Eleven youth have been named as recipients of scholarships through the annual Adams County 4-H Scholarship Program. They were selected for the scholarships by a subcommittee of the Adams County 4-H Advisory Committee as a result of interviews conducted on March 9.
Scholarship criteria include an application and interview. Recipients must have been members of Adams County 4-H for a minimum of four years, including the current and immediate past year, and they must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher. Scholarships may be used at any accredited college or post-secondary training program.
Courtney Smart (C. J.), West Fork Wonders 4-H Club and Peebles High School, is the recipient of this year’s Matt Baker Memorial 4-H Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. The scholarship is sponsored by the Baker family in memory of their son, Matt, who lost in life in a traffic accident some years ago. C. J. is the daughter of Jane and Kevin Smart of Peebles. In addition to her 12 years of 4-H membership, C. J. is also an active FFA member. She is planning to attend Morehead University in their pre-veterinarian program.
Five members earned scholarships sponsored by the Adams County 4-H Advisory Committee. They are:
Jace Howard, $700, Lucky Charms 4-H Club and Manchester High School. Jace is the son of Jerry Creamer and Amanda Dillow of Stout. Jace is a 13-year 4-H member and a member of the Adams County Junior Fair Board. He plans to major in physics at Miami University.
India Bradford, $500, East Tiffin Aggies 4-H Club, home-schooled. India is the daughter of Michael and Linda Bradford of West Union. She is an eight-year 4-H member and a past member of the Adams County Junior Fair Board. She plans to attend the Maysville Career and Technical College, majoring in culinary arts, with an eye toward becoming a pastry chef.
Jordan Crum, $500, Good Better Best 4-H Club and Peebles High School. Jordan is the daughter of Jamie and Angela Crum of Peebles. She is a 10-year 4-H member, a four-year FFA member, and a member of the Adams County Junior Fair Board. Jordan plans to major in ag business/ag education at The Ohio State University.
Sarah McFarland, $500, Cannon Hill Kids 4-H Club and Peebles High School. Sarah is the daughter of Steven and Susan McFarland of Peebles. Sarah is a 10-year member of 4-H and a four-year member of FFA. She hopes to become a teacher and will attend Shawnee State University, majoring in early childhood education.
Andrew Weeks, $500, Blazing Saddles 4-H Club and West Union High School. Andrew is the son of Lynn and Julie Weeks of West Union. He is a 10-year 4-H member and a three-year member of FFA. He plans to attend Mount St. Joseph University and will major in physical therapy.
Five additional members are each recipients of a $500 Chad Downing Memorial 4-H Scholarship. These awards are sponsored by the Downing family in memory of their son and brother, Chad. Scholarship winners for 2017 include:
Lee Hesler, Unity Farmers 4-H Club and North Adams High School. Lee is the son of Dustin and Carrie Hesler of Winchester. He is a 12-year 4-H member and a four-year member of FFA. He plans to major in agriculture science and agriculture business at Wilmington College.
Josie McDowell, Good Better Best 4-H Club, North Adams High School, and the Ohio Valley Career and Technical Center. Josie is the daughter of Chad and Renee McDowell. She is a 10-year 4-H member, a four-year FFA member, and a member of the Adams County Junior Fair Board. She plans to pursue a career as a high school agriculture education teacher, and she will begin her studies this fall at The Ohio State University.
Erin Newman, Country Crew 4-H Club and North Adams High School. Erin is the daughter of Eric and Maria Newman of Seaman. She is a 10-year member of 4-H and belonged to FFA for two years. She is also a member of the Adams County Junior Fair Board. Erin hopes to become a teacher and plans to study early childhood education at Shawnee State University.
Madelyn Toole, Adams County Junior Dairymen 4-H Club and North Adams High School. Madelyn is the daughter of Eric and Lisa Toole of Seaman. Madelyn is also a 10-year 4-H member. She plans to major in journalism and has been accepted at Miami University.
Caitlin Young, Unity Farmers 4-H Club and North Adams High School. Caitlin is the daughter of Chris and Marla Young of Seaman. She is a 10-year 4-H member, belonged to FFA for one year, and is a member of the Adams County Junior Fair Board. Caitlin wants to be a pharmacist and plans to begin her studies at Marshall University in the fall.
All of these members are to be commended for their active involvement in 4-H and related programs throughout the years, for their academic achievements, and for their community involvement. All are wished every success as they work strive to achieve their academic and career goals.