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4-H members recognized for leadership skills

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Published: February 27, 2020

Four university students receive Leadership Excellence Awards of Distinction scholarships during 4-H gala in Ottawa

Four university students were honoured at the 4-H 2020 Leadership awards in Ottawa Feb. 10.

The Leadership Excellence Awards of Distinction aim to recognize 4-H participants who, according to the organization, “demonstrate 4-H values in the way they live their lives” and honours youth who have become exceptional leaders.

The four winners were given a $20,000 scholarship.

Josiah Lodewyk of the Niagra 4-H Goat Club is currently studying systems design engineering at the University of Waterloo with the goal of becoming an agricultural engineer.

“It’s an incredible honour. Growing up with 4-H, you really realize how much effort and time the volunteers put in to make it possible,” he said. “(The award) enables me to give back to my community and club through my education and pursue my studies in science and technology.”

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Award winners were also paired with a specialized mentor who can help guide the students.

“The future is always a little bit foggy and just knowing there is someone who has already travelled that road, who has similar passions like entrepreneurship and engineering like myself, knowing she has advice for me and can give me some counsel and guidance to reach those goals that I really want to reach,” said Lodewyk.

Doug Sroka from the Maidstone Gully Multiple 4-H Club is hoping to become a clinical psychologist as he pursues his studies at the University of Saskatchewan.

“It’s a pretty big deal, 4-H is a really big thing in my family. My grandma served as the president of 4-H Canada, she served with 4-H Saskatchewan and my mom has been involved with 4-H as well, and all of her siblings — my siblings have all been part of 4-H so this is a really big deal for me,” he said.

Riley Callahan from River Valley’s 4-H Club is hoping to become an engineer with a focus on the environment and water as he studies at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

He was thankful for the honour as well as the financial award.

“(The money) allows me to focus more on my studies and not have to worry about not being able to pay my tuition or having to pay off a student loan at the end of the day, so that’s really one of the best benefits and why I’m so honoured to have this award,” he said.

Growing up, Callahan occasionally lost faith in 4-H over his 11 years in the club, but was encouraged to stay involved by his leaders.

“I can clearly see the goal and the mission of 4-H clearly and how this is developing young kids into great leaders for the future,” he said.

University of Saskatchewan student Courtney Taylor was also an award recipient.

Chief executive officer of 4-H Canada Shannon Benner said the award recognizes the hard work of the students, but also gives them an opportunity to tell their 4-H story and the impact it can have in communities.

“There’s no better time than now for 4-H. Whether it’s looking at the effects of climate change, to some of the staggering numbers around young people in Canada, to feeding nine billion people by 2050, you know, the time is now,” she said.

The organization has been active for more than 100 years and currently boasts close to 24,000 members.

Its goal of “learn to do by doing” has become a staple in communities around Canada – many of them with representation at the gala event in Ottawa, where a number of other awards were also handed out.

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D.C. Fraser

D.C. Fraser

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