Released: June 01, 2001

State Winners Earn Trip to National 4-H Congress

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Attending National 4-H Congress often is the highlight of a 4-Hers career. Many who have the opportunity to attend later say that the trip is one of the highlights of their life, said Steve Fisher, Kansas State University Research and Extension state 4-H youth development specialist.

The privilege of attending is, however, one that has to be earned. To be eligible, a 4-Her must earn a state project award by demonstrating leadership, citizenship and skill-building in a project of their choice. 4-Hers are able to attend the national event only once during their 4-H career, Fisher said.

Project winners received a $200 travel award from the Kansas 4-H Foundation, but must raise the balance of their expenses. The experience is well worth it, said previous award winners, who say it offered them the opportunity to meet members from other states; participate in personal development skill-building sessions; and learn more about the cultural highlights of Atlanta.

State project award winners honored at the Emerald Circle Scholarship & Awards Banquet May 31 in Manhattan, in alphabetical order by their home county, are:

Chase County: Kyla Scott, Sheep (Award donated by the Kansas 4-H Foundation.);

Cheyenne County: Adam Jones, Public Speaking (Award donated by the Kansas Association of Teachers of English.);

Dickinson County: Kevin Morgan, Wildlife (Award donated by the Kansas 4-H Foundation.);

Douglas County: Mark Flory, Swine (Award donated by the Kansas Pork Producers Council.);

Finney County: Kirby Fryman, Photography (Award donated by the Kansas 4-H Foundation.);

Ford County: CandiSu Copeland, Arts and Crafts (Award donated by the Reid Foundation.);

Franklin County: Whitney Coen, Dairy (Award donated by the Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.);

Haskell County: Travis Gillespie, Wood Science (Award donated by Star Lumber and Supply.);

Jefferson County: Kabel Robbins, Poultry (Award donated by the Kansas Poultry Association and Barr’s Poultry.);

Johnson County: Rachele Davis, Leadership (Award donated by the Kansas 4-H Foundation.); Ryan Davis, Bicycle (Award donated by The Pathfinder.); Paul Lampe, Electric (Award donated by the Kansas 4-H Foundation.); Jeff Pio, Self-Determined (Project focused on curing ham; the award was donated by Dillons Food Stores of Kansas.);

Labette County: Shawn Allison, Recreation (Award donated by the Kansas 4-H Foundation.);

McPherson County: Katie Dillon, Dog (Award donated by the Kansas 4-H Foundation.); Krista Larson, Horse (Award donated by the Kansas 4-H Foundation.); Michael Vogt, Rocketry (Award donated by The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, Soap Division.);

Neosho County: Erin Henthorne, Geology (Award donated by the Kansas Independent Oil & Gas Association.);

Osage County: Chelsea Richmond, Citizenship (Award donated by Farmland Industries.);

Pawnee County: Jeffrey Reece, Shooting Sports (Award donated by the NRA.);

Saline County: Heather Baumberger, Foods and Nutrition (Award donated by Dillons Food Stores.); Jerilynn Beckman, Pets (Award donated by Dillons Food Stores.); Caleb Garten, Reading (Award donated by Tom and Mariellen Appleby.); Jenna Newcomer, Crochet (Award donated by the Reid Foundation.); Dustin Wiegert, Rabbit (Award donated by the Kansas State Rabbit Breeders Association.);

Scott County: Holly Helmers, Clothing (Award donated by the Kansas 4-H Foundation.);

Shawnee County: Christy Collingham, Plant Science (Award donated by Duckwall-Alco Stores, Inc.);

Stafford County: Stacey Fischer, Beef (Award donated by the Kansas Beef Council.); and

Wyandotte County: Jennifer Graham, Family Studies (Award donated by Dillons Food Stores of Kansas).

For more information on educational 4-H programs open to Kansans age seven and up, interested persons may contact the local K-State Research and Extension office.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson, Communications Specialist
npeterso@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News