By: Paige Hart
1996-1997 State Officer Team; Michael (front row on left) was the State President.
This past year, the Kentucky 4-H Foundation started a new initiative called the 4-H Alumni Spotlight. The Kentucky 4-H Foundation exists to ensure Kentucky’s 4-H Youth Development Program remains a vital component of the Commonwealth. The Alumni Spotlight was started as a pilot program to accompany the National 4-H Alumni Programs, highlighting individuals who have made a significant impact on Kentucky 4-H as a youth participant and who continue to be involved alumni, truly helping to make the best better.
Kentucky 4-H has touched the lives of so many youth and adults across our commonwealth, instilling the values of leadership, communication, cooperation, sportsmanship, and more in so many of the youth in Kentucky. One Organization. Hundreds of thousands youth impacted. Through a variety of programs, 4-H offers opportunities to learn life skills that are essential to future success. The true essence of the Alumni Spotlight is to highlight those who are serving their club, community, country, and world in helping ensure that Kentucky 4-H not only succeeds, but thrives.
Westerfield brothers (Left to Right) David, Jerry, Larry, Oscar, Joe, and Tom.
While so many are deserving of this recognition, it has been our honor thus far to highlight Senator Ernie Harris, Brent Hutchinson, Chappell Wilson, Kelsey Knight, Joey Whitfield, Teresa Goggin, Dr. Jerry D. Westerfield, Michael Walker, George & Ruth Duncan, Richard Mason, Tim Hendrick, Mary Steely, Paul Hall, and Chandler Young. This collection of people differ in so many ways—ages, careers, interests, home counties, and more—yet all share one thing in common: a love for 4-H. We once again thank each of these individuals for the impact that they are making. It has been so rewarding to see how one organization has influenced each of these individuals, but more fulfilling is seeing the ways that they are giving back and keeping Kentucky 4-H a priority in their lives even after their membership has ended.
Teresa Goggin as a young 4-Her working on her electricity skills.
If you know any outstanding 4-H alumni members and want to have his or her story shared, be sure to nominate them for our Alumni Spotlight. You can nominate them by sending a brief email highlighting his or her involvement and contributions to Kentucky 4-H, as well as his or her contact information to our Social Media Director, Paige Hart, at paige.hart02@yahoo.com. Kentucky 4-H has long had a significant impact not only on the development of our youth, but also on the Commonwealth at large. This is our opportunity to highlight those who have helped make this impact possible. We look forward to another great year of showcasing so many of our fantastic members who have embodied our pledge and motto. As we make the best better, we say, “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living for my Club, my Community, my Country, and my World.”
