The Arkansas 4-H Foundation awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships and sponsorships to 4-H members who have demonstrated excellence in their projects and leadership abilities.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to celebrate our amazing 4-H youths,” John Thomas, the foundation’s managing director, said. “Their grit and determination have earned them these life-changing scholarship awards. Thanks to the incredible support from our ever-growing community of donors, we’re able to help fuel their dreams to shine bright and transform their communities for the better.”
The awards were announced July 23 during Arkansas 4-H State O-Rama, which brought more than 300 4-H members from across the state to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, for competitive events, workshops, tours and fun. During their four-day stay, members attended a dinner with scholarship donors, many of whom were former 4-H members.
“I’ve seen students who are in Ph.D. programs, in law school, in med school, and they’ve sat where you’re sitting,” Deacue Fields, vice president of agriculture for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, told them. “A lot of donors here have sat where you’re sitting, and you may be sitting in their place one day.”
Fields thanked the donors who have given generously to create opportunities for youths.
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“You may not know the full value of your gift for years to come, but know you’re investing in future leaders,” he said.
Thirty-three 4-H members received college scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $8,000.
“These scholarships represent many years of project effort, skill development and planning by each of these 4-Hers,” said Debbie Nistler, head of Arkansas 4-H and youth development for the Division of Agriculture. “We are excited to watch them succeed in their next adventure.”
Sue Marshall Scholarship
The largest scholarship — the Sue Marshall Scholarship — provides $8,000 to recipients. Sarah Lamb of Howard County and Kaitlyn Spencer of Lonoke County each received the award.
Spencer said she plans to attend Arkansas Tech University and major in agriculture education, with plans to one day teach high school. She’s been in 4-H for 10 years with projects related to plants and agriculture. Spencer is also an FFA member.
“Being a first-generation college student and trying to find my way, I’m fortunate for every opportunity I’ve been given in 4-H,” Spencer said. “My scholarship helps alleviate some of the college financial burden, so my main focus can be on academics.”
Other awards and recipients include:
Erica Williams Memorial Scholarship — $5,000
Sylvana Burgess, Jefferson County
Ada & Tyrell Anderson Scholarship — $6,000
Rylie Bignar, Washington County
Robert D. and Betty F. Oliver Scholarship — $4,000
Randa Rhoades, Scott County
Rick and Lynette Cartwright Scholarship — $3,500
Josef Isaiah Breshears, Pulaski County
C.A. and Joyce Vines — $2,000
Rowdy Warren, Pope County
Farm Credit of Arkansas — $2,000
Graceyn Moore, Benton County
Sawyer Beggs, Montgomery County
Dennis Millard Memorial — $2,000
Callen Shaw, Grant County
Cecil and Selena Smith Memorial — $1,000
Caitlin Cooper, White County
Gladys Klepfer and Bo & Peggy Cobb Scholarship — $2,000
Josiah Lillard, White County
John W. White Scholarship — $2,000
Natalie Miller, Logan County
Zack O. and Jennie D. Jennings Scholarship — $2,000
Kenlee Harris, Benton County
Division of Agriculture Livestock — $2,000
Kaylee Cheek, Marion County
Koehler Carmack, Polk County
Katie Kennedy, Cleburne County
Christian Trombley, Howard County
Oaklawn Jockey Scholarship — $1,000
Jake Sawyer, Sevier County
Taylor Henley, Marion County
Maeda Asbell Scholarship — $2,000
Georgia Stockton, Clark County
Larry Sandage Arkansas Forage & Grassland Council — $2,000
Elizabeth Johnson, Crawford County
Raymond Cox Scholarship — $1,000
Daniel Darnell, Benton County
Kallie Franks, Benton County
4-H License Plate Scholarship — $2,000 each
Ava Blanchard, Fulton County
Caroline Epperson, Benton County
Ellie Ferren, White County
Arkansas 4-H Centennial Endowment — $2,000
Shelby Bateman, Pope County
Aaron Hinojosa, Benton County
Emma Holmes, Clay County
Mr. Bill Outstanding Animal Sciences Scholarship — $2,000
Summer Carothers, Grant County
Bragg Family Memorial Scholarship — $2,000
Connor Henry, Arkansas County
Brady Extension Homemakers Club Scholarship — $2,000
Sidney Morrison, Searcy County
Governor’s Award and Finalists
The Governor’s Award is the highest honor in Arkansas 4-H. This year’s recipient, Ellie Ferren of White County, received a $3,000 scholarship and a silver platter.
The three finalists who each received $1,000 are:
Caitlin Cooper, White County
Connor Henry, Arkansas County
Victoria Hickman, Greene County
The scholarships are funded by Dr. Joel and Ann Anderson, the Division of Agriculture and the Dr. Darlene Millard 4-H Governor’s Award Endowment Fund.
Advanced Record Book Winners
More than 40 members were advanced record book winners and will receive $1,500 sponsorships if they choose to attend the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta in November. All 4-H members keep record books throughout their 4-H experience, detailing the impact of their projects, leadership and citizenship development and community service.
Ashley County
Mabry Davis, Animal Science
Benton County
Lydia Brown, Fine Arts
Kolby Campbell, Environmental Science and Energy
Lillian Clinehens, Animal Science
Krystal Estrada, Fine Arts
Zachariah Hinojosa, Healthy Living-Body
Zoey Hinojosa, Animal Science
Emily Jackson, Plants and Agriculture
Brooklyn Luedecke, Personal Development
Bailey Malone, Animal Science
Emma Millsaps, Animal Science
Graceyn Moore, Animal Science
Ramsey Puryear, Healthy Living-Body
Addison Robins, Animal Science
Lillian Swarengin, Fine Arts
Carroll County
Andrew Rexwinkle, Animal Science
Clark County
Brady Daniel, Healthy Living-Body
Blakley Thompson, Animal Science
Columbia County
Dawson Dolly, Animal Science
Faulkner County
Ahvielle Wilson, Engineering & Technology
Greene County
Hudson Twitch, Environmental Science & Energy
Howard County
Anna McKinnon, Healthy Living-Body
Independence County
Michael Dunehew, Animal Science
Annaleigh Mead, Healthy Living-Body
Logan Wiltrout, Animal Science
Samantha Williams, Fine Arts
Johnson County
Karson Underhill, Environmental Science & Energy
Lonoke County
Kaitlyn Caswell-Mogish, Animal Science
Kaitlyn Spencer, Plants & Agriculture
Madison County
Andrew Hendricks, Animal Science
Vallie Yancey, Animal Science
Montgomery County
Opal Samons, Healthy Living-Body
Pope County
Nate Bucci, Engineering & Technology
Pulaski County
Josef Breshears, Personal Development
Sebastian County
Mary Dunn, Animal Science
Drake Slate, Personal Development
Sevier County
Charlie Collins, Environmental Science & Energy
Union County
Parker Saffold, Animal Science
Washington County
Joshua Bailey, Animal Science
Alyosha Wood, Engineering & Technology
White County
Sadie Lillard, Healthy Living-Body
Delylia Sanderlin, Healthy Living-Body
To learn about Arkansas 4-H, visit https://4h.uada.edu/ or contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. To learn more about the Arkansas 4-H Foundation, visit https://arkansas4hfoundation.org/.
Tracy Courage is with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.