Three Washington County youth earn 4-H scholarships

More than 85 Iowa 4-H scholarships valued at over $127,000 were awarded as a part of the Iowa 4-H Foundation’s scholarship recognition ceremony on Sunday, July 11, in the Scheman Building at Iowa State University.

More than 300 applications were submitted and scholarships have been awarded to recipients from 49 counties across the state of Iowa with a wide variety of 4-H experiences.

“Iowa 4-H Foundation scholarships acknowledge the hard work and dedication of young people who have used their 4-H skills and experiences to ‘make the best better’ for others,” said Emily Saveraid, Executive Director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation. “We also are thankful for the many scholarship donors who fund these important opportunities for Iowa 4-H’ers.”

Three area students won scholarships: Taylor Brinning, Roy Carter and Franchesca Johnson.

Taylor Brinning

Taylor Brinning of Washington County was awarded the Kris Fish Kuhlmann 4-H Legacy Scholarship. Taylor is the daughter of Shane and Kathleen Brinning.

Brinning has been involved in many different facets of 4-H, ranging from holding leadership roles to showing livestock. Through 4-H, Brinning has discovered her love for working with youth, and will pursue this passion through studying elementary education at Iowa State University. Brinning also believes that 4-H has equipped her with skills essential to future success, including communication abilities and a dedication to serving others.

“4-H has been an essential factor in helping me to decide on my future plans,” said Brinning. “I was able to explore and ‘test the waters’ of working with youth through 4-H, and I am now so grateful for those experiences.”

The Kris Fish Kuhlmann 4-H Legacy Scholarship is for a former Iowa 4-H member to whom 4-H has significantly impacted their life and career direction. Applicants should be completing their ninth year in 4-H, in any county in Iowa.

Applicants should be graduating high school seniors or incoming freshmen attending any college or university with any major in the state of Iowa.

Roy Carter

Roy Carter of Washington County was awarded the Orscheln 4-H Scholarship through the Iowa 4-H Foundation. Carter is the son of John and Kimberly Carter. Carter currently serves on the state 4-H youth council, allowing him to play a role in planning the state 4-H youth conference which he has attended multiple years.

This time spent on Iowa State’s campus prompted Carter to pursue agricultural business at Iowa State University. Carter also credits 4-H for equipping him with leadership and life skills which will benefit him in the future.

“4-H teaches us to be better citizens, leaders, communicators, and to dare to push ourselves to be the best we can be,” said Carter. “From a very young age, my 4-H experiences have guided me to be involved and have taught me life lessons that apply to all aspects of my life.”

This scholarship is awarded to an applicant who will be a freshman in the next academic year and is either attending ISU’s College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (four-year program) or any Iowa four-year college or university with a major in a family and consumer sciences field of study. Eligible applicants must have been active in 4-H during their four years of high school, be of good character, and exhibit leadership potential. Awardees must be residents of Orscheln Farm & Home trade area counties including: Appanoose, Boone, Cass, Dallas, Guthrie, Henry, Jefferson, Johnson, Linn, Mahaska, Montgomery, Muscatine, Page, Wapello, and Washington county.

Franchesca Johnson

Franchesca Johnson of Washington County was awarded the Persinger-Asmus-Ferrin 4-H Scholarship through the Iowa 4-H Foundation. Franchesca Johnson is the daughter of Noland and Melia Johnson.

Johnson is attending Iowa State University to study communications and public relations. She credits 4-H with helping her identify her chosen career path as she participated in the communications project area and prepared educational presentations. Through community service activities, Johnson has also identified her passion for helping others, and aims to one day work for a non-profit organization.

“As I entered college, 4-H gave me the confidence to know I had chosen the right major and to continue pursuing leadership roles,” said Johnson. “4-H has played a large role in helping me to determine my passions, values and future goals, which is something I will forever be thankful for.”

The Persinger, Asmus and Ferrin families provide this scholarship to students who have demonstrated participation in leadership, citizenship and/or communications in 4-H. Applicants must be college sophomores, juniors, or seniors attending ISU or UNI, and must be pursuing any field of study other than agriculture.

The Iowa 4-H Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides the private financial resources to develop and deliver quality 4-H youth programs throughout the state of Iowa. These opportunities help young people enhance their ability to use critical thinking, leadership, communication, and social skills – tools that will give them a competitive edge in their future endeavors.

For more information, visit www.iowa4hfoundation.org.