Merrill Wrenn, a senior at Averill Park High School and daughter of Jessica Zweig and Peter Wrenn of Poestenkill is the recipient of the 2018 Lohnes Award. Over the 10 years Merrill has been an active member, her 4-H career has crossed many project areas, trips and activities. As a member of the Rensselaer County Trail Blazers, Green Earthlings, Teen Ambassadors and Teen Exchange, Merrill has carried out numerous leadership roles and has worked well with her peers and adult partners.
It is Merrill’s involvement in the horse program that made her a candidate for the Lohnes Award. Merrill has participated in all the live horse 4-H offerings in the county, often participating, not necessarily as a rider but as a helper to others, and mentoring younger members. Early on in Merrill’s 4-H career, Merrill won the Kimberwicke Memorial Novice Champion Award.
Outstanding citizenship and sportsmanship is what Merrill always exudes. She has received the Bronze 4-H Horse Shoe Award over the past several years, submitted outstanding project records, served as a stable manager for the Mane Event Team show and has been a Teen Evaluator for multiple events. She has participated in Horse Bowl and Horse Communications going on to participate at the state level for Horse Communications and Public Presentations. Merrill is a role model to her peers and younger members of 4-H leading by example. Recently Merrill and her family completed raising a guiding eye puppy for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, which is further evidence of the generosity and community minded “way of life” Merrill lives. We would like to thank the Lohnes family who continues to sponsor this award in memory of Bob Lohnes who initiated this award in 1983. For more information about this and other 4-H Youth Development Programs contact your respective Cornell Cooperative Extension office.