University
Extension office, she learned Ada didn’t have an active club at that time. Through hard work and determination, McTague got an active program going in the Ada community. That dedication over the last seven years to Oklahoma
4-H was recognized recently when McTague was named the 2022 State 4-H Volunteer of the Year at the 4-H Parent/Volunteer Conference at OSU in Stillwater. This award is presented to volunteer leaders with less than 10 years of service. She was also recognized as the
Southeast District Volunteer of the Year and the Pontotoc County Volunteer of the Year. “I’m a 4-H alumna, and my parents were my leaders. I had such a positive experience as a 4-H’er that I knew it was something I wanted for my own kids,” McTague said. “It’s the best organization in the country. I had so many amazing opportunities due to my involvement — winning trips to Denver and Washington, D.C., and attending State 4-H Roundup — I wanted to give my kids and other kids those same opportunities.” With support from her family, she helped build a successful program in Ada. Her parents encouraged her along the way, and McTague is incorporating into the program some of the things they did as leaders years ago. McTague said the journey to establish a club wasn’t always smooth sailing, and part of the effort involved teaching people about 4-H and OSU Extension. “When we first started seven years ago, there were about four kids who showed up. But we just kept going, and now, we’ve grown to about 30 club members,” she said. “It’s fun to see these children who didn’t really even know what 4-H was grow and build confidence in themselves.” Pontotoc County 4-H’er Lexi Jacobs said McTague is known for cheering on club members. “She comes to watch us show our pigs. Jayme also helps us learn life skills,” Jacobs said. “We get to work in the concession stand during livestock shows, and during our volunteer hours, we learn things like the proper way to serve customers, the correct way to count
money back and how to positively represent Ada 4-H by making eye contact and being polite.”
“I LOVE SEEING THE MEMBERS COME IN, GROW IN THE EXPERIENCE AND DISCOVER THEIR OWN SPECIAL TALENTS. WE’RE HERE TO HELP THEM GROW, AND I’M GLAD I GET TO BE PART OF THAT.” - Jayme McTague, Oklahoma 4-H
Volunteer of the Year
Becky Walker, OSU Extension 4-H educator in Pontotoc County, said McTague is a go-getter. “She gets right in there and works alongside people. She’s such a motivator to people,” Walker said. “She can make you believe you can do anything and encourages people by being right alongside them. One thing I really love about Jayme is that she not only thoroughly supports her own kids 4-H work, but she is supportive and encouraging, and loves to be part of other 4-H members’ projects and activities.” Walker said serving the community has always been a priority for McTague and her 4-H members. Some of their activities include making motivational signs to hang in the Ada Washington Grade Center, filling stockings for Mama T’s Homeless Shelter, collecting blankets and pet toys for PAWS, donating clothing to help
stock Ada Public Schools’ clothes closets and making bedtime bags for the Ada Youth Shelter. Not only does McTague serve as the club leader, she has also been a die-hard camp chaperone, according to Walker. She encourages campers to try new things and runs to the store to pick up items that didn’t get packed. “I don’t think she knows how appreciative I am of her excitement to help me with workshops and to just be at camp to play the mom role to so many,” Walker said. “She gets right in there and participates along with the kids. I’m excited to walk this journey with Jayme.” And it’s easy to see McTague’s enthusiasm for her role. “Being a 4-H volunteer brings me a lot of joy,” she said. “I love seeing the members come in, grow in the experience and discover their own special talents. We’re here to help them grow, and I’m glad I get to be part of that.”
PHOTO: Rayanne Carpenter, right, named 2022 State 4-H Lifetime Volunteer of the Year. Pictured with Missy Quintero, president of the Oklahoma 4-H Volunteer Board. (Photo by Todd Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Services)
Lifetime Volunteer of the Year How one Oklahoma 4-H Volunteer invests in youth development program STORY BY TRISHA GEDON
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t wasn’t until her children showed an interest in 4-H that Rayanne Carpenter began to learn more about the youth development organization – and she’s been learning ever since. After her middle child was
active in the organization for about three years, Carpenter decided she needed to fully invest herself and became a volunteer leader. Now, nearly a dozen years later, Carpenter continues to volunteer with the Blanchard 4-H Club in
McClain County where she leads the Cloverbuds. Her dedication to the organization was recognized recently when she was named the 2022 State 4-H Lifetime Volunteer of the Year at the 4-H Parent/
Volunteer Conference at Oklahoma County. She also oversees the State University in Stillwater. This concession stand at the McClain award is presented to volunteer County Spring Livestock Show. leaders with 10 or more years of Carpenter, a teacher and service. She was also recognized school librarian for Blanchard as the Southeast District Lifetime Public Schools, said she uses 4-H Volunteer of the Year and the curriculum not only in her 4-H club McClain County Lifetime Volunteer but also with her students. She said of the Year. the research-based information “When my daughter joined 4-H, comes from universities and all I didn’t really know much about the lessons are enthusiastic and Extension or the organization, but well done. after seeing how she was learning “No matter what, using 4-H and growing, I decided I needed curriculum to teach children is a to be involved,” Carpenter said. “I good thing,” she said. became a certified volunteer, then Hunter Haxton, former McClain later became a volunteer leader.” County 4-H’er, said Carpenter is an Even though her own children outstanding professional, mentor have aged out of the program, and teacher. Carpenter said she continues to “For several years, she has been volunteer her time and talents among the most visible proponents because she knows the values 4-H of education and fundraising for teaches its members. McClain County 4-H. She’s been “4-H’ers learn so much more out in front teaching members beyond their specific projects. They and volunteers alike,” Haxton said. build on those skills they’re going to use throughout their lives, such as getting up, setting goals, dressing “4-H’ERS LEARN SO appropriately for the occasion or MUCH MORE BEYOND sewing on a button,” she said. “It’s THEIR SPECIFIC just fun to see them grow up, go to college and become successful, PROJECTS. THEY BUILD solid citizens.” ON THOSE SKILLS Emily Taylor, 4-H educator in THEY’RE GOING TO the McClain County OSU Extension office, said Carpenter is always USE THROUGHOUT open to new ideas and willing to THEIR LIVES, SUCH AS help wherever needed to ensure the GETTING UP, SETTING success of the program. “Rayanne is someone members GOALS, DRESSING and other volunteers look up to as APPROPRIATELY FOR a 4-H volunteer. She is a person THE OCCASION OR others go to for ideas and feedback for their own clubs,” Taylor said. SEWING ON “She brings such a positive attitude A BUTTON.” to everything she does.” Carpenter is the president of - Rayanne Carpenter, Oklahoma 4-H the volunteer council in McClain Lifetime Volunteer of the Year
“Because of her love for teaching, she brings so much to the 4-H program and makes learning fun for all, whether we’re learning a new STEM project or preparing for an upcoming competition.” Carpenter said she would encourage other parents with children new to 4-H to consider becoming a volunteer leader. “It’s amazing to watch your club members grow up and go do great things in life, and that can be attributed to 4-H,” she said. “I’m glad I get to be a part of that.”
