S.C. 4-H recognizes top teens for leadership and citizenship

Published: August 5, 2010

CLEMSON — More than 100 young people from across South Carolina, along with 4-H county agents and advisers, gathered at Clemson University July 13-17 for the 48th annual State 4-H Congress, which was culminated by the annual awards banquet.

The annual event, which includes activities centered on leadership, citizenship, community service and work force/career preparation, is a highlight for 4-Hers and the chance to be recognized for a year of hard work and achievement. This year, high-school delegates ages 14-19 represented 23 counties and more than 73,000 4-H participants statewide.

The Clover Awards Banquet, held Friday, included the following presentation of awards for the delegates:
 
The highest 4-H honor, The Presidential Tray, recognizes the top four Senior 4-H members who are National 4-H Congress and/or National 4-H Conference alumni and have outstanding accomplishments in 4-H leadership, citizenship and project work. Each recipient receives a silver Presidential Tray and a $1,500 educational scholarship presented by Clemson University President James Barker. This year’s winners are:

• Ashlyn Bassett of Chester County
• Courtney Cabaniss of Lancaster County
• Larabeth Schurlknight of Berkeley County
• Michael Winningham of Charleston County

The state winners, who receive $500 educational scholarships and trips to the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta in November, are:

• Teresa Carter of Bamberg County
• Tyra Douglas of York County
• Miranda Hinnant of York County
• Jordan Lake of Saluda County
• Forrest Lambert of Berkeley County
• William Mc Daniel of York County
• Lauren McGill of York County
• Deirdre Miles of Chester county
• Nicole Moody of Barnwell County
• Sara Pinson of Laurens County
• Taylor Sandifer of York County
• Andrew Singletary of Orangeburg County
• Ashley Werts of Laurens County
• Lucy Whetzel of Greenwood County

Delegates who received $500 educational scholarships and trips to the National 4-H Conference in the Washington, D.C., in April are:

• Lauren Schuster of Lancaster County
• Andrew Singletary of Orangeburg County
• Rachael Stansfield of Lexington County
• Chris Sumpter of Sumter County

The Glen Krohn Volunteer Award winners were Kay Lambert of Berkeley County and Paula Favor of Kershaw County. This award, named for the late Dr. Glen Krohn, retired assistant director of family and youth development, recognizes outstanding volunteer leadership in the 4-H program.

This year’s theme of the Congress, “The 4-H Game Plan: A Clover State of Mind,” emphasized the importance of developing a strong 4-H plan for the organization and for life, said new 4-H State Leader Pamela Ardern.

“Having been a 4-Her as a young person, I can personally relate to the excitement and pride these youth leaders experience as a part of State Congress. They’ve worked hard all year to demonstrate citizenship and leadership in their home communities and Congress gives them the chance to share what they’ve learned and be recognized for making a difference,” said Ardern.

This year delegates used linen and fabric paint to make a United States flag in recognition of the Wounded Warrior Project. The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to empower wounded veterans and raise awareness of the needs of severely injured men and women who serve or have served in the United States military. Ardern said the flag will be sent to a South Carolina National Guard unit serving in Iraq.

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4-H
The 4-H program is one of the oldest and largest aimed at youth development programs. In 2008, the South Carolina 4-H Youth Development Progm celebrated its 100th anniversary. The four “H’s” stand for head, heart, hands and health: the key areas 4-H strives to develop in young people.

In South Carolina, 4-H operates through the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, employing county agents who work closely with state extension specialists and researchers at the various research and education centers located statewide. Agents facilitate youth programs and provide information in a range of topics, including animal agriculture and veterinary science, natural resources and the environment, gardening, leadership and citizenship, personal growth and development, and science, engineering and technology.

The program uses a learn-by-doing approach, involves caring adult volunteers and draws on the knowledge and resources of Clemson University and the land-grant university system to empower youth to become healthy, productive and contributing members of society.