Logan County 4-H members earn state scholarships

 

[April 12, 2023] 

The career achievements of Illinois 4-H members were lauded at the Illinois 4-H Celebration of Excellence held April 1 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Champaign. Forty-five young adults were chosen as scholarship winners with each winner receiving a $1,000 scholarship from the Illinois 4-H Foundation. The scholarships are awarded to five Illinois 4-H members in each of nine focus categories and are based on merit and a demonstrated standard of 4-H excellence.

Haven Henry and Sophia Schneider, both of Logan County, were selected as winners in the Creative and Performing Arts and Communications category, which recognizes youth who have focused their 4-H work on the arts and the art of communicating with others.

“4-H has encouraged me to face my fears and has helped me grow in my character, integrity and leadership,” said Henry in her application. “All of these lessons, new understandings and passions about our amazing world will greatly affect how I live.”

Scholarship support allows students to continue to follow their learning pathways for post-secondary education.

Henry is currently enrolled at Heartland Community College with the goal of going into the field of Medial Assisting and Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Schneider plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign at the Gies College of Business.

The Illinois 4-H scholarship program is supported through private donors and the Illinois 4-H Foundation.

“I personally look forward to the event every year,” says Illinois 4-H Foundation board member Jenny Webb of McLean County. “It is so energizing to see amazing youth in this room and what they are accomplishing.”

“The Illinois 4-H Foundation works hand-in-hand with the statewide program, and our sole mission is to be able to provide private funding so that 4-H can do more,” says Webb. “We know that 4-H programming is leading the way nationally in a variety of ways, and we are so grateful for our donors’ support.”

The ceremony program is available on the Illinois 4-H website.

[Amy Zepp, 4-H Program Coordinator, Sangamon County]