Four finalists await judges’ decision as Arkansas 4-H Governor’s Award marks 40 years

The four 2023 finalists for the Governor’s Award stand with U of Arkansas System President Donald R. Bobbitt and his wife Susan on the stairs of their home. From left, Lani McClure of Pope County; Laven Franklin of Madison County; Jack Berryhill of Hot Spring County, and Ethan Wolcott of Sevier County. The Bobbitts hosted the finalists for lunch. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Mary Hightower)

By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — The Governor’s Award, the highest honor offered by the Arkansas 4-H program, is marking its 40th year as four finalists eagerly await the judges’ decision on who will be named the 2023 winner.

“The award was instituted in 1983 as a way to recognize one outstanding 4-H member each year,” said Shannon Caldwell, director of programs for the Arkansas 4-H Center.

Applicants must be former state record book winners and submit a current record book along with two letters of recommendation. Finalists are selected during record book judging and are interviewed, with the winner being determined at a separate judging event. A record book is a log that describes the work a member has done on a project and is an important part of 4-H.

The winner is announced at the annual State 4-H O-Rama, which starts July 25 this year and is held on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville.

“Each finalist exhibits an impressive scope of ‘making the best better’ through their 4-H work,” Caldwell said. “To quote one of the judges, ‘selecting one winner is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and I’ve made policies’.”

The finalists were recognized at a luncheon hosted by Donald R. Bobbitt, president of the University of Arkansas System, and his wife, Susan, following rounds of interviews with judges.

This year’s finalists are Jack Berryhill of Hot Spring County; Laven Franklin of Madison County; Lani McClure of Pope County and Ethan Wolcott of Sevier County.

Berryhill, 18, is the 2022-23 Arkansas 4-H state president and has represented Arkansas 4-H at the state Farm Bureau Convention and the American Farm Bureau Convention in Puerto Rico. He also facilitated a roundtable at the Southern Regional Teen Leader Conference in Tennessee. Berryhill has held many leadership positions in 4-H, been a Teen Star and state 4-H Ambassador. He was selected for the 4-H National Congress Youth Leadership team, which is responsible for leading all assemblies at the national congress. Berryhill is also a member of the Tech Changemaker program and is frequently seen at 4-H events working as part of the 4-H Video Crew. Berryhill also has an extensive record of community service.

Franklin, 17, has been part of the Arkansas 4-H program for 11 years. He enjoys music theory, plays the piano and guitar and also likes gardening. He has also started a robotics club and soon those simple club STEM projects turned into him fielding a remote-controlled submersible team for the SeaPerch competition. He teaches piano and leads his homeschool robotics club. Among his achievements were being the state 4-H robotics record book winner and his team placed second in the state SeaPerch competition. He spent 2022 learning JavaScript and C++ coding and was taking college trigonometry.

McClure, 18, has been a 4-H member since elementary school. She has served as state Ambassador, National 4-H Congress delegate and said she is ready and willing to encourage and advocate for Arkansas 4-H families. She is always looking for an opportunity to share her 4-H experience and encourage non-4-Hers to get involved. During her time as a national delegate, she spoke to more than 300 schoolchildren in Atlanta about 4-H.

She has used her skills in her main project areas from encouraging individual development in the fine arts, to leading painting workshops and digital art classes. She also organized and led sections of the Pope County 4-H Achievement Banquet in 2022.

Wolcott, 19, started in 4-H when he was 8. Since then, he’s been a Teen Star, 4-H Ambassador and won the Advanced Record Book competition in 2021. Wolcott has championed community service, especially to other youth and families. In 2022, he lent his energies to three new organizations that help families and youth: 100 Families, Breaking the Ties that Bind and You Matter. Over the last two years, Wolcott helped raise more than $72,200 for his community, just in Christmas projects alone. Wolcott was a finalist for the 2022 Governor’s Award and was inducted into the Arkansas 4-H Hall of Fame this year.

Judges for the 2023 Governor’s Award are Christina Breckenridge, Ed.D., chief of staff for the UA System vice president for agriculture; J. J. Pitman, C. A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center director and Desarae Nelson, Ed.D. TRIO Student Support Services director at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.du/. Follow us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Arkansas 4-H honors teen leaders, announces Hall of Fame inductee - Ethan Wolcott of Sevier County

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas 4-H honored some of its best and brightest leaders June 7, inducting its newest member of the Arkansas 4-H Hall of Fame and announcing 54 new Teen Stars who are leaders in their clubs and communities.

INDUCTEE — Ethan Wolcott is the newest member of the Arkansas 4-H Hall of Fame. (Division of Agriculture photo)

The honors were bestowed during the Arkansas 4-H annual Teen Leader Conference that brings together 100 teenagers from across the state to the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center for leadership development this week.

The three-day conference is open to 4-H members ages 14-19 and is designed to help prepare teens for leadership and service responsibilities in their local clubs and counties. In fact, the entire conference is planned and organized by the Arkansas 4-H state officers and 4-H Ambassadors.

“This conference demonstrates the caliber of young leaders we have here in Arkansas,” Arkansas 4-H director Debbie Nistler said. “I’m excited to see what they do in the future as young adult leaders.”

This year’s theme — “Planet Clover” — focuses on creating space for youth to explore ways to develop their leadership skills. The clover is a reference to the 4-H emblem, a four-leaf clover. The youth organized several space-themed activities, including a Flying Saucers cooking challenge, STEM experiments, and a Shooting for the Stars leadership and confidence-building activity.

Hall of Fame

Ethan Wolcott of Sevier County was inducted into the Arkansas 4-H Hall of Fame, an award reserved for one 4-H member who demonstrates high achievement, commitment and service.

Wolcott has been a 4-H member since 2011 and was a Teen Star, a 4-H Ambassador, a 4-H camp counselor and a two-time finalist for the 4-H Governor’s Award. He and his father started the Sevier County Community Changers 4-H Club, which focuses on community service, Wolcott’s passion. Wolcott has participated in food, clothing and disaster relief drives and has developed leadership skills through community service. One summer he conducted a Be Cool Stay Cool Fan Drive, raising enough money to donate 94 fans to senior citizens in his community.

“It’s surreal,” Wolcott said, shortly after receiving the Hall of Fame award. “I want to use this momentum to continue doing what I’ve been doing — helping my community and sharing 4-H with others.”

Wolcott, 19, recently graduated from Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas where he completed an Associate of General Studies. He plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in K-6 education so he can teach history.

Annabelle Ferren of White County was a finalist for the Hall of Fame award. With projects in arts and humanities, she has served as a Teen Star, a 4-H Ambassador and vice president of the Arkansas 4-H officer team. Her community service has involved work with food pantries, animal shelters and Special Olympics.

Teen Stars

Arkansas 4-H recognizes members for outstanding achievement in their projects and activities, leadership and community service with the Teen Star recognition.

This year’s 54 Teen Stars were selected from hundreds of applicants and represent 27 counties. The recognition paves the way for these young people to move into higher positions of leadership as 4-H Ambassadors, who can run for state officer positions. Any Teen Star who is graduating high school can also apply for the $1,000 Zack O. and Jennie D. Jennings Scholarship.

Gracie Goodwin, 15, of Pike County, was enjoying the first day of the conference as a Teen Star.

“I hope to gain leadership skills and knowledge,” she said. “After this, I plan to apply to be an Ambassador.”

Other teens, including Olivia Kossman from Carroll County and Kinslea Fowler, 14, of Prairie County, have already set their sights on running for 4-H state office.

“I’ve been in 4-H for 11 years,” said Kossman, who has animal science projects. “I’ve wanted to be a state officer for a while.”

Other teens were content to listen to speakers and participate in the group activities.

Elijah Gaskin, a member of the Velvet Ridge 4-H Club in White County, has been in 4-H for 10 years and has a public speaking project.

“I’m just here to meet new people and learn to be a better leader,” he said.

This year’s Teen Stars include:

Baxter County — Hannah Dooley

Benton County — Kolby Campbell, Daniel Darnell, Natalie Campen, Emily Jackson, Ramsey Puryear, Caroline Epperson, Brooklyn Luedecke and Hailey Harris

Carroll County — Olivia Kossmann, Jesse Warner and Andrew Rexwinkle

Clark County — Brady Daniell

Columbia County — Dawson Dooly

Faulkner County — Grace Branscum and Joy Garst

Franklin County — Ava McCartney

Garland County — Lara Lowry and Canaan Hunter

Grant County — Gavin McGinley, Gracie McGinley, Callen Shaw, Klaesy Knoefler and Aleecia Lewis

Greene County — Annah Martin

Hempstead County — Kassidy Beasley

Hot Spring County — Rylee Ray, Emma Eubanks, Atlanta Nelson and Jace Ramsey

Howard County — Anna McKinnon

Independence County — James Street and Annaleigh Mead

Little River County — Chelsea Cowan

Logan County — Shawn Hertlein

Madison County — Vallie Yancey

Marion County — Kaylee Cheek and Taylor Henley

Montgomery County — Opal Samons and Sawyer Beggs

Pike County — Gracie Goodwin

Pope County — Shelby Bateman

Prairie County — Kinsea Fowler

Saline County — Ian Price

Sebastian County — Karly Jones, Drake Slate and Mary Dunn

Union County — Alena Senn

Washington County — Alyosha Wood, Hemali Gauri, Rylie Bignar and Mayciee Dawdy

White County — Jonathan Watkins and James Gaskin

To learn about 4-H and other extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Arkansas 4-H awards college scholarships, sponsorships to outstanding youth

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — Years of detailed project work, community service and leadership efforts have paid off for 32 4-H members in the form of college scholarships. 

