Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County is pleased to announce the 2015 4-H Teen Council Scholarship Recipients. The 4-H Teen Council Scholarship is a very special award. There is an extensive application which includes the candidates’ 4-H experiences and accomplishments on local, county, state, and national levels and how these experiences relate to their personal development. Additionally, a narrative is required in which applicants explain educational goals and how 4-H has prepared them to achieve these goals. We would like to congratulate the following recipients.
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Justin Gaines of Hoosick Falls is the son of Ben Gaines and Callie Powers-Gaines. Justin has been an active member of 4-H in Rensselaer County for the past 11 years and is the recipient of the $1,000 4-H Teen Council Scholarship. He has been involved in a wide range of 4-H project areas; general interest projects, shooting sports, equine, cattle and much more. He has been active on the county, district, and state levels and truly taken on leadership rolls. Justin participated on the New York State Horse Education Committee to inform the state board on events and activities in our region, he took on a 1 year project as an Animal Ambassador to inform the public on the farm to table concept, and has been active on our 4-H Program Development Committee so our members have a voice around the table. Justin is a very motivated individual and his strong work ethic will leave an impact on our 4-H program. Justin will be attending Siena this fall.
Tanner Reed of Averill Park is the son of Frank and Martha Reed has been an active member of 4-H for the past 13 years. He is the recipient of a $500 Teen Council Scholarship. In the past Tanner was a member of the Four Seasons Fun Club until it disbanded; since then he has been an active Independent Member and participant in the Teen Ambassador Club. Tanner has been very involved with community service projects; he has collected mittens for the mitten tree, planted daffodils around his community, and was part of many other community events and efforts. Tanner has also taken on many leadership rolls on the local and state levels. When teens are involved you can always find Tanner; he truly understands the importance of teens mentoring younger 4-H members and has been a teen evaluator at County Presentations and Winter Fairs, helped Teen Council with Pre-Teen Fun Day and the Auction. Tanner is the face of Rensselaer County 4-H at many events. Tanner will attend Onondaga Community College this fall.
George Lamb of Buskirk is the son of Terry and Christina Lamb. He has been an active member of 4-H for the last 12 years and is the recipient of a $500 Teen Council Scholarship. George is very active in the Dairy Cattle Program, he is very knowledgeable and takes opportunities to participate in personal development events and trips. He has participated in showing his dairy cows, dairy judging, dairy challenge and was a delegate to the National 4-H Dairy Conference. George has definitely made his mark in the Dairy Bowl arena and as a member and captain he will be competing in the National 4-H Dairy Bowl Contest again this fall. We have truly seen George grow into a leader; he is comfortable addressing a group of peers and adults, he has led his Dairy Bowl teams to higher competition, and he feels it is his responsibility to help younger members feel like they belong and give them tips on how to safely and effectively show a cow. He is truly a role-model. George will attend SUNY Cobleskill this fall.
All three of these gentlemen could be the ‘poster children’ of 4-H. Our goals are to inspire others, take the lead on projects, set and achieve goals with confidence. All three are very deserving. Congratulations Justin, Tanner and George! [/private]