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MSU Extension Corner: 4-H Scholarships Awarded to Local Members for Outstanding Careers

Four Broadwater County 4-H members recently received scholarships recognizing them for an outstanding 4-H career. The purpose of the Broadwater County 4-H Leadership Scholarship is to help 4-H youth further their education. It is awarded to active 4-H members who have exhibited strong leadership skills and successfully completed at least two 4-H projects each year of high school. This year, the recipients of the $700 scholarship were Kadyn Braaten, Kinzee Howey, Allyson Kamps and Wade Leachman.

A ten-year member of the Crow Creek Clovers 4-H Club, Kinzee Howey has been involved in a variety of 4-H projects including Swine, Photography, Gardening, Quilting, Beef and Food Preservation. She has been in leadership roles in her club including the treasurer and leading Cloverbud activities. She has been very active in the gardening project where she received multiple grants to expand her garden and donate produce to the local food bank. When asked about her 4-H experience on our scholarship application, Kinzee says, "It [4-H] has helped me with interviews, taught me confidence and taught me that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. ... I have learned the importance of giving back to the community and the importance of community service."

Another ten-year 4-H member, Allyson Kamps belongs to the Crow Creek Clovers 4-H Club. She is a well-rounded 4-H member, participating in a variety of projects including the Sheep, Swine, Beef, Quilting, Photography, Visual Arts and Scrapbooking. She is an active leader in her 4-H Club, holding officer positions including president and secretary. She has also been involved in County 4-H Contests and has won the annual "My 4-H Story" contest three times during her career. On her scholarship application, Allyson shares what she has gained from 4-H, "I've learned many important life skills, such as caring for something other than myself, organization and record keeping skills and budget management."

Kadyn Braaten is a ten-year member of the Toston Blue Ribbon 4-H Club. Her 4-H projects have included Swine, Beef, Sheep and Horse. Kadyn's passion is for her livestock projects. She has excelled in the show ring, winning many awards in the county, throughout the state and even the nation. She has also been highly successful in livestock judging, Her team placed second at Montana 4-H Congress as well as placing third in the nation at the National FFA Convention and earning a trip to Scotland to further advance her livestock evaluation skills. Additionally, she is active in her family's hog business where she selects and raises her own breeding stock. On her scholarship application, Kadyn described what 4-H meant to her, "...what 4-H means to me is experiences and life changing opportunities, that I personally would never have gotten anywhere else."

Wade Leachman has been a 4-H member for 11 years and is in the Toston Blue Ribbon 4-H Club. His primary 4-H projects have been Beef and Swine. He has excelled in the showring, winning many awards in the county, state and even the national level. However, his involvement extends beyond the showring. He has been a 4-H teen leader, assists with teaching livestock quality assurance and is involved in the school's Ag Day. Additionally, he is active in his family's cattle ranch and has established his own herd of Simmental cattle. On his scholarship application, he shares what 4-H means to him, "It [4-H] has helped me become the leader I am today through listening and following in my many role models footsteps. It has given the chance to lead and watch other younger members succeed in the same path ways that I once walked."

Congratulations to all! You are a testament to the power of 4-H. Good luck in your future endeavors and thank you to everything you contributed to 4-H. 4-H is the youth development program of Montana State University Extension. Broadwater County 4-H is open to youth residing in Broadwater County. To inquire about the 4-H program, contact your local MSU Extension Office.