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Former 4-H members, volunteer leaders earn state awardsKansas A senior computer programmer, a horticulture services provider and a former bank trust officer have each received a 2008 Kansas 4-H Alumni Award, said Gary Gerhard, Kansas State University professor of 4-H youth development. Recipients of the 2008 awards--John Reynolds of Topeka, Judy (Staley) Stitt of Clay Center, and W. Kay Voorhees from LaCygne--were honored at the Emerald Circle Banquet June 5 in Manhattan, said Gerhard, who was the chair person for the awards program. The annual awards program was sponsored by the Kansas 4-H Foundation, and award recipients were selected through a nomination process, said Gerhard, who offered the following information about the 2008 recipients: Judy (Staley) Stitt, has served as a club leader for the Washington Headliners 4-H Club for 17 years and was nominated for the alumni award by representatives of the River Valley Extension District. Stitt has been praised for dependable leadership and a practical approach in working with 4-H youth development programs, said Greg McClure, former Clay County K-State Research and Extension agent who worked with the award winner for 15 years. "She is one of those 'go to' people who, in addition to club leadership, also has worked to help prepare the county's horticulture judging teams for state competition," said McClure, who noted that Stitt also has organized and sponsored several educational 4-H exchange trips. In supporting Stitt's nomination for the award, Lucas Shivers, a former member of the 4-H club Stitt helped to lead, credited the leader with nurturing integrity, natural curiosity and a servant's heart. He wrote: "My 10-plus years with the Washington Headliners 4-H Club enhanced my motives for personal and professional growth, as well as my interest in serving the youth of tomorrow." Shivers also noted that Stitt, who works for the Bergstrom Greenhouse in Clay Center, shared her expertise in--and passion for--horticulture with field trips, greenhouse visits, and local judging events in addition to helping 4-H members prepare for county and Kansas State Fair horticulture judging events. Stitt was active in Clay County 4-H and, as a 4-H'er, earned the county award for citizenship. She earned the Clay County 4-H Alumna Award in 2007. John Reynolds, the award recipient from Shawnee County, is a former Osborne County 4-H member. During his 4-H career, Reynolds earned county awards in beef, crops, and junior leadership. He also served as an officer and junior leader in both the Belleview Rockets 4-H Club and Natoma Eager Beavers 4-H Club, and as a national conference delegate for Kansas. Reynolds is a senior computer programmer in information services for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and a former veterinarian. Why a 4-H volunteer? "4-H has helped to bridge the generations for our family by giving us a chance to develop common interests and to explore new things together," Reynolds said. Involvement in the 4-H rabbit project opened a new channel for communications with his 12-year-old stepson in 1988, he said. "Jim is grown and on his own, but is always exploring new things," said Reynolds, who has served Shawnee County 4-H programs as a volunteer project and community leader, as president and treasurer for the adult 4-H Events Council, and as a resource for the 4-H veterinary project. Reynolds, a perennial volunteer who credits public speaking and leadership skills that he learned in 4-H with making a difference in his life, is a willing worker dedicated to helping other youth grow and develop, said Leroy Russell, K-State Research and Extension 4-H youth development agent in Shawnee County, who nominated Reynolds. W. Kay Voorhees was the award recipient from Miami County. Voorhees joined 4-H in Jackson County, Mich., and chose projects that ranged from clothing and knitting to plant science and home environment. She and her brother Roger once were selected to perform a gymnastics routine at the Michigan State Fair. After winding up her 4-H eligibility, Voorhees focused on earning a degree (in English, with a minor in chemistry) at the University of Michigan and building a career. Although her 4-H experiences seemed behind her, when Voorhees began working in the trust industry, she realized that the public speaking and teaching skills that she had learned in 4-H were an asset in business. "With or without a college degree, employees who had been 4-H members often understood her sense of purpose, knew how to work, and could be counted on to complete an assignment," said Voorhees, who has focused much of her career on managing trusts and estates. The former 4-H'er reconnected with 4-H in Miami County, Kan., when her son David began enrolling in 4-H projects, and has since volunteered as a club leader, resource person, grant writer and mentor, said Crystal Coffman, K-State Research and Extension 4-H agent in the county who nominated Voorhees for the alumni award. Voorhees has made the knowledge and skills learned through coaching her son, David, available to other youth in an effort to help them improve their projects and record keeping skills, and develop their leadership potential, Coffman said. In mentoring youth, she also has helped students identify scholarships and develop successful applications, said Coffman, who noted that Voorhees has helped to write grants that yielded more than $20,000 for youth programs in the county and has served as president and treasurer of the Miami County 4-H Foundation. In presenting the 2008 alumni awards, Gordon Hibbard, president of the Kansas 4-H Foundation, expressed gratitude for the recipients' willingness to give back to their community: "The success of 4-H is hinged on the strength of adult volunteers. We are fortunate in Kansas to have outstanding individuals who are willing to give so generously of their time and talents." More information on the 4-H award program is available by contacting Gary Gerhard in the state 4-H office at 785-532-5800. More information about educational opportunities with 4-H youth development programs is available at county and district K.-State Research and Extension offices and on the 4-H website at www.kansas4h.org.
Date: 7/10/08 Advertisement
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