Colorado State University supports 4-H’ers through scholarships
Contact for reporters:
Joanne Littlefield
970.491.4640
joanne.littlefield@colostate.edu
The Colorado 4-H Foundation announced the recipients of 51 college scholarships for the 2017 academic year. Twenty-two scholarships have been provided directly by Colorado State University and provide financial support to 4-H members as they pursue a college degree.
In addition to other scholarships, 22 students from around the state received $1,000 foundation scholarships for their use as a freshman at Colorado State University. 4-H members who received scholarships for the 2017-2018 academic year were recognized at the State 4-H Conference Awards breakfast, Thursday, June 22, on the Colorado State University Campus.
“The most important experience in being a member of 4-H has been the relationships I developed with my fellow 4-H members, adult leaders, and volunteers,” said Ryle MacLaughlin. “Their encouragement has taught me to take chances, trust my own decisions, and pursue my goals.” MacLaughlin, a 2017 CSU scholarship recipient, will be majoring in biology, with the goal to work in the health care field.
The students’ intended majors range from civil engineering, wildlife biology, agricultural education, and biochemistry to electrical and mechanical engineering, hospitality management, and animal sciences and genetics.
“Colorado 4-Her’s learn the value of education through their time and experiences in the Colorado 4-H program. We are thrilled when they decide to make CSU their choice for higher education,” said Kathay Rennels, Assistant Vice President in CSU’s Office of Engagement. “The awarding of the $1,000 scholarships to our 4-Her’s supports them and our land grant mission.”
CSU Extension Peaks and Plains region
Alaina Akey, Wray
Tyler Camblin, Holyoke
Jarrett Schirmer, Pueblo West.
Alaina Akey also received the Kimberling FFA scholarship for $1,000.
CSU Extension Western Region:
Monique Archibeque and Tyler O’Donnell, Olathe
Tabitha Lindahl, Gunnison,
Jacey Murphy, Kremmling,
Rylie MacLaughlin, Silt
Aerica Melby, Glenwood Springs
CSU Extension Front Range Region:
Kaitlyn Carson, Valerie Crouse, and Ashley Schilling, Fort Collins
Olivia Brandt, Colorado Springs (who also received the Colorado Rural Rehabilitation Corporation Scholarship for $1000),
Jarred Bland, Colorado Springs
Anderson Worcester, Castle Rock,
Kolby Moore, Gill
Lauren Thompson, Lakewood
Taryn Santeramo, Johnstown
Elizabeth Sage, Parker,
Diana Litzenberger, Mead
Benjamin Morrow, Lafayette
Renee Alderman, Larkspur
Morgan Litchford, Loveland
“Beyond tangible skills I learned from my experiences in 4-H, I have also gained many personal skills,” said Weld County 4-Her Kolby Moore. “All of these facets (speaking, interaction, converse, analytical, etc.) combine to make me as prepared as possible for college and the rest of my future.” Moore, a 2017 CSU scholarship recipient, is majoring in biomedical sciences.
In addition to the freshman scholarships, this year CSU provided four $1,000 scholarships for transfer students. These include Shelbylynne Enke, Wellington, Valerie Crouse, Fort Collins and Tia Konig, Briggsdale, and Randilyn Madison, Montrose.
4-H teaches many life skills through experiential learning. “I believe the most important ones would be hard work and dedication,” said Larimer County 4-H member Bailey Schilling, a transfer student, and 2017 CSU scholarship recipient. “By being involved in each step of raising an animal you gain more knowledge…and realize the job opportunities in the field of agriculture.”
“4-H has taught me to try things and find your passion as you help others find theirs,” said 2017 CSU scholarship recipient and transfer student Valerie Crouse, majoring in agriculture business and biology. “It’s about the relationships we make with other people and how to lift each other up to become successful.”
The Colorado 4-H Foundation provides additional scholarships for the 2017 academic year.
“The Colorado 4-H Foundation awards annual scholarships through a competitive application and review process,” said Gary Small, Colorado 4-H Foundation Executive Director. “When the Colorado 4-H Foundation was established in 1952, the mission to solicit and disburse financial resources has been captured in the scholarship process, and to stimulate 4-Hers to pursue their higher education goals.”
Close to 400 high school-aged 4-Hers spend time each year on the CSU campus in Fort Collins. In addition to the many presentations and competitions where they present on various topics, they participate in, they make new friends, bond over shared interests, step into leadership roles, and get a taste of life living for several days in CSU residence halls. This year included tours of many campus facilities, including the equine center, animal science labs, and the campus human nutrition center.
The timing of the annual event precedes local county fairs when the students will again present their best work for judging.
For more information, visit co4hfoundation.extension.colostate.edu.
Photos are available at Colorado 4-H Youth Development Flickr site.
About 4-H
Colorado 4-H Youth Development is a diverse program aimed at meeting the needs of young people through hands-on learning. Through a wide variety of programs guided by adult volunteers, Colorado Youth can stimulate their creativity, build self-confidence and learn life and decision-making skills.
Currently, more than 113,000 youth throughout Colorado are enrolled in 4-H Youth Development programs annually. Youth participate in organized 4-H clubs, special interest short term program, school enrichment programs, and individuals studies. The Colorado 4-H Youth Development program offers learn-by-doing activities in projects such as rocketry, photography, child development, electronic, international exchanges, raising livestock and training dogs, just to name a few. The 4-H program educational focus is on healthy lifestyles, citizenship (youth in governance, community service, and leadership) and also on Science, Engineering and Technology. 4-H ranges from natural resources and environmental stewardship to food science and nutrition – all using research-based knowledge from the land-grant university system. Because of the variety of programs, Colorado 4-H Youth Development reaches a diverse population of Colorado’s youth.