19 Iowa 4-H’ers Receive 2011 Iowa State Fair 4-H Scholarships

AMES, Iowa – Nineteen Iowa 4-H members have received $1,000 Iowa State Fair 4-H Scholarships sponsored by the Iowa Foundation for Agriculture Advancement. Recipients are from Black Hawk, Buena Vista, Cass, Cerro Gordo, Clinton, Dubuque, Hamilton, Hancock, Keokuk, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Sioux, Union, Wapello, Washington and Worth counties.

• Black Hawk County 4-H’er Katelyn Samuelson, La Porte City, is the daughter of Bart and Amy Samuelson. She plans to attend Iowa State University to major in agriculture exploration.

An eight-year 4-H member, Samuelson has been involved in the sheep, food and nutrition, photography and veterinary science project areas. She received the Burrows Challenge Award and a Danforth “I Dare You” Award and has served as club president, secretary and reporter.

“4-H has helped me to become a responsible, outgoing and motivated person,” said Samuelson. “Through my 4-H projects, I have gained self-confidence, pride in my accomplishments and become knowledgeable in life skills.”

• Buena Vista County 4-H’er Austin Ehlers, Storm Lake, is the son of Brent and Carol Ehlers. A graduate of Sioux Central High School, he plans to attend Iowa State University to major in animal science pre-vet/genetics.

A nine-year 4-H member, Ehlers has been involved in the beef, food and nutrition, welding, communications and woodworking project areas. He has served as club president, vice president and treasurer.

“4-H has helped me with my communication skills in everyday life, as well as in the livestock industry,” said Ehlers.

• Cass County 4-H’er Erin Steele, Anita, is the daughter of Doug and Lynette Steele. A graduate of CAM High School, she plans to attend Iowa State University to major in agricultural business.

A nine-year 4-H member, Steele has been involved in the beef, food and nutrition, sheep, breeding beef and clothing project areas. She was a state qualifier for static exhibits and has served as club president, secretary and treasurer.

“4-H has opened new doors for me that have helped broaden my aspect of the agricultural world,” said Steele.

• Cerro Gordo County 4-H’er McKenzie Hanna-Marken, Clear Lake, is the daughter of Deb Hanna and Alan Marken. She plans to attend Iowa Sate University to major in animal science and agriculture business and minor in Spanish.

A nine-year 4-H member, Hanna-Marken has been involved in the horses, sheep, woodworking, swine and photography project areas. She has served as club president, vice president and historian.

• Clinton County 4-H’er Emily Ketelsen, DeWitt, is the daughter of Gary and Mary Jo Ketelsen. A graduate of Central Community Schools, she plans to attend Iowa State University to major in general pre-veterinary/animal science.

A nine-year 4-H member, Ketelsen has been involved in the breeding beef and market beef project areas. She received an award for her beef project and has served as club president, secretary and treasurer.

“I enjoy being around animals and caring for them,” said Ketelsen. “4-H has helped me make the decision to major in animal science and possibly become a veterinarian.”

• Dubuque County 4-Her Michael Bahl, Dubuque, is the son of Martin and Linda Bahl. A graduate of Wahlert Catholic High School, he plans to attend Iowa State University to major in animal science pre-vet.

An eight-year 4-H member, Bahl has been involved in the dairy, science, mechanics, engineering, tractors, woodworking and photography project areas. He received the “I Dare You” award and many blue ribbons at the Iowa State Fair. He has served as club president, vice president and phone committee head.

“4-H has taught me the communication skills that will help me throughout life,” said Bahl.

• Dubuque County 4-H’er Emily Simon, Farley, is the daughter of Jerry and Jackie Simon. A graduate of Western Dubuque High School, she plans to attend Iowa State University to major in dairy science.

A nine-year 4-H member, Simon has been involved in the dairy, food and nutrition, home improvement, photography and visual arts project areas. She received the D.A.R.E. Leadership Award and has served as club vice president, reporter and secretary.

“4-H has helped shape me into the person I am today and helped me choose the right path towards my future plans of helping dairy farmers and making a difference for agriculture through dairy science,” said Simon.

• Hamilton County 4-H’er Jay McCoskey, Jewell, is the son of Gary and Kari McCoskey. A graduate of South Hamilton High School, he plans to attend Iowa State University to major in agronomy.

A nine-year 4-H member, McCoskey has been involved in the poultry, beef, dog obedience, horticulture and goats project areas. He received the Grand Champion Poultry 2010 honor, the Senior Showman 2010 Poultry honor and also received a county poultry award. He served as president and vice president of his 4-H club.

“At times in my 4-H experience, I have found myself outside of my comfort zone, but in the end, this made me a better person,” said McCoskey.

• Hancock County 4-H’er Cole Greiman, Garner, is the son of Ted and Mary Greiman. A graduate of Garner–Hayfield High School, he plans to attend Iowa State University this fall.

A nine-year 4-H member, Greiman has been involved in the beef, swine, photography and welding project areas. He received the Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Angus Heifer honor twice. He has served as club president and treasurer.

• Keokuk County 4-H’er Patrick Frank, Keota, is the son of Rob and Tina Frank. A graduate of Keota High School, he plans to attend Iowa State University to major in pre-veterinary medicine.

A nine-year 4-H member, Frank has been involved in the beef, swine, food and nutrition, woodworking and photography project areas. He received awards in beef herdsmanship and swine herdsmanship, and has served as club president, vice president and secretary.

“4-H has allowed me to do what I love and be myself,” said Frank.

• Marion County 4-H’er Joshua Petersen, Knoxville, is the son of James and Julie Petersen. A graduate of Melcher–Dallas High School, he plans to attend Iowa State University to major in agricultural studies.

A nine-year 4-H member, Petersen has been involved in the swine, sheep, poultry, small engine and automotive project areas. He received the State Fair Automotive Award and received other State Fair awards in vegetables, swine, sheep and poultry. He has served as club vice president.

“I feel prepared for challenges because 4-H has taught me so much,” said Petersen.

• Marion County 4-H’er Amy Turner, Knoxville, is the daughter of Mike and Sherry Turner. A graduate of Knoxville High School, she plans to attend Iowa State University to major in pre-veterinary/animal science.

A nine-year 4-H member, Turner has been involved in the horses, goats, cats and chickens project areas. She received several county fair horse championships and served as club treasurer and secretary.

“4-H has shaped me into the person I am today,” said Turner. “It has helped me get accustomed to handling pressure, avoid procrastination and become a better worker under stress.”

• Marshall County 4-H’er Michael Burt, Marshalltown, is the son of Allen and Dee Burt. A graduate of GMG Jr./Sr. High School, he plans to attend Iowa State University to major in agricultural business.

A nine-year 4-H member, Burt has been involved in the swine, beef, citizenship and photography project areas. He received leadership and citizenship awards and has served as club president, vice president and treasurer.

“Throughout my nine years in 4-H, I have learned many things,” said Burt. “The most valuable lesson I learned was how to work hard.”

• Mills County 4-H’er Amanda Greiner, Silver City, is the daughter of Don and Holly Greiner. A graduate of Treynor Community High School, she plans to attend Iowa State University to major in animal science and veterinary medicine.

A nine-year 4-H member, Greiner has been involved in the beef/cattle, swine, horses, visual arts and photography project areas. She received awards in swine and beef and received the 4-H Endowment Scholarship. She has served as club president, secretary and historian.

“The opportunities that 4-H has provided throughout my many years, have taught me that my success will only come from my attitude in my approach to the challenges I undertake,” said Greiner.

• Sioux County 4-H’er Jade Moret, Sioux Center, is the daughter of Ryan and Sue Moret. She plans to attend Iowa State University to major in animal ecology.

A nine-year 4-H member, Moret has been involved in the agriculture and natural resources, livestock, photography, educational presentations and home improvement project areas. She received the Golden Needle Award and the Synergy Award, along with the People’s Choice Award at the Stitch This! competition in 2010. She has served as club president and treasurer.

“Since I was in 4^th grade, 4-H has had a huge impact on me,” said Moret. “It helped me become a more responsible and respectable adult.”

• Union County 4-H’er Eliza Driskill, Afton, is the daughter of Les Driskill and Marla Gilliam. A graduate of East Union Community School, she plans to attend Iowa State University to major in agricultural education and communication.

A nine-year 4-H member, Driskill has been involved in the beef, swine, photography, citizenship and photography project areas. She received a blue ribbon in photography and has served as club vice president and treasurer.

“4-H has helped me build confidence and self-respect, taught me the value of hard work, dedication, reliability and the value of good communication,” said Driskill.

• Wapello County 4-H’er Ethan Conrad, Ottumwa, is the son of Randy and Melanie Conrad. A graduate of Eddyville–Blakesburg High School, he plans to attend Iowa State University to major in agricultural engineering.

A nine-year 4-H member, Conrad has been involved in the woodworking, food and nutrition, swine and beef project areas. He received several blue ribbons for his projects and the Wapello County 4-H Foundation Scholarship. He has served as president of his 4-H club and was on the United Way for Kids Grant Committee and the Wapello County 4-H Youth Council.

“My involvement in 4-H has provided many opportunities to practice using leadership, communication and goal-setting skills to explore and lead in an active, hands-on way,” said Conrad.

• Washington County 4-H’er Kyle Huber, Wellman, is the son of Jay and Pat Huber. A graduate of Keota High School, he plans to attend Iowa State University to major in animal science and agriculture business.

A nine-year 4-H member, Huber has been involved in the safety, engineering solutions, woodworking, market beef and bucket/bottle calves project areas. He received a Senior Citizenship Award, an achievement award and an outstanding woodworking award. He has served as club secretary and treasurer.

“4-H has provided me the opportunity to become a leader, learn responsibility and patience, as well as provide service to others,” said Huber.

• Worth County 4-H’er Briar Tenold, Northwood, is the daughter of Lynn and Mindy Tenold. A graduate of Northwood–Kensett Jr./Sr. High School, she plans to attend Iowa State University to major in animal science/pre-veterinary.

A nine-year 4-H member, Tenold has been involved in the beef, citizenship, leadership, communication and clothing project areas. She received awards in her beef, citizenship, leadership, communication and clothing projects. She has served as club vice president, activities director and communication leader.

“4-H is like a good pair of rhinestone cowboy boots,” said Tenold. “It gives you the sturdy base of a crepe sole to shape the path you take, while adding flair to set you apart from the rest of the crowd.”

In Iowa, the 4-H program is part of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach headquartered on the ISU campus in Ames. For more information about 4-H, how to get involved or how to apply for a 4-H scholarship, contact any ISU Extension county office.

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