HALL OF FAME Zach Wagner
How one Oklahoma 4-H member uses science to serve his community STORY BY TRISHA GEDON
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hen Zach Wagner was younger, he heard the quote, “The only thing limiting yourself is yourself.” It didn’t mean much to him until he started down his 4-H path. What a journey that has been, culminating in receiving the highest award a club member can achieve on the state level. The Cotton County 4-H’er was inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame at the Honors Night Assembly during the 101st State 4-H Roundup at Oklahoma State University. He received a $5,000 scholarship sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma. In addition, he received the Ira Hollar Advanced Leadership Scholarship. This $1,200 scholarship is sponsored by the Ira Hollar Endowment. He also received the $1,200 Rule of Law Graduating Senior Scholarship sponsored by the Rule of Law Endowment. A self-described shy, keeps-tohimself kind of kid, Wagner said his life began to change when he joined 4-H. “I attended meetings and entered
a few items into the county fair, but I wasn’t really involved in any 4-H competitions or fun activities,” he said. “When my best friend invited me to go to summer camp with him, that’s when things really changed. This opened my eyes to 4-H and made me realize that I had only opened one door to an entire world of new activities.” He said he kept trying new things, all while keeping that quote in the back of his mind. While attending the Youth in Action Conference, he discovered he had a certain skill he could use — leadership. “I learned I could use the abilities I was blessed with to teach people, to lead them, to care for them,” he said. “I became more and more involved and kept stretching my horizons and found a drive to keep doing activities. 4-H changed my life.” As a high school freshman, Wagner said he needed to put together a state record book. Relying on his memory, he sat down to recall each of his projects. It was during this process he realized he didn’t have a lot of leadership activities. He soon became an
official Cotton County Teen Leader and he continued to polish his leadership skills. The Teen Leaders did a variety of activities, including making valentines for veterans. The group crafted dog toys from old t-shirts that were donated to a local animal shelter. They also worked on the gardens at the school and courthouse as part of a beautification project. Wagner has evolved from teaching a workshop at camp to developing his own woodworking day camp. “It’s really exciting to see what starts out as just plain boards become cornhole games, chairs, shelves and dinner trays,” he said. Throughout these activities, Wagner honed his leadership skills and others began taking notice. He was asked to start a new club in Cotton County, and with help from his family, he established a 4-H LEGO robotics club. As a junior 4-H robotics team coach, he mentors younger 4-H’ers on everything from building their robots to measuring distance and calculating that into their program. He is also a member of the senior 4-H LEGO robotics team,
which placed second in their firstever competition. During COVID, Wagner knew he still wanted to work on his leadership skills and continue to help club members learn about STEM, so he developed videos on a variety of topics, including candle making, borax crystals, water filtration systems, elephant toothpaste and eight ways to say no. His candle making video was picked up by the National 4-H Stay at Home Program. Wagner has been a great asset to his local 4-H club by being a good role model, said Kimbreley Davis, Cotton County OSU Extension 4-H educator. “Zach works really well with the younger kids and has a lot of fun with them. He did a great job mentoring third graders and helping them learn how to build and program LEGO robotics for the STEM club he started and preparing them for competition,” Davis said. “His willingness to help and make our community a better place to live is probably one of the many reasons Zach received this honor. I’m so proud of him and his 4-H career.” Wagner says the skills he’s learned in 4-H will stay with him throughout his life. “I began as any normal 4-H’er would when I first began my journey,” he said. “Today, I’m a leader because I learned the only thing holding me back was myself. 4-H has changed my life for the better, and I can’t wait for what this next year will bring.” A 2022 graduate of the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, Wagner plans to attend college at the University of Oklahoma and major in biology with an emphasis on medial research. He is the son of Kelsey and Leticia Wagner.
PHOTO: Zach Wagner, Cotton County 4-H’er, was inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame during the Honors Night Assembly at State 4-H Roundup. (Photo by Todd Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Services)
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PHOTO: Pittsburg County 4-H’er Reed Marcum was inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame during the Honors Night Assembly at State 4-H Roundup. (Photo by Todd Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Services)
ittsburg County 4-H’er Reed Marcum said being inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame is putting the stamp on a “really good 4-H career.” The best part — as an upcoming senior at McAlester High School, he has another year in the youth development program to accomplish even more. Marcum was recognized as an inductee into the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame, the state’s highest 4-H award, at the Honors Night Assembly during the 101st State 4-H Roundup at Oklahoma State University. He received a $5,000 scholarship sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma. “This is such a huge honor. I may be the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame winner who hasn’t won County Hall of Fame first,” Marcum said with a laugh. “I’ve had a great 4-H career so far, and I still have time to do more.” Doing more is a lofty goal, considering what he has already achieved. His 4-H career with the FrinkChambers 4-H Club began on the slower side. When he enrolled in 4-H, he was not very active, but that didn’t last long. The Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development program is known for teaching youth to give back to their communities, and Marcum has done that many times over. His service projects started small with paper sacks filled with soap, ramen noodles, granola bars, shampoo, deodorant and candy that he distributed at a homeless shelter in McAlester. “Since that time, I’ve created numerous 4-H service projects. I’ve become known in Pittsburg County as the 4-H service project video guy.
HALL OF FAME Reed Marcum
How one Oklahoma 4-H member serves his community STORY BY TRISHA GEDON
I post videos about my projects on social media to help promote them and keep everyone updated,” he said. “My biggest thing I do in 4-H is service. I just enjoy helping others.” One of his most popular initiatives is the annual J. Michael Miller Book Bag Giveaway. Six years ago, he started with string bags filled with composition books, pencils, colored pencils, erasers and crayons. Thanks to generous donations from his community, he gave away 365 bags that year. The community service project has since grown to provide full-sized backpacks filled with the same supplies plus a few extra school items. To date, Marcum has given away 20,758 backpacks to students all across Oklahoma as well as some students in Arkansas, plus the 7,000 he’s set to give away this school year. “My goal for next year will be even more backpacks,” he said. Another project he started was a silent auction fundraiser for the Hudson Strong Memorial Foundation. After learning that less than 4% of cancer funding goes to pediatric cancer research, he raised over $114,000 for it. The funds raised are allocated to the foundation, which then provides
scholarships for math and science to research a cure for pediatric cancer. Funds also help with families’ medical expenses. In McAlester, the name Reed Marcum is synonymous with Christmas. When he learned some of his classmates didn’t get presents at Christmas, he started the Toy Give Away. It has grown exponentially over the last several years, starting with just over 1,200 toys given away the first year to 17,236 this past holiday season. In all, Marcum has organized the distribution of 43,411 holiday gifts for children. What has helped Marcum get to this level of success with his service projects? The 4-H program. “My 4-H leader, Donna Curry, and my county 4-H educator, Greg Owen, helped teach me in a way that built my confidence in the work I was doing, and that if I believed in the projects, they would be successful,” he said. “Mrs. Curry passed away a few weeks ago, but I was able to tell her that I’d won hall of fame. She was like a second mom to me in 4-H.” Greg Owen, 4-H Youth Development Extension educator in Pittsburg County, said Marcum has the biggest heart of anyone he’s ever met.
“Reed is non-stop energy. He is funny, focused and driven beyond compare. He’s always looking for new ways to help people,” Owen said. “I told Donna Curry, his 4-H leader, I wanted to get Reed involved in the Pittsburg County Ambassador program. And from there, we just kept pushing him, in a good way.” Owen said Marcum initially set a goal to get a record book interview. He did but didn’t win. The next year, he won a record book award. In 2021, he set his sights on earning a hall of fame interview. Meeting his goal last year helped him win a spot in the 2022 Hall of Fame. “We have provided some guidance for him over the years, but the drive and determination people see is all him,” Owen said. Marcum is extremely coachable, Owen said, and when given advice on how to improve something, he takes it to heart. “Reed works really hard in everything he does, not just in his service projects. He takes to coaching quickly and accomplishes what he needs to do,” Owen said. “He’s a goal setter. He has accomplished everything we thought he would.”
Steeped in Tradition
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tate 4-H Roundup has long been steeped in tradition for the delegates who make their way to Oklahoma State University for the three-day event. For more than a century, club members have been attending workshops, campaigning for state office and recognizing the achievements of their peers. While tradition is important, the 101st State 4-H Roundup planning committee has a few new tricks up their sleeves for 4-H’ers who will be on the OSU campus July 27-29. This year’s theme is 4-H — A Universe of Endless Possibilities. “We’re glad we’re back to a 100% on-campus event this year. While we adapted and had a virtual event in 2020 and a hybrid event in 2021, there’s nothing better than being back to State 4-H Roundup in person on the OSU campus,” said Steve Beck, state 4-H program leader. “We’re thankful we had the capability to continue with Roundup the last couple of years, but there’s nothing like experiencing this event in person. The energy and enthusiasm are contagious and just add to the great experience. The new additions to this year’s lineup of events will be a lot of fun for everyone.” New on this year’s Roundup schedule will be a traffic safety program for teens. The goal of Oklahoma Challenge is to increase teen traffic safety in Oklahoma, said Nele Rogers, Oklahoma Challenge associate director. Oklahoma
Challenge is funded by the Oklahoma State Highway Office. “Car crashes are the number one cause of death for people ages 16 to 24,” Rogers said. “There are several reasons for this, including novice drivers, lower rates of seatbelt use, more likely to speed and distracted driving. About 45% of teen fatalities in traffic accidents aren’t wearing seatbelts.” Part of this educational opportunity will be Think Fast Interactive, a national, highenergy game show-type activity. Rogers said there will be a host, the contestants will have clickers and they’ll compete to earn points for prizes all while learning about safe driving. Oklahoma Challenge isn’t just for teens who are driving; it also includes working with passengers. “We work with pre-drivers in Oklahoma Challenge and help them become assertive passengers. They’re the co-pilot and are in charge of the music, the GPS and other things that can cause a distraction for the driver. Everyone attending 4-H Roundup can benefit from Oklahoma Challenge. Our goal is to empower youth to become more safe and responsible drivers. We’re happy to be able to offer this at 4-H Roundup.” Former Bryan County 4-H’er Bailey Rae will be on hand to teach a Master Class workshop for participants in this year’s 4-H Has Talent vocal contest. Finishing in the top nine in season 19 of the television program The Voice,
The 2022 State 4-H Roundup will offer endless possibilities for delegates from across the state STORY BY TRISHA GEDON
Bailey Rae will share tips about performing and how to put your best foot forward on stage. Bailey Rae, who was a 2017 state 4-H record book winner in the health and fitness project and a 2018 Key Club inductee, was named the 2021 winner of the Young Artist of the Year from the Texas Country Music awards. “We’re very grateful for Bailey Rae and the example she is showing Oklahoma 4-H members that they can achieve their dreams while still living in Oklahoma,” said Cathleen Taylor, state leadership and civic engagement specialist with the state 4-H office. “She will also perform a short concert while at 4-H Roundup.” Duds to Dazzle is a new contest this year that will give 4-H’ers an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills learned in the clothing and textiles project. “This contest gives participants an opportunity to upcycle a textile that no longer meets its original purpose,” said Cathy Allen, 4-H curriculum coordinator at the state 4-H office. “Someone could, for example, take an old jean jacket and upcycle it into a vest. It’s a great way for club members to use their creativity and make something unused into useable and stylish products.”
Living History
H
istory and civics books came alive for a group of Oklahoma and Kansas 4-H’ers who took part recently in the Citizenship Washington Focus trip. Thirty-three club members and four adult sponsors made the bus trip to Washington, D.C., June 16-25 where they participated in educational workshops, wrote mock legislation and toured the nation’s capital. Civic engagement is part of the framework for the Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development program, and opportunities like this help reinforce those learning situations, said Cathleen Taylor, state leadership and civic engagement specialist with the state 4-H office at Oklahoma State University. “The purpose of this trip is to learn about how our government works and how 4-H’ers can impact their communities through civic engagement,” Taylor said. “Using the medium of Washington, D.C., our youth are right in the middle of where our government is happening.” The group stopped at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where they received a guided tour of the battle sites. They also had an opportunity to visit Philadelphia
where they saw the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. “It was a lot of fun for our delegates to see where our country started and the progression of the United States,” Taylor said. Once the group arrived in Washington, D.C., they got down to business by attending a variety of educational workshops. They also learned how to write bills and other legislation. Taylor said one of the most educational opportunities was when the delegation divided into three groups and developed state action plans to implement when they returned home. “The youth were charged with seeing a problem within their community or state and developing a solution or a way to combat the issue,” she said. “Our group focused on how to increase and retain 4-H members, encouraging citizens to support local businesses and food insecurity. Once they developed their plans, they presented them to another state. Not only did they have to work together and strategize about the issues, but this exercise also gave them an opportunity to work on their public speaking skills.” Throughout their time in Washington, D.C., participants
visited the Franklin D. Roosevelt and Martin Luther King memorials, the World War I and World War II memorials, Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam and Korean War memorials, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and the Pentagon and Air Force memorials. They also went to the top of the Washington Monument for a bird’s-eye view of the city. “While we were on one of our tours, we saw a presidential flyover of Marine 1. That was pretty exciting for the group,” Taylor said. Other activities included attending Spongebob the Musical at Toby’s Dinner Theater; a visit to Capitol Hill and meeting with former Oklahoma 4-H’er Ricky Schroeder, who addressed the group about how 4-H helped him get his current job in the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee; a presentation of Twilight Tattoo, a walk-through, live-action performance about the history of the U.S. military; and a visit to the Smithsonian Museum. “Oklahoma and Kansas have been participating in CWF for many years, and it truly is one of the premier opportunities available to club members,” Taylor said.
C
oming from a modest lifestyle, raised on a farm with chickens, pigs and cattle, Jay Hannah wondered what door of opportunity 4-H would open for him. “I thought for a long time that if you knew how to sew, you could be a member of 4-H” Hannah said. “My sister had been active in 4-H, 7 years older, so I saw her making aprons and sewing dresses. “But I have always been kind of a Forest Gump kind of a character,” he said. “Somebody who never really set out to do things but was always surrounded by the right people.” Hannah’s sixth grade teacher was one of those people. She saw an ability in him and urged him to try public speaking. “I think you have the ability to communicate what’s in your head, and what’s in your heart,” his teacher said, “and if you show them with your hands, it’ll be healthy for all concerned.” He later learned that 4-H had each one of those H’s on each of its petals, and prepared his first speech on the four H’s of 4-H. At 11 years old, in a county named after his fifth great grandfather, Jay Hannah gave his first public speech at the Adair County 4-H rally on April 6, 1967. Speaking in front of an
assembled audience of almost 50 people, Hannah won a blue ribbon and learned a valuable lesson, both of which he has to this day. “[4-H] is about helping to share knowledge, it’s helping to share experiences, and later in life I discovered it’s all about sharing opportunities with others who may
“THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING A PART OF OKLAHOMA 4-H IS THE DISCOVERY OF ONE’S ABILITY TO OBTAIN ACHIEVEMENT.” not have access to it.” Today, Hannah serves as Head of Financial Services for BancFirst, Oklahoma, the largest statechartered bank with over $14 billion in assets, supervising a wide range of profit centers and support units. Hannah is a graduate of Northeastern State University, and holds a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University, and Doctor of Philosophy in Business (honorary) degree from Oklahoma City University. Hannah is an active citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and currently serves as Convener for the Central Oklahoma Cherokee Alliance. He
has also served as the Cherokee Nation’s secretary/treasurer, chairman of the 1999 Constitution Convention, and board chairman of the Cherokee Nation Businesses. These achievements, plus many more were possible because of Hannah’s time in Oklahoma 4-H. “The importance of being a part of Oklahoma 4-H is the discovery of one’s ability to obtain achievement,” Hannah said. “It’s about personal achievement, the confidence that says yes, I can assemble thoughts, I can assemble a persuasive argument.” It gives people the ability to effectively communicate, to help people live a healthier, happier, better life, Hannah said. Hannah encourages youth to be active in 4-H and find what makes them passionate. When you are passionate about what you do you gain the greatest rewards, Hannah said. “The mission of 4-H is about affording opportunity,” Hannah said. “The opportunity to learn, to engage, to experience, to compete, to achieve, to see that you can build confidence and be a contributor in society, that’s why it’s important.”
INNOVATE
T
he Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma (MCFOK) contributed $25,000 to the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation to sponsor the Oklahoma 4-H Innovate Youth Leadership Summit. Hosted by the Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development program, the 4-H summit took place April 8-10 in Sulphur and was designed to teach 4-H youth skillsets in agricultural science, computer science, STEM and education, according to the Oklahoma 4-H Innovate Youth Leadership Summit website. The event included a track system from which youth chose environmental sciences/wildlife, NASA’s Artemis Mission, photography, Ag in the Classroom or Chemistry in the Kitchen as their focus for the program. Adult partners and Oklahoma State University Extension educators assisted with ensuring student success. Youth were tasked with the challenge of teaching other 4-H youth what they learned at the summit. The $25,000 donation was used to offset expenses of conducting the summit. MCFOK is a regular benefactor of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation and Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development. “Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma investments in 4-H science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and state 4-H Roundup are making an indelible difference in the lives of
our 4-H youth,” said Milford H. Jenkins, Oklahoma 4-H Foundation executive director. “Oklahoma 4-H will always owe MCFOK a huge debt of gratitude for their financial support.” In the past three years, over 100 Innovators (4-H teen leaders) have been trained on STEM curriculum through the youth leadership summit. These innovators have taught approximately 200 workshops, reaching over 6,000 youth across the state. “The Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma has a long history of supporting the needs of Oklahomans from all walks of life,” said John Logan, MCFOK executive director. “We are so happy to provide this grant in support of the 4-H mission, which serves our Oklahoma 4-H youth and their families.” Through philanthropic contributions to the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, the MCFOK has invested more than $1 million in STEM and state 4-H Roundup for the benefit of 4-H youth in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma 4-H Foundation supports the mission of 4-H by allocating private fund development to support programs, scholarships, awards and activities. More information about the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation is available online. 4-H is the largest youth organization in the world. Contact the local OSU Extension county office for more information or to
enroll.
I
t seemed only fitting, for the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma to be recognized as the 2022 4-H Partner Award, with their approximate $1 million invested in the lives of Oklahoma 4-H youth. “We support Oklahoma 4-H because it’s available in every county in the state and helps students to learn important life skills,” said John Logan, Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma executive director. “It is a rich opportunity for them to participate in events beyond their community.” The Masonic Charity
Foundation of Oklahoma is the second largest contributor to Oklahoma 4-H. In 2020, their $100,000 charitable gift established the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma Endowment for support of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. One year later, the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma made a $125,000 charitable gift in March 2021, followed by an $800,000 investment in 4-H youth that November. A short three months later, they contributed $25,000 to sponsor
the 2022 4-H Innovate Leadership Summit. Logan, a product of the 4-H program himself, is a strong advocate of its value to youth, and enjoys 4-H bringing students together from all over the state. “We believe it’s important to invest in the lives of our children to provide a bright future for Oklahoma,” Logan said. “By supporting organizations such as 4-H, we can help ensure every child has such an opportunity. It allows them to more than attend classes in school, but the prospect to grow as an intellectual.”
Y
ou join 4-H as a young, curious nine-year-old who desires nothing more than to succeed in something of their very own. You close your eyes and imagine, one day, in the far away future, you could work hard enough to not only win, but earn, your very own 4-H corduroy jacket that truly defines all of the blood, sweat, and tears you have put into the project you have taken on in your first year of 4-H. As you daydream about this jacket, you can feel the thick, but soft, ribbed fabric in your hands. You can see the beautiful clover green of the jacket just out of reach, and you imagine your name in white stitching across the chest. Finally, it’s the end of the year banquet. The moment you have been working towards is here. All the time and hard work you have put into your project is about to pay off. Your name gets called and you won your very own corduroy jacket to begin your career in 4-H. This joyous moment is what countless 4-H members have felt since _____ (year), when Kent and Barbara Houck began donating two 4-H corduroy jackets a year to go towards outstanding first year 4-H
members in Payne County. Barbara Houck’s love for 4-H began in Garvin County. She was involved in everything she possibly could in her nine year membership. “The first [project] we had were Hampshire pigs,” Barbara Houck said. “And so, we showed the Hampshire pigs. And then later, daddy sold the pigs and we got into registered Angus and showed black Angus.” As she began to reminisce on her times in the show ring, tears gleamed in her eyes, and she remembered her days in 4-H as if they happened yesterday. Throughout her years in 4-H, Barbara Houck won many awards. Some of her awards were top ten dress revue at 4-H roundup, 4-H Congress in Kansas City, Garvin County Hall of Fame winner and State 4-H Hall of Fame winner. In her adult life, she has been inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Alumni Hall of Fame. When Kent Houck married into the 1960 Farm Bureau Farm Family of the year, there was no doubt he needed to buckle his seat belt, for he was in for an agriculture and 4-H filled ride like he had never
experienced before. “Barbara was in 4-H all her life,” he said. “I worked my way through high school. So, I was in athletics. I played baseball and basketball. 4-H in Stillwater was a big deal but not for my family. “And so, she and her five sisters raised hogs, cattle, and they were rodeo queens,” he said. “Their family was all involved in 4-H and obviously I, with them, when we got married.” The couple has been awarded the Oklahoma 4-H partner award, as well as being recognized with a State Award at 4-H Round-up for outstanding service in 4-H. The Houck’s stay involved in 4-H Round-up. They have emceed at the 4-H Round-up awards assembly, judged contests and often assist with the Key Club. Kent Houck plays in the Clover Classic Golf Tournament each year, a tournament the 4-H Foundation holds to raise money for 4-H youth. Every year they donate towards scholarship programs. They also donate two 4-H jackets to Payne County 4-H. Dea Rash became a Payne County 4-H educator in 1991. In ____, she needed a sponsor for the
annual outstanding first year 4-H member corduroy jackets. She reached out to the Houck’s, and without hesitation they said yes. “They are very faithful and committed to the kids,” Rash said. “They will sit with the kids at our banquet and learn and find out about their projects.” Along with giving back to 4-H, Kent and Barbara Houck give back to the Stillwater community in many ways. Together, they own Houck Agency LLC, specializing in insurance and real estate. The business began with Kent Houck’s dad. “So, we’ve actually been on this street corner right here since 1951, one of the oldest insurance agencies [in the area],” Kent Houck said. “Dad started across the street, and Barb and I moved over here.” Being long time members of the community has allowed them to plant their roots and grow into every part of the community. They have been inducted into the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame and awarded Stillwater’s Outstanding Small Business. They are involved in many organization such as the Alumni
Association, the President’s Club, the Lions Club, and more. Because of their successes they have been able to sponsor 4-H, Little League teams and Boy Scouts. These organizations challenge individuals to another level, Kent Houck said. “With all of these you learn character and life skills,” Kent Houck said. “And that’s one of the reasons we sponsor 4-H and Boy Scouts and athletics, because those three organizations, if done right, you learn integrity. You just learn how to be a person.” Kent and Barbara Houck are a staple in the state of Oklahoma, who have left a lasting impact on all who have had the privilege to know them, and their name will live on for generations to come.
Kent Houck is a lover of all thing’s athletics, whether it be Oklahoma State athletics, Little League, or high school sports, where his love began. Houck played baseball and basketball at Stillwater High School. He continued his baseball career at Oklahoma Christian University. After his time at OCU, Houck transferred to Oklahoma State University, where he intended to continue playing baseball. SOMEATHING HERE ABOUT THAT NOT WORKING. But Houck didn’t want to give up on sports yet, he wanted to find a way to stay involved in athletics without being on the field. So, he looked into being an umpire, which ultimately led to him being a football referee. Houck has more than 30 years of officiating under his belts, 20 of those years with the Big 8 Conference. He officiated 17 bowl games, two of which were national champion games. He was the youngest individual to officiate a national championship game. “Quote here from either Barbara or Kent on their experience at the bowl games over the years, maybe slip an insert about her different charms/watches from each game.” More information here
How Can Oklahoma 4-H Change a Community? Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best, “Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” Over the past two years, our world transformed due to the pandemic and as individuals we have adapted to fit into this hectic world. I remember a time when Oklahomans were faced with insane hardships and all hope seemed lost. Oklahoma is still divided across many fronts but what Oklahoma 4-H has accomplished is bringing together all students across Oklahoma with the sole purpose to change our great State one community at a time. Over time, we changed how people feel about our state from a negative to a positive reaction. Oklahoma 4-H is doing things right in terms of community and public engagement. I, myself, have been apart of changing our great state, and I am proud to say I am an Oklahoma and I belong to Oklahoma 4-H. My first service project was the Friendship Bench project to help prevent and stop bullying across my county. This bench gave students a place to go when they are lonely and another student would come and provide the student someone to talk to, play with, or just someone to listen to them. I
raised the money through private donations and grant writing to fund two benches. Once the benches were placed in Frink Chambers Elementary School, other schools in my county started to follow suit. To date, my Friendship Bench Project has reached 27 schools across my county. I witnessed several students’ lives change from sitting on a simple bench to walking away with a true friend. I started my second community service project after I realized there was a disparity in the amount of STEAM education across my county. I call my Oklahoma 4-H community service project, “Foundation for Tomorrow.” Through this project, I travel around the county and teach STEAM Workshops. My project provides an opportunity for students to experience STEAM projects and potential careers they otherwise would not be exposed to when they tap into their analytical, technical, and creative mindsets to build the project. In addition, these projects allow me to meet the students and engage with them on a personal level. I use this project to change the minds of people in my community by advocating for
equal educational opportunities. I employ this project to improve my community one classroom at a time, so when I leave, I left something better than I found it. My first STEAM Workshop was a demonstration workshop on How to Build An Artbot to approximately 30 students in May 2018. In October 2018, my STEAM project Building An Artbot was selected to be included in the National 4-H Inspire Kids To Do Activity Guide. To accompany the Guide and to make it easier on 4-H Leaders, I made an instructional video on building the Artbot and the link was included in the Activity Guide. To date, the Activity Guide and my instructional video has reached approximately 50,000 people through social media. Prior to the pandemic, I combined my 4-H public speaking experience and knowledge of STEAM to teach STEAM Workshops to grades Pre-K through 12th at schools, Boy Scout meetings, churches and other 4-H clubs in order to reach as many people as possible. When the pandemic set in and I became a State 4-H Innovator, I discovered a new way to teach my workshops virtually. I slowly
began to create virtual videos and held zoom classes in order to teach students about STEAM. So far, I taught virtual 25 workshops to still help my community. Because of Oklahoma 4-H, I found the confidence in myself to compete for 2019 Miss McAlester’s Outstanding Teen and I won. During the time I held this crown, I realized not every child receives the same love and affection or guidance as I have had the privilege of receiving. I decided to broaden my STEAM Workshops and they grew from 3 to 11 hands-on projects. Currently, I am Miss McAlester 2022 and I took my Foundation for Tomorrow to the next level by providing equal STEAM educational opportunities to all students. Every student deserves the chance to witness STEAM like I did; therefore, I use Culturally Responsive Teaching practices to ensure each student feels valued in the classroom. Also, I created a STEAM Curriculum Guide consisting of all my projects. This guide includes an activity overview, supplies needed to build the project, time to compete the project, instructions on how to build the project, fun facts about STEAM, and the educational benefits associated with each project. To date, I have raised over $93,135 towards my foundation and other local programs. I have packaged over 56,667, taught 359 workshops. I teach STEAM Workshops in-person, virtual video or Zoom Meetings. I prepackage all STEAM supplies and provide to each student at no cost to them. Through my leadership and community service, I reached approximately 456,862 people,
increased my workshop volunteers from 1 to 7 and completed 3,364 volunteer hours valued at $96,008 based on $28.54 per hour. In conclusion, volunteering during this time of transformation has been a challenge, but Oklahoma 4-H helped its members rise above the challenges in becoming strong leaders, community servants, and creative innovators. Mahatma Gandhi said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Therefore, it is crucial Oklahoma 4-H members continue to step out of their comfort zones to teach communities about things they love to do, things they wish they could do, things that are encouraging, and life skills. We have overcome the challenge to help grow the future Oklahoma 4-H by training professional girls and boy by change Oklahoma one community at a time. After all, Oklahoma 4-H is a community continually brought together under one goal as one: One Member, One Club, One Community, One Goal – We’re all in this together.
SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD WINNERS SCHOLARSHIPS ACHIEVEMENT
AMBASSADOR ALUMNI*
ADVANCED ACHIEVEMENT
B.A. Pratt Memorial Endowment Brianna Deeds, Lilyana Sestak, Emily Ward
Harold and Edith Shaw Memorial Endowment Carolyn Greenfield Vernon and Ronda McKown Endowment Hayden Harper
ADVANCED AGRICULTURE
CITIZENSHIP
Oklahoma 4-H Ambassador Alumni Erin Slagell
Gene and Judy McKown Endowment Alexis Haynes
B.A. PRATT MEMORIAL
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN SCIENCES
BANCFIRST OUTSTANDING MEMBER
College of Education & Human Sciences Mucio Davila
CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Rule of Law Endowment Emma Taylor
BancFirst Ethan Haggard
ADVANCED CITIZENSHIP
BARNES FAMILY*
Oklahoma Vegetation Management Association Berkeley Ulrey
BEEF
Southwest Dairy Museum Brooklyn Autry
Mike Synar Memorial Endowment Maggie Evans
ADVANCED FABRIC & FASHIONS
Wilma Wendt Pattillo Endowment Summer Prince
Barnes Family Endowment Phillip Raulie Kunc Family Farms Ryne Crosthwait
BRADY BENSON MEMORIAL
ADVANCED FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES
Benson Family Endowment KayLea Taylor
Oklahoma Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences & Oklahoma Association of Educators of 4-H Development Programs Hunter Kelsey
BREADS
ADVANCED PUBLIC SPEAKING
Shawnee Milling Company Abby Logan
CHARLES & BETTY SMITH ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Noble McIntyre of McIntyre Law Elizabeth Chambers
Orlean and Shane Smith Wyatt Hood
AGRICULTURE
CHARLES & BETTY SMITH ADVANCED ALL OTHER PROJECTS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Kunc Family Farms McKayla Hunt
ALL OTHER PROJECTS AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Oklahoma Vegetation Management Association & Dr. Gary and Becky Stone Endowment Bridger Arrington
ALL OTHER PROJECTS FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES
Dr. Lynda Harriman Maggie Amador
ALL OTHER PROJECTS SMALL ANIMALS Hesser Memorial Endowment Dylan Neely
Orlean and Shane Smith Matthew Lewis
CHARLES & BETTY SMITH ALL OTHER PROJECTS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Orlean and Shane Smith Matt Martin
CHILD CARE
Kathy Rutledge Memorial Endowment Hayley Brown
CHOCTAW NATION
Choctaw Nation Endowment Haven Hinton
DAIRY
DANA SMITH MEMORIAL
McBroom-Sanders Endowment Karson Frans
DOG
Dr. Stuart Ratcliff Family Hannah Cross
DORIS & ALLAN GOODBARY Allan Goodbary Phillip Raulie
FABRIC & FASHIONS
Wilma Wendt Pattillo Endowment Christabel Thomas
FLOYD & VIOLA HARTMAN MEMORIAL Hartman Endowment Rylee Young
FOOD SCIENCE
Edwin and Winona Presley Memorial Endowment Haven Hinton
GEOLOGY
Oklahoma Energy Resources Board Brandon Raulie
GIBSON-OTT MEMORIAL
Gibson-Ott Endowment Carrington Kohout
GOATS
Rule of Law Endowment Samuel Patterson
GRIFFITH FAMILY COMMUNITY SERVICE
Griffith Family Emilee Coxsey
HALL OF FAME
Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma Reed Marcum, Zachary Wagner
HEALTH & FITNESS
Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives Audrey Allen
HORSE
Shawnee Milling Company Abbey Loney
HORTICULTURE & PLANT SCIENCE Oklahoma Horticultural Society Kylee Detrick
IRA HOLLAR ADVANCED LEADERSHIP Ira Hollar Endowment Zachary Wagner
J.D. EDMONSON MEMORIAL AMBASSADOR*
MODELLE PATTILLO & HUGO GRAUMANN MEMORIAL
SHAW FAMILY AMBASSADOR*
Pattillo/Graumann Memorial Endowments Erin Slagell, Tori Booker
Harold and Edith Shaw Memorial Endowment Tori Booker, KayLea Taylor, Keona Mason, Kallie Clifton, Emma Taylor
NOBRO FARMS LLC*
SHEEP
NoBro Farms LLC Endowment Ashlynn Huston
Rule of Law Endowment Trinity Burton
OKLAHOMA ASSOCIATION OF FAIRS & FESTIVALS
SHOOTING SPORTS
Oklahoma Association of Fairs and Festivals & Rule of Law Endowment Bailey Hatfield
OKLAHOMA YOUTH EXPO PERFORMING ARTS
Friends of Southeast District 4-H Kynli Jones, Morley Griffith
Oklahoma Youth Expo Hayden Harper, Ashlynn Huston Edwin and Winona Presley Memorial Endowment Jacob Raulie
PHOTOGRAPHY
Tracy Family Endowment Skyler Kearby
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Noble McIntyre of McIntyre Law Jenessa Dugger
KEY CLUB SCHOLARSHIP
R.D. Farmer Endowment Wyatt Hood
LARRY D. ANDERSON MEMORIAL
Larry D. Anderson Memorial Endowment Emily Griffith
LEADERSHIP
Jerry and Julie Kiefer Endowment Jack Geary
LINDSAY & LINDSEY SHEERER* Lindsay and Lindsey Sheerer Endowment Tori Booker
MARJORIE MOESEL*
Marjorie Moesel Endowment Emily Ward
MICHAEL LANDOLL & FAMILY
Michael Landoll and Family Endowment & Rule of Law Endowment Molly Bellew
SIDWELL AGRIBUSINESS
Sidwell Family Summer Prince
J.D. Edmonson Memorial Ambassador Endowment KayLea Taylor Oklahoma 4-H Key Club Endowment Hunter Kelsey
Oklahoma City Gun Club Johnathan Bullard
R.D. FARMER*
RECREATION & LEISURE ARTS
Ray Parker Memorial Endowment Kate Wardlaw
RETTA MILLER*
Retta Miller Endowment Hayden Harper
RULE OF LAW ALUMNI
Rule of Law Endowment Karina Feng, Madison Stephens, Cortney Evans, Raphael Wall, Serena Woodard
RULE OF LAW GRADUATING SENIOR
Rule of Law Endowment Zachary Wagner, Emma Hickey, Wyatt Nikodym, Khloe Haile, Murphy Peterson, Taylor Kelley, Adeline Harn
SAFETY
Oklahoma Farm Bureau Rebecca Taylor
SOUTHEAST DISTRICT STOWERS FAMILY*
Stowers Family Leaders of Tomorrow Lilyana Sestak
SWINE
Oklahoma Pork Council Braden Robbins
TRACEY COX MEMORIAL
Tracey Cox Memorial Endwoment & Rule of Law Endowment Jentri Rayburn
VETERINARY SCIENCE
Chapman Farms Neva Howard
WILDLIFE & FISHERIES Rule of Law Endowment Steven Kohen
AWARDS SHOLAR ESSAY CONTEST Dr. Ron and Linda Sholar 1st Place - Emilee Coxsey 2nd Place - Colton Trip 3rd Place - Hannah Cross
To learn more about how you can support the mission of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, please contact Milford H. Jenkins at 405-744-8884 or milford.jenkins@okstate.edu *OSU Foundation, Pickens Scholarship
ORDER OF THE CLOVER DIAMOND CLOVER ($50,000+) Oklahoma Farm Bureau
PLATINUM CLOVER ($10,000+)
Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma American Farmers and Ranchers Arvest Foundation Bayer Fund Flint Lodge No. 11 AF and AM Founders of Doctors Hospital Inc. Keep Oklahoma Beautiful George and Floretta Bellmon Trust Masonic Charity of Oklahoma Merl Miller Oklahoma Beef Council Betty Smith
JADE CLOVER ($5,000+)
American Plant Products & Services, Inc. Anonymous Bent Arrow Veterinary Hospital Jered and Lindsey Davidson FIRST Bart Fischer Gene Haas Foundation SuzAnn Hertzler Virginia Hellwge Rodd and Dona Moesel Oklahoma AgCredit Oklahoma Pork Council
GOLD CLOVER ($2,500+)
American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture BancFirst Trust and Investment Management Darrell L. Bilke Family Boeing Douglas Burns Emmett and Linda Carter Jack and Beverly Chapman Ron and Darlene Justice Michael Landoll Susan and Kent Murry Native American Agriculture Fund Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives Oklahoma City Gun Club Oklahoma Youth Expo Jeanalee and Charles Parsons Foundation Louise Ratcliff Adam Richardson Jim Rutledge Shawnee Milling Co. Gary and Joyce Sherrer Southwest Dairy Museum, Inc. Terry Stowers United Way of Pottawatomie Co. Waterways Journal
SILVER CLOVER ($1,000+)
Leeland and Diana Alexander Bill and Karen Anderson BancFirst Marla and Joe Barnes Steve and Tracy Beck Gene and Ann Benson Blue and Gold Sausage Melinda Boatwright Marilyn S. Boevers Dan Bomhoff & Trudy Torrez Steven and Suzanne Bomhoff CAF America Cattlemens Bank Cornerstone Planning Group John Cothren Charles and Natalie Cox Dearinger Printing & Trophies Inc. Department of Education and human Sciences Robert Doenges Damona Doye Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma The Farmers Co-operatives Association Daniel and Sheila Forbes Gallagher Re Kent Gardner John and Janice Grundmann James Hall Dennis Jay and Valerie Hannah Shirley Hastings Pete and Barbara Hatfield Heritage Place Houck Agency Insurance and Real Estate iCapital Structured CDs and Structured Notes Indian Electric Cooperative Jay and Karen W. Keller Jerry and Julie Kiefer Clifford L. Knight Foundation Karla Knoepfli Land O’Lakes, Inc. Foundation Patrick and Karen Sue Landoll Roy Lee Lindsey, Jr. Longacre, Inc. McConnell Plumbing Noble McIntyre of McIntyre Law Mason and Renee Mungle The Nix Foundation OERB Oklahoma Vegetation Management Association Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation Oklahoma Cattlewomen, Inc. Oklahoma Cotton Council Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee Oklahoma Horticultural Society Oklahoma Rural Water Association Oneok Foundation inc. Richard and Leslye Owen Christa Pankowsky David Parker The Public Finance Law Group PLLC Michelle and Kevin Rieff Carl and Mary Sue Sanders Julie and John Schurman
Gwen Shaw Ron and Linda Sholar Brenda Sidwell Simmons Bank The Sirloin Club of Oklahoma Dwight Stoddard Cathleen Taylor Dixie and Greg Thomas Becky Walker Robert E. Walton Nancy J. Warden West Win Farms LLC
BRONZE CLOVER ($500+)
AFRMIC American Asset Management American National Insurance Company BancFirst - Guthrie Bank of Western Oklahoma Carter County Home & Community Education CF Industries Choctaw County Farmers Union, Inc. ConocoPhillips Company Dr. Thomas and Rhonda Coon DASNR - Vice President’s Office Department of Animal and Food Science Judith Depew Angela Dockrey Dockrey Land & Cattle Exchange Bank - Perry/Stillwater Mark S. Gregory Karen Grethen Houston Financial Jackson National Life Insurance Company Mainstay Investments Nationwide Environmental Services, Inc. Oklahoma Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Foundation Oklahoma Community Credit Union Oklahoma Land Lady Reak Estate & Auctions LLC Oklahoma Soybean Board Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association Oklahoma Warer Resources Board John C. Pfieffer Pontotoc County 4-H Prudential Public Service Company of Oklahoma Claude P Rosson III Schieffer & Schieffer, Inc. Simmons Bank - Stillwater DaLacy Sleeper The Bank NA Joe and Sue Williams Yukon Veterans Museum
GREEN CLOVER ($100+)
Kay Abel AgYouth All America Bank Susan and Russ Allen Ally Financial Deborah and Lauren Alspaugh Anonymous
Anonymous Pamela Miller Ardern Kelly Arrington Blayne Arthur Kaye and Jim Aulgur Richard Bailey Gerri Ballard Terry Baransy Patti Barker Kent, Diana, KC and Hallie Barnes Pat Barnes and Family Susan Barrett Lynne Beam Beck and Root Propane Company Bennington Alumni Association Connie and Jack Betchan Melinda Shockey Bookout Mary Ann Briggs Larry and Becky Brooks Holly Bunt Randal and Gayla Burris Canadian County 4-H Kristi Chapman Cathy Carr Marguerite Christman Natalie Church Cynda Clary Cindy and Lewis Conner Carly and Scott Cordell Desta Crawford Dorlana Crowell Debbie Davis Shelly Pelter Davis
Ann Dillon
Nancy Dunlap Wayne and Susie Edgar Lance Embree Valeri J. Evans Farmers Co-Operative Exchange - Bessie, Cordell, Burns Flat Richard and Shirley Felts Katherine Ferrandino First National Bank & Trust - Cordell First National Bank & Trust - Elk City Joe and Vickey Francis Elaine Fransen Louis Gardner Allen Giblet Insurance Agency Kay Gilchrist Leo and Sherri Goeringer Margaret Goss Treva and Jim Graham Greenleaf Nursery Co. Kalin Gregory
Josh Grundmann Steven and Jonith Grundmann Carl and Kathleen Hamby Patsy Heidlage Kris Hiney HLS Ventures LLC Christa Hudgins Spanich Baker Hughes Interstate Equine, LLC Paul and Kim Jackson Milford and Peggy Jenkins Sandy and Ron Johnson Betty and Ray Paul Jones Belinda Justice Janna and Bryant Kelley** E.R. and Dolores Kimsey Jimmy W. Kinder David Kinney Melinda and John Kinney Phil Kliewer Dave and Marybeth Leavitt Roland Lemke Judith G. Lindsey Gary Loeffelholz Betty Lott Sarah Maass Thomas Mapel Scott Marshall Mayer Legacy, LLC Sharon McKay Craig and Jean McKinley Steve McKinley Ronda McKown Jim and Glenda Meek Messer-Bowers Insurance Brenda Miller Janet Mitchell Janet Moore Stanley Moseley National Reined Cow Horse Association Zan Nelson Cheryl A. Newberry** New Cordell Tag Agency Lucia and John O’Connor Oklahoma Gardeners Association Oklahoma Home and Community Education - Tulsa County Mark, Shayna, William and Alex Paden Amy Parks Richard and Norma Payne Pearces Southside Grocery Merrileta McAfee Periard Harold and Sue Peyton Beth Phillippi Michael and Mila Pickett Jimmy and Sandra Piercy
Gaylon Pinc Pontotoc County OHCE Porters Insurance Agency Eileen Prevost Garvin and Clarice Quinn David and Kamela Ratcliff Hank and Crissy Reeves Kristin Regier Nanette Reyes Jim Rhodes James and Linda Riley James Ritz Shari Yelton Roebuck David Root Richard and Anna Ross John Roush Robert and Patsy Rowland Charlie and Sunny Rufo Mandy Schroeder Lonnie and Arlene Sellers Lanny and Connie Sells Raymond D. Sharp Debbie Sharp Kathleen and Grover Shelts Joyce Sherrer Don and Pam Sherrer Jim and Billie Shields Jim and Mary Simms Rebecca Smith D. Eileen Smith Derek and Laura Smithee Paula and Carlos Squires Mike Steele CE Stonecipher David and Judy Sturgeon Tammy Street abd Jerry Webb** Elizabeth I. Taylor** Teal Insurance Agency Nancy Dunlap and Janet Thomason Paul and Lola Thompson Joe Trumbly Tulsa County Farm Bureau Tulsa County Farmers Union Local 543 Inc. Tulsa Garden Club Tulsa Pier Drilling Valley View Pecan Company Mickey and Bonnie Vanderwork Alan and Pat VanDeventer Ida Fay Gary Winters Dorothy Wilson Jeanette Yokley Julie and Steve York ** Donation recieved by OSU Foundation
HONORARY & MEMORIAL GIFTS IN MEMORY OF VONDA SUE ALBERT by Mark and Shayna Paden Lanny and Connie Sells
BETTY JANE BAKER by Ruth Baker Treva Graham HLS Adventures LLC Aubrey and Martha Latham
BRADY BENSON
by Gene and Ann Benson Dwight Stoddard
PATRICIA BROADY by Betty Lott Rachelle Mackey
PHIL BUCKMASTER by Gerri and Glenn Ballard
CHARLIE BURNS by Houston Financial
TRACEY COX by Bart Fischer
DONNA CURRY by Gerri Ballard
JANET DALLAS
by Roy and Martha Waters
DONNA THOMASON DEMING by Nancy Dunlap Janet Thomason
WILLIAM S. DOENGES by Robert Doenges
ADAM WADE FERRELL by Brenda Miller
YVONNE FRANSEN by Kay Abel Tom and Marilyn Brower Elaine Fransen Craig Meacham Pete and Barbara Hatfield Ladd and Maxine Hudgins Todd Hudgins Chad Hudgins Pam and Clint Roush Vincent and Audra Sheilds Christina Hudgins Spanich
RALPH GODFREY
JEAN NIGHTENGALE
BILL HALL
RAY PARKER
VICKEY HOWARD
ALLINE PFEIFFER
by Susan Murray
by Dea Rash
by Gene and Ann Benson
RICHARD LARKIN by Barbara Hatfield Susan Murray
by Barbara Hatfield
by Craig McKinley
by Gene and Anne Benson Charles and Natalie Cox
PHILLIP PRATT
by Charles and Natalie Cox
ROBIN HOWARD LASSITER
PAT AND CAROL PRICE
JANICE LEFORCE
CURTIS RICHARDSON
RONALD W. MILLINGTON
KAREN RICHARDSON
by Gene and Ann Benson
by Connie and Jack Betcham
by Tulsa Pier Drilling
MARJORIE MOESEL
by Blayne Arthur Dr. Steve and Tracy Beck Mike and Mignon Bolay Douglas Burns Cynda Clary Dr. Thomas ans Rhonda Coon Shirley Felts James and Pamela Fuser Kay Gilchrist Greenleef Nursery Co. Josh Grundmann Milford and Peggy Jenkins Jerry Kiefer and Associates LLC Jimmy W. Kinder Mayer Legacy, LLC Glenda Meek Preciosa Moesel Susan Murray Zan Nelson Rita Newton Oklahoma Farm Bureau Richard Payne Anna and Richard Ross Jim Rutledge and Pat McNally Gwen Shaw Terry and Annette Stowers Albert Sutherland Marie and David VonTungeln
MARJORIE MOESEL AND BOB TERRY by Charles Cox
ARDATH MURRAY by Janet Mitchell
by Pete and Barbara Hatfield
by Susan and Kent Murray
by Pete and Barbara Hatfield Adam Richardson
STUART RATCLIFF by Keely Ratcliff
BOB TERRY
by Susan and Kent Murray
ROBERT WHITSON
by Dr. Thomas and Rhonda Coon Claude P. Rosson III
KEVIN WILLIAMS by Ronda McKown
IN HONOR OF LEELAND ALEXANDER
by Founders of Doctors Hospital Inc.
JAYLYNN BARCUM
by Carl and Mary Sue Sanders
GERRY BALLARD
by Susan and Kent Murray
MOLLY BELLEW
by Carl and Mary Sue Sanders
ELIZABETH CHAMBERS by Carl and Mary Sue Sanders
KENNA ESTES AND OWEN WERTH by Jane Carpenter
JENNA GABERINO
KRIS HINEY
SUE GUNKEL PEYTON
CAROLYN GREENFIELD
TAYLOR KELLEY
GWEN SHAW
KHLOE HAILE
LOIS OLZAWSKI
ETHAN SHOEMAKE
by Carl and Mary Sue Sanders
by Oklahoma Vet Medical Association
by Carl and Mary Sue Sanders
by Carl and Mary Sue Sanders
by Carl and Mary Sue Sanders
SHIRLEY WELCH HASTINGS by Sue Peyton
BAILEY HATFIELD
by Patricia Barker Patti Barker Susan Barrett Carol Olzawaski Julie York
MURPHY PETERSON
by Carl and Mary Sue Sanders
by Shirley Hastings
by Dixie Thomas
by Carl and Mary Sue Sanders
EMMA TAYLOR
by Carl and Mary Sue Sanders
KAYLEA TAYLOR
by Carl and Mary Sue Sanders
by Carl and Mary Sue Sanders
BRENDA HILL
by Susan and Kent Murray
LIFETIME GIVING
ORDER OF THE CLOVER
“You make a living by what you get. You Make a life by what you give.”
- Winston S. Churchill
EMERALD CLOVER $1,000,000+
Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma Roscoe D. Farmer Rule of Law Education Fund
DIAMOND CLOVER $100,000+
American Farmers & Ranchers Charles and Betty Smith Department of Tourism and Recreation Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma Hille Family Foundation Jakie H. Jones Irrevocable Trust Jerry and Julie Kiefer Mary Sue and Carl Sanders
National 4-H Council OG&E Energy Oklahoma Beef Council Oklahoma Farm Bureau Oklahoma Pork Council Oklahoma Wheat Research Foundation Orlean and Shane Smith Pontotoc County 4-H Robert T. Stuart Southwest Dairy Museum, Inc. Specialty Vehicle Institute of America Walmart Foundation
PLATINUM CLOVER $50,000+
Canadian County 4-H Cecelia Kouns
Picture Here?
DeEstye Richman Flint Lodge No. 11 AF and AM Jerry Kiefer & Associates LLC Jim Rutledge Karen W. Keller Loyd K. & Peggy L. Stephens Foundation OK LP Gas RM&S Commission Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives Oklahoma Association of Extension 4-H Agents Shawnee Milling Co. Southwestern Bell Company Terry and Annette Stowers The Sirloin Club of Oklahoma Tulsa County 4-H Vernon and Ronda McKown William S. Doenges
MAKING THE BEST BETTER
LIVING HISTORY
Oklahoma 4-H is the youth development organization of Oklahoma State University Extension. 4-H is dedicated to providing meaningful opportunities for youth and adults to work together to create sustainable community change. This is accomplished within three primary content areas, or mission mandates:
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT 4‑H civic engagement programs empower young people to be well-informed citizens who are actively engaged in their communities and the world.
HEALTHY LIVING 4‑H healthy living programs help 4‑H youth learn how to lead lives that balance physical, mental, and emotional health.
SCIENCE 4‑H science programs provide 4‑H youth the opportunity to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) through fun, hands-on activities and projects.
4-H’ERS ARE: 4X 2X More likely to contribute to their communities.
More likely to be civically active.
2X 2X
More likely to make healthier choices. More likely to contribute to participate in STEM programs.