The Arkansas 4-H Foundation recently awarded $24,000 in college scholarships to youth across Arkansas. Amounts ranged from $500 to $8,000.

“These scholarships directly help our 4-H members continue to excel,” John Thomas, managing director of the Arkansas 4-H Foundation, said. “These would not be possible without generous donors, many of whom are former 4-H members who want to pay it forward for future generations.”

The Arkansas 4-H Foundation has awarded more than $170,000 to 4-H members this year, enabling them to attend summer camps and leadership and citizenship trainings. The foundation also provides sponsorships for more than 40 students with winning record books to attend National 4-H Congress in Atlanta each year, a trip valued at $1,500 per person.

Record books reflect each student’s achievements in leadership, community service and work in their chosen projects. 4-H offers more than 70 projects spanning the arts and humanities, healthy living, civil engagement, animal and plant sciences, engineering and technology.

This year’s scholarship recipients include:

Sue Marshall Scholarship — Abby Frizzell of Johnson County and Kristin Lehmann of Conway County each received $8,000 to pursue collegiate studies in family and consumer sciences.

Ada & Tyrell Anderson Scholarship — Emma Gardner of Washington received the $6,000 scholarship awarded to a 4-H member from Madison or Washington County to attend a college or university in the University of Arkansas System.

Robert D. and Betty F. Oliver Scholarship — Jordan Thomas of Pulaski County, $4,000.

Rick and Lynette Cartwright Scholarship — Alec Frachiseur of Sevier County, $3,500.

Raydus Ree and Virginia Williams James Scholarship — Weston Penny of Washington County, $3,500.

C.A and Joye Vines Scholarship — Kallyn Sossamon of Saline County, $1,000.

Farm Credit Cooperatives Scholarship — Hannah Riggan of Hot Spring County and Alex Trombley of Howard County each received $1,000 to pursue an agriculture-related course of study in college.

Dennis R. Millard Memorial Scholarship — Savannah Barrentine of Grant County received the $1,000 award, which recognizes a person who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, community service and mentoring of other 4-H members.

Rotary Club of Fayetteville and Dale Killian Scholarship — Janna Morse of Washington County received the $1,000 scholarship, which is awarded to a Washington County student enrolling at the University of Arkansas.

Gladys Klepfer/ Bo & Peggy Cobb Scholarship — Rob Phillips of Arkansas County and Savannah Loving of Johnson County each received a $1,000 scholarship, which is awarded to members who have served as volunteer camp counselors at the Arkansas 4-H Center.

John W. White Scholarship — Erin Holland of Van Buren County received a $1,000 award to pursue agriculture or human environmental sciences at the University of Arkansas.

Zack O. and Jennie D. Jennings Scholarship — Annabelle Ferren of White County received the $1,000 award for outstanding leadership.

Division of Agriculture Livestock Scholarships

Ethan Wolcott, Hunter Frachiseur and Madison Bagley, all of Sevier County, each received $1,000. The scholarships are awarded to youth who have exhibited livestock at the Arkansas State Fair and Livestock Show within the past year and who plan to pursue an agriculture-related major in college.

Oaklawn Jockey Scholarships — $625 each
Rylee Kelley, Searcy County.
Riley Pearce, Faulkner County.
Mollie Leonard, Van Buren County.
Caylee Turner, Little River County.

Larry Sandage Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council Scholarship — Grace Rutherford of Clark County received the $500 scholarship to a pursue studies related to a career in forage, grass or the cattle industry.

Regions Bank Scholarship — Emmarie Savell, Izard County, $500.

Raymond Cox Scholarship — James Daniell of Clark County, Tayte Christensen of Benton County and Magon James of Arkansas County, each received $500 for outstanding 4-H work.

Maeda Asbell Scholarship — Josalyn Allbritton of Chicot County received $400 for outstanding 4-H work.

For more information about 4-H, visit https://4h.uada.edu/. To learn more about other extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @AR_Extension.

