Stacie Skelton named to 2020 4-H Hall of Fame

 

[August 21, 2020] 

Service is a hallmark of the Illinois 4-H program. The Illinois 4-H Foundation annually honors longtime volunteers and former staff members for their selfless dedication to 4-H, the University of Illinois Extension youth development program.

In 2020, 86 individuals received the Foundation Hall of Fame Award, presented during a virtual ceremony Aug. 18.

The Illinois 4-H Foundation established the statewide Hall of Fame in2005 to honor and celebrate extraordinary 4-H alumni, volunteers, and former 4-H staff. Each inductee receives a commemorative Hall of Fame medallion.

“These volunteers fully embody what 4-H strives to instill in youth,” says Angie Barnard, Illinois 4-H Foundation executive director. “They are caring, dedicated, generous leaders, and the Illinois 4-H Foundation is extremely proud to be able to provide this honor to thank them for their service to this wonderful organization.

Included in the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame Class of 2020 was Stacie Skelton from Logan County who served as the Logan County 4-H Foods and Home & Family Show Superintendent for many years. Patty Huffer, Extension Program coordinator for Youth Development in Logan County, stated in Skelton’s nomination “We are so thankful for Stacie and her commitment to being a terrific superintendent. She is a dependable, reliable, and cheerful person who made several improvements to our show process throughout the years and kept show days running very smoothly. Her thoroughness and detail oriented style always made for a pleasant show day experience for both staff and exhibitors. Stacie also served as a past member of our Expansion & Review committee where she contributed suggestions on ways to promote our 4-H program during our annual county Fair week which were successfully implemented. In addition, she was a member of our Unit 4-H Records Revision committee and gave valuable input on ways to redesign the 4-H records used in our local unit. Stacie has also given significant time as a ‘4-H Mom’ to the local 4-H club her children were involved in for many years. Stacie, as well as her three children (who are also now alumni), were always at the forefront of helping to lead volunteer community service efforts the 4-H club implemented. We are so happy to have volunteers like Stacie helping to encourage 4-H members as well as assisting in promoting, improving & implementing a quality Logan County 4-H program! Congratulation to Stacie!”

“Many volunteers have a tradition of 4-H in their family or were 4-H members themselves,” Barnard says. “More and more, though, adults brand new to the 4-H experience are seeing the value of the life skills development program and volunteering for the first time.”

To volunteer with the Logan County 4-H program, one may request information from the Logan County Extension Office, 732-8289. There is a place for everyone in 4-H, whether you have an hour or a lifetime to give,” Barnard says.

“The Foundation provides avenues to support the work of Illinois 4-H by accepting financial gifts specifically directed to the program you wish to support,” Barnard said. “Estate planning services are available to those wishing to continue their 4-H legacy.”

The Illinois 4-H Foundation raises private funds that are invested in Illinois 4-H programs that provide meaningful, positive development experiences for Illinois youth to develop leadership, citizenship, and life skills. To learn more, visit: 4hfoundation.illinois.edu.

About 4-H: Illinois 4-H empowers and prepares Illinois youth for success. University of Illinois Extension provides 4-H programs in every county in Illinois, affecting the lives of 200,000 youth each year through sustained learning clubs, groups and short-term programming.

[Patty Huffer
Extension Program Coordinator/4-H Youth Development
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION]