4-H Alumni Spotlight – Chappell Wilson

By: Paige Hart

Chappell at the 2013 Kentucky 4-H Homecoming being presented a Kentucky Centennial Shaker Box by 4-H Foundation Executive Director Keith Rogers and then Foundation Chairman David Wallace

The Kentucky 4-H Foundation is again excited to have the opportunity to highlight and honor the Kentucky 4-H alumni that are striving to Make the Best Better in our monthly Alumni Spotlight. This month we are honored to feature Chappell Wilson, who was in private law, before serving 21 years as district judge. Before the judge’s successful law career, he was an active 4-H member in Trigg County. From 1957-1958, Chappell served as the State 4-H President.

Chappell got his start in 4-H with his first project beef cattle. “In the school system, there were limited numbers of activities. 4-H filled a void for those activities,” said Chappell. “Most were farm kids and too young for FFA or FHA, so most kids did 4-H.” As a young 4-H’er, Chappell always looked forward to electricity projects, leadership, the county tractor driving contest, along with speech and debate. Many valuable lessons were learned in his various involvement in 4-H. Chappell recalls, “4-H taught me how to not only set goals, but also obtain them.“

Chappell Wilson as a young 4-H member in Trigg County

Chappell has fond memories of being State President where he represented 4-H Clubs in Kentucky. When reminiscing about State 4-H Week, Chappell said, “We all looked forward to it and hearing the announcement for the state winners. We also got to see the campus of UK and swim in the pool.” He also loved traveling and being a Kentucky representative at National 4-H Congress in Chicago, National Conference in Washington D.C., and a leadership conference in North Carolina.

4-H not only influenced his career choice in the military, law and as a judge, but put him on the path to a college education. “When I was in high school, I had no vision of college, but by being in 4-H I was exposed to UK and MSU,” said Chappell. “From my experiences as State 4-H President, I applied for a scholarship to UK that made it possible for me to attend there.” Chappell accredits 4-H to the introduction of speech, debate, along with leadership training that has carried him through all of his career paths.

Chappell (second from the right) participated in the 1958 National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C.

Looking ahead, Chappell comments on the future of the 4-H program by saying, “4-H teaches youth crucial life skills. 4-H is key to giving them skills to ensure success in life, careers and the future in general. 4-H is more important today than when I was involved because it teaches those skills that kids can’t get from other places.”

Chappell also recognizes the importance of giving back, “4-H gave me a lot, so it is my turn to give it back. My career would not have been what it was without 4-H. Other kids need to be exposed in activities. Supporters need to give back so youth have those opportunities in a more successful 4-H Program.” That’s why Chappell became a Kentucky 4-H Foundation Leadership Circle Investor this year.

One of the dinner functions at the 1956 National 4-H Congress in Chicago, IL that Chappell attended

Kentucky 4-H thrives because of the supporters and volunteers like Chappell. When asked about the importance of volunteering, he said, “4-H would not be the program it is without the leadership and work from the parents and volunteers that guide and mentor the kids.”