Janna Morse 2022 Arkansas 4-H Governor's Award; Ethan Wolcott of Sevier County was a Finalist

GOVERNOR'S AWARD — Janna Morse, center in white jacket, was named the 2022 Arkansas Governors' Award winner in a ceremony July 27, 2022, in Fayetteville. The award is highest given in the Arkansas 4-H program. From left to right: John Thomas, managing director of the Arkansas 4-H Foundation, Deacue Fields, vice president of agriculture for the UA System; Darlene Baker, 4-H Foundation Board member; Morse; Angie Freel, director of Arkansas 4-H; and Bob Scott, head of the Cooperative Extension Service. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Ryan McGeeney)

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  — Janna Morse’s service to others took root in Washington County more than a decade ago and has since expanded far beyond Arkansas’ borders. On Wednesday, the West Fork teen received the 2022 Arkansas 4-H Governor’s Award, the highest honor an Arkansas 4-H member can receive.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Morse, 18, as the winner on July 27 in a recorded message played during the Arkansas 4-H Awards of Excellence ceremony at the University of Arkansas, where more than 300 4-H members from across the state are competing in statewide events.

Magon James, 17, of Arkansas County, and Ethan Wolcott of Sevier County also were finalists for the Governor’s Award.

“This award is given to the individual who best embodies the 4-H spirit,” Hutchinson said. “The three finalists have shown a drive for success, and today we honor them. I’m proud of all three for their commitment to 4-H and their representation of our state.”

The Governor’s Award, started in 1983, is available to former state 4-H record book winners. Applicants are judged based on their project record books, their application and an interview.

Morse, a member of Washington County 4-H, has excelled in her food and nutrition project with a focus on combating food insecurity and hunger. She has represented Arkansas 4-H at the 4-H Healthy Habits Conference and the National 4-H Healthy Living Summit, both in Washington, D.C., as well as at National 4-H Congress in Atlanta.

A self-described “shy child,” Morse said 4-H has taught her to step outside her comfort zone.

“4-H has given me a foundation of confidence and made me an avid goal-setter,” she said.

In Washington County, Morse has shared her diverse American, Asian and Hispanic heritage through food. When the Fayetteville-based M & N Augustine Foundation had to cancel its international food fundraiser due to COVID-19, Morse marketed Eastern cuisines, helping the nonprofit exceed its fundraising goal. She continues to work with the nonprofit, which assists people affected by catastrophic loss.

Morse also created a teen community service group that raised $600 for the Salvation Army, packed 180 meals for the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, and gathered and distributed feminine products to 100 local women in need. 

Morse’s work extends well beyond Arkansas wherever she sees a need. After Sri Lanka experienced its deadliest day of terrorism, Morse organized a wound care supply drive that collected 70 pounds of medical supplies that were sent to Sri Lanka’s National Hospital. Her service group also sent supplies to a rural school in Sri Lanka and made puppets for children in Honduras.

This fall, Morse will attend the University of Arkansas to study international and global relations, with an emphasis on peace, security and human rights. One day, she said she hopes to have a career as a foreign service officer. Her parents are James Morse and Palika Dias-Morse.

Morse received a $3,000 scholarship, an engraved silver tray, and her name will be added to a plaque on permanent display at the C. A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center. The other finalists each received a $1,000 scholarship and an engraved silver bowl. Both are longtime 4-H member with extensive achievements.

Magon James

Magon James, 18, of Arkansas County showed livestock at the county, district and state levels before switching her project to fashion. She competes in national scholarship pageants and modifies clothing to create one-of-a kind designs. Earlier this year, she was selected to be a runway model at New York Fashion Week to model CharJean Couture. Through her project, she learned to sew and design and has made numerous dolls, pillows and other items for hospital and nursing home patients.

While fashion is her main project, James remains passionate about animals and volunteers with Passionate Paws, a nonprofit that helps abandoned animals. She plans to attend veterinary school and one day have her own veterinary practice with a rescue center for cats and dogs.

Ethan Wolcott

Ethan Wolcott, 18, Sevier County, has been a 4-H member for nine years. He initially had a livestock project but switched his project to leadership and community service, which quickly became his passion — so much that he started the Sevier County Community Changers 4-H Club, which focuses on community service. Wolcott is the club president and looks for ways to serve. Last year, he raised money to buy fans for Sevier County residents without air-conditioning. He’s also organized Santa for Seniors and been involved with numerous food drives, disaster relief and clothing drives.

4-H is the premier youth development program of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service. Programs are offered in every county in Arkansas. To learn more about 4-H, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension.