AZ 4-H Hall of Fame 2012 Inductees
Stasha Barlow
To some people 4-H is not an option, it is a way of life. This is true of Greenlee County 4-H Leader Stasha Barlow. When Stasha was growing up she was involved in 4-H, so it is no surprise that when her children became old enough to join 4-H they became active members. Stasha never hesitated to become a volunteer leader and has honed her skills by attending optional leader training. Greenlee County is fortunate to have leaders like Stasha that care genuinely about youth, their development, and fostering a successful 4-H program. For many years, there had not been a cooking activity going on in the county. Stasha quickly organized and supervised a three day cooking camp. When the county needed a swine leader she stepped up and accepted the responsibility. She ensured that youth knew what kind of structure to house their animals in, how to properly feed, water and medicate their animals, and ensured that they had fun while learning. Some of her project meetings include field trips to the meat counter at the local grocer to learn the cuts of meat, visits to pig farms to see how pigs are raised and readied for youth livestock members to purchase, and a visit to a feed mill to see how their animals’ feed is made. Stasha is a strong believer in improving communication skills and has youth present a demonstration as part of their project. On a regional level, Stasha has supported activities to broaden the experience of members. She has chaperoned at LEAP Camp and at the associated camp counselor training. In addition to leading project areas, Stasha has served on the county leaders’ board, ad hoc committees, and worked on county-wide fund-raising and camp events. Stasha has constantly championed 4-H and promoted its value to youth and adults. Her children and a few other youth in the area were very interested in a horse or gymkhana project. Knowing that she was unable to take on such a big project she tirelessly recruited adults to help out. While the project proved too much for our small, rural area she always kept the idea on the back burner, ready to be sparked again by any interest. As an elementary school teacher, Stasha shows caring and compassion for all youth she comes in contact with. She has involved 4-H members in events at the school, helping to promote the 4-H program. She truly enjoys working with youth in all settings. Greenlee County 4-H is fortunate to have such a caring individual with determination to “Make the Best Better.”
Kelly Bryant (deceased)
Kelly Bryant grew up an active horse, dairy and clogging member in the Laveen Community 4-H Club. Kelly enjoyed the experiences of 4-H at the county, state and national levels. She participated in Arizona 4-H Round-Up earning four Shield & Clovers in Speech & Demo Contests and capped off her career as a delegate to National 4-H Congress in 1982. Kelly was a leader even as a teenager—she led the Laveen 4-H Crafts Club. When Kelly aged out of 4-H, she naturally became a 4-H leader, so her son Colton and daughter Austin could experience the program like she had. So began 28 years of mentoring, pushing, molding, encouraging and loving her “4-H kids.” Kelly was so proud of the accomplishments of the members. Active with the ANLS, County & State Fair, State Horse Show, rodeos, Horse & Dairy Shows, County Round-Ups, EIEE Contests, Communication Days, Western Horse Classic, and Horse Committee, Kelly encouraged her members “to do more than ride — learn to communicate effectively, present yourself well, represent your community, be involved in solutions, be responsible for your actions, serve your community, do your best and stay in school.” That was Kelly Bryant — an extraordinary person, a passionate and giving 4-H leader of 28 years and she is missed every day. (Sadly, Kelly passed away in 2013.)
Janice Bryson
Leader of Glendale Shepherders, Laveen Rough Riders, and Buckeye Community Service & Leadership 4-H Clubs, Janice Bryson is entering her 30th year of being a true 4-H community program leader. Janice is one of those people who sometimes you see out in front, sometimes she is behind the scenes (but you know she is involved) and most of the other times, she’s walking side by side with you doing that 4-H thing – Making the Best Better. Janice was a 4-H member for one year when they lived on a ranch in the New River area, but being a Mesa girl, she didn’t get to continue her membership. That seemed to only make her want to pursue it even more as an adult so, being a loving mom, she became a leader so her daughter Kelly and son Ryan could have opportunities that she didn’t have. Janice saw 4-H as “a way to influence young people to be responsible, build a strong personal foundation, experience and become engaged in public speaking, serve their community, exhibit and practice leadership, and go forward into adulthood with a positive experience in growing up.” “I think what I am most proud of as a 4-H leader, was to get to work with my children, my grandchildren Walter, Ximena, Colton, Austin and the many youth of the west valley. So many have stayed in contact with us, have excelled in so many life skills like public speaking, demonstrations, communication, leadership and service - and developing those skills have carried them to Arizona 4-H Round- Up, National 4-H Congress, Western Horse Classic and more,” she said. Janice serves in so many capacities - Arizona Cattlewomen, 4-H Leader’s Association, ANLS, Irish Arizona Project, Women In Agriculture, 4-H Centennial Committee and the Arizona History Museum — that is hard to believe she had time to earn honors as a 2008 Arizona Culture Keeper, Maricopa County 4-H Family of the Year in 2002-2003 and an 2013 Arizona 4-H Centennial Family...but that’s just the kind of person she is…a deserving Arizona 4-H Hall of Fame member.
Grant Boice
Grant Boice is a fourth generation Arizona pioneer ranching family member and has been involved with and supporting 4-H for most of his life. Grant was part of the first steer club in Globe, started by his father Bob Boice in the mid 1960s. He had a successful show career with a Grand Champion Market Steer at the Gila County Fair and a Champion Scramble Steer at the Arizona National Livestock Show. Two years in a row, Grant competed in beef showmanship at the State 4-H Roundup, winning the Shield & Clover award in 1970. Grant has also been involved with the Arizona National for more than 40 years, serving as chairman of the Calf Scramble Committee, director, secretary/treasurer, president-elect and president of the Show. In 1985, his role switched from volunteer to employee, when he was hired to be the Executive Director of Arizona National, a position he held for 18 years. Grant is Past President of Arizona Fairs Association and the North American Livestock Show and Rodeo Managers’ Association. He has served on the Governor’s Livestock Committee for 17 years and played an instrumental role in ensuring the continued funding of fairs and livestock shows by the State of Arizona. Grant has been seen across the state at many of the county fairs helping the local committees with their livestock auctions. As he transitions into retirement you can be sure Grant will continue to support Arizona 4-H and the integral part it plays in educating and developing Arizona’s rural and agricultural youth.
Sherry Duffy
Sherry Duffy has been a 4-H Volunteer for 15 years for the Seba Dalkai Frontiers 4-H Club in Navajo County. Her club has been involved in community service activities, leadership training, and project excellence for all those years. Several of her club members have attended National 4-H events such as Citizenship Washington Focus (Jamie and Justina), National 4-H Congress (Jamie and Justina), and the Arizona 4-H Camp J.O.L.T (Journey: Opportunity for Leadership Training) at Camp Shadow Pines near Heber. Sherry’s club members have been encouraged to attend all teen leadership camps, and participate in community service clean-up events, as well as Operation Military Kids. The Seba Dalkai Frontiers 4-H Club teens distributed Hero Packs to military families and their children on the Navajo Reservation, after they learned of the program through their attendance at JOLT camp. Sherry has volunteered to judge county record books for the past several years, and never shuns any obligation when asked. In fact, most of the time she volunteers without being asked. Her club has been named Club of the Year several times, and the members have been awarded Teen Leader of the Year, as well as Junior or Senior members of the year. Club members have also received local and state scholarships. Sherry is also a member of her local community chapter house committee, and attends meetings to encourage community involvement in worthwhile causes. She is a certified Home Health Care Provider.
Bill Estes
Bill Estes served in one capacity or another in 4-H for at least 12 years, until his resignation in August, 2012. His most recent leadership role was Club Leader for Tanque Verde Community 4-H. As a club leader, he was always a positive role model and looked out for all the kids, encouraging their involvement and participation. Even the quietest kids blossomed with his kind words, and began to show more confidence in speaking in front of the group in leading the pledges and presenting project updates. He has served as Tanque Verde Community pygmy goat leader, and with in recent years has served as Pima County club and pygmy goat project co-leader with his daughter Kelly. He also has served as Pima County rabbit project co-leader with his daughter Shannon. Bill has been a supporter of the Pima County 4-H Large and Small Stock Auctions for approximately 12 years, both as a buyer and in volunteering his time to help with the auction. Bill is a member of the Board of Southern Arizona Rabbit Breeders Association and currently is serving as Treasurer. He is a supporter of Casa Maria Soup Kitchen and the Wildcat Charter School. He attends many Tucson City Council meetings and Pima County Board of Supervisors meetings as a concerned citizen and businessman. He is a Presidents Club member of the University of Arizona Athletics Wildcat Club. As for Mr. Estes’ career achievements, he is the principal in a multi-generational, full spectrum Tucson and Arizona real estate development company which has built over 35,000 homes in Arizona. His company has developed master planned communities such as Ventana Canyon, La Reserve, Rancho del Lago and Midvale Park, as well as numerous office buildings and shopping centers. He has been an active participant in Southern Arizona Homebuilders Association, Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and Urban Land Institute among other professional groups.
Karen Geldmacher
Karen is one of Pinal County’s most valued 4-H volunteers. Her family purchased the Holy Joe Ranch in Aravaipa Canyon when she was 5 years old, where she spent summers on the ranch. She eventually moved to Casa Grande after receiving her degree from the University of Arizona. She became a 4-H volunteer approximately 21 years ago and has donated countless hours of her time to benefit the youth of Pinal County. Most notably she served as a project and community club leader for the Cactus Wranglers 4-H club, focused on clothing, horse, livestock, carcass and photography projects. Karen has served the Pinal 24 County Junior Livestock Committee for 20 years, creating the carcass contest beginning in 1988. She has given outstanding leadership to the Pinal County Extension Advisory Board, since 1990. When meeting Karen, you immediately see her smile and soon you will be engaged in conversation because she loves to hear people’s ideas and thoughts on a wide range of topics. Karen is a lifelong learner and a jewel of Pinal County 4-H. She is currently a professor at Central Arizona College in Coolidge.
Eleanor Gorman
Eleanor Gorman became familiar with the 4-H Program in 1952 while employed with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Extension Services, which assisted with the Extension Agents throughout the Central Navajo Agency of Chinle. Ms. Gