Hall of Fame

Induction into the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame is the highest honor a 4-H’er can achieve on the state level. Being inducted during the 100th State 4-H Roundup makes it even more exciting.

To make it even better, Rachel Mitchell is the first State 4-H Hall of Fame inductee from Tillman County, creating a trifecta of sorts at the centennial celebration of Oklahoma’s biggest 4-H event July 28-30 on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater.

“It makes me feel very proud that I can represent Tillman County in this way,” Mitchell said. “I’m proud to be a role model for kids.”

An active 4-H’er for nine years, Mitchell said her 4-H career began in fourth grade as a little girl who just wanted to fit in — looking up to the big kids in her club. Today, her role has changed and she’s the one teaching others about the positive impact 4-H can have on youth.

When she joined the Frederick 4-H Club, she said there weren’t a lot of club members. One of her main projects has been to increase the membership in Tillman County. She said one way she’s helped do that is just by being more visible.

“I talked to my friends about 4-H and we started doing community service projects. We’d get out and work in Frederick and let people see what we were doing and help them learn what 4-H is all about,” she said. “Our membership has really increased over the years.”

Mitchell learned early in her 4-H career that she loved to help people, so being involved in community service projects was a natural fit. She can be found lending a hand at local events and attending workshops or meetings that involve helping her town of Frederick. She has been instrumental in organizing local club members to help with the Adopt-the-Block project, as well as helping clean up around the local museum.

“The more people who get involved in 4-H help leads to more involved citizens, better leaders and people who will give back to their communities,” she said.

It was through the childcare project area that Mitchell became involved with Special Clovers Camp, where she served as a Clover Buddy for two years. Special Clovers Camp is a camp for 4-H members with special needs. Through her experiences as a Clover Buddy, she said she has learned more about children with special needs and developed more patience. This also is where the idea of becoming a state officer was born.

“I was able to meet some of the state and district officers, and they talked to me about how much more 4-H had to offer outside of my county,” she said.

She has since served as the southern West District vice president. She just completed a year as a West District representative on the state leadership council. She also has served as the West District photographer, as well as county vice president.

She has demonstrated her leadership and public speaking skills by leading a variety of workshops and presentations. She also has served as a delegate to Citizenship Washington Focus, a leadership development opportunity in Washington, D.C.

“I loved going on the CWF trip. It’s one of my favorite memories of 4-H,” Mitchell said. “It was on this trip that I met people from across the whole nation. I was able to see different parts of the county and learn more about the culture of America.”

Arron Henson, OSU Extension educator in Tillman County, said Mitchell is the ideal club member.

“She’s the kind of kid every educator wants. She’s always willing to help with workshops, community service events or any other activities,” Henson said. “She even helps me decorate the Christmas tree at the county courthouse every year.”

He said many of the Tillman County 4-H’ers have had great success in the show ring, and Mitchell being inducted into the Hall of Fame is as exciting as kids winning at the Oklahoma Youth Expo.

“It’s very exciting as her educator to see her be the first Tillman County 4-H’er to receive this honor,” he said.

She is a 2021 graduate of Frederick High School and will be attending Southwestern Oklahoma State University this fall to study elementary education.

When she becomes a teacher, she plans to teach the Ag in the Classroom curriculum to her students to help them understand the importance of agriculture in Oklahoma. Teaching also will give her a chance to help younger children learn about all the great things the Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development program has to offer.

“The 4-H program has taught me so many things that I wouldn’t have learned somewhere else. It has taught me the meaning of a good handshake, learning how to get out of my comfort zone and be more outgoing,” she said. “It has helped me find the things that I’m most passionate about while striving to meet my goals.”

She is the daughter of Brian and Kayla Mitchell. Oklahoma Ag Credit sponsors a $5,000 scholarship for Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame inductees.

Story by Trisha Gedon

RACHEL MITCHELL

HALL OF FAME

Story by Trisha Gedon

LILYANA SESTAK

Lincoln County 4-H’er Lilyana Sestak was taking part in 4-H events long before she was old enough to be an official member, but that’s what happens when your dad is the local Oklahoma State University Extension 4-H educator.

Once she officially became a Cloverbud, she knew her possibilities were limitless but within reach — and she hasn’t slowed down since then. One of those many possibilities became a reality when she was inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame during the 100th State 4-H Roundup that took place July 28-30 on the OSU campus in Stillwater.

“When I got the call that I’d won, it was just surreal,” said Sestak, who is a member of the Prague 4-H Club. “I broke out in tears. I just feel so honored to be recognized like this.”

Born into a farming and ranching family, Sestak assumed she would participate in 4-H livestock projects, which she has, but her true passion is in the foods project. As much as she enjoyed helping with the family’s cattle, she was most at home in the kitchen with her grandmother, perfecting all kinds of recipes, including those that helped her learn more about her Czech heritage. Her skills in the kitchen were instrumental in being named a food science state record book winner.

When asked what she enjoys most about being involved in 4-H, Sestak is quick to answer.

“4-H teaches us not just life skills, but social and business skills, too. I’ve learned to be professional and business like,” she said. “These are things that will help me in the future. I also enjoy all of the relationships I’ve developed in 4-H. This is one of the few organizations that helps us branch out of our community, county and state because of all the opportunities we have across the country. I’ve made so many friends from all over the United States because of conferences I’ve attended through 4-H.”

As her father and her county 4-H educator, Ross Sestak said he couldn’t be more proud of her accomplishments.

“She has continually strived to be a mentor to younger members and peers in the 4-H program. She’s a true testament that with leadership and success, there must be true sacrifice,” Ross Sestak said. “Lilyana has overcome many obstacles, persevered through the challenges, and made not only the people around her better, but ascended with them as well. She’s a pure example of how a small-town girl can make a tremendous impact on those around her.”

Jessica Riggin, another 4-H educator in the Lincoln County OSU Extension office, is proud of the young woman Sestak has grown into.

“I’ve watched Lily grow from a beginning Cloverbud to a remarkable 4-H member and young lady. She can do anything she sets her mind to do, and as her educator, I could not be more proud,” Riggin said.

Her years in 4-H have honed her leadership skills, which she has used in a variety of leadership roles on the local, county, district and state levels, including Northeast District representative and vice president of the State 4-H leadership council. Some of her other 4-H honors include being named a Noble Cause winner, Prague 4-H Outstanding Junior Member, Lincoln County Hall of Fame inductee and county speech contest winner. She also served as a delegate to Citizenship Washington Focus, a leadership development opportunity in Washington, D.C.

Although the 4-H program is known for its four H’s — head, heart, hands and health — Sestak said there’s a fifth H for her — home.

“This program has been with me since birth. It’s a home not only for me but for thousands of others. My dad has served as a father figure not only to his own family, but for many kids involved in 4-H,” she said. “We care about you before you enroll in 4-H, and we care about you long after. We’re Oklahoma’s family and this is something I’m very passionate about.”

Sestak is a shining example of the 4-H motto “To Make the Best Better.” She is the daughter of Ross Sestak and Krista Ray. A 2021 graduate of Prague High School, she will attend OSU this fall to study biochemistry and molecular biology. She hopes to later attend the OSU Center for Health Sciences and earn a doctorate in osteopathic medicine and become a hand and foot surgeon.

Oklahoma Ag Credit sponsors a $5,000 scholarship for Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame inductees. In addition to the Hall of Fame honors, Sestak also was awarded the $1,200 Advanced Achievement project scholarship sponsored by the Vernon and Ronda McKown Endowment; the $1,200 Larry D. Anderson Memorial Scholarship sponsored by the Larry D. Anderson Memorial; the $1,200 Hessell Memorial Scholarship in Public Speaking sponsored by the David Hessell Family; and the $2,000 Retta Miller Scholarship sponsored by the Retta Miller Endowment.