AMES, Iowa – Two Polk County 4-H members have been awarded 4-H scholarships.  Allison Baird, Clive, received the $500 Cheryl and David Pence Communication Scholarship, and Neal Stewart, Maxwell, received the Cheryl and David Pence Visual Arts 4-H Scholarship. Both scholarships were sponsored by Cheryl and David Pence.

Baird, a seven-year 4-H member, is the daughter of Joyce and Jim Baird.  She has participated in communications, photography, personal development and visual arts.  She served as president, treasurer and historian of her local 4-H club.

“4-H has influenced me by making me a better leader and a more goal-oriented person.  Through 4-H, I have been able to learn and develop my leadership skills and apply those skills to other parts of my life,” Baird said.  “Because 4-H places a large focus on goal making, it has been a very large pat of my life.  I make achievable goals for myself when I am working on different projects.  Setting goals for myself will stay with me and help me in my future.”

A recent graduate of West Des Moines Valley High School, Baird plans on attending Iowa State University as an open option student.

Stewart, a nine-year 4-H member, is the son of Roger and Janet Stewart.  He has been involved in visual arts, horticulture, science, and mechanics and engineering.  He was a blue ribbon winner at the State Fair for visual arts,and for visual arts and science mechanical engineering.  He also served as vice-president of the 4-H club and junior leader in visual arts and science mechanical engineering.

“4-H has taught me to set goals and to work toward them,” Stewart said.  “4-H has taught me teamwork and how to work in a group with other people to accomplish a common goal.”

A recent graduate of Bondurant-Farrar High School, Stewart plans on attending Indian Hills Community College majoring in aviation maintenance technology.

In Iowa, the 4-H program is a part of Iowa State University Extension and 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 the local county office of ISU Extension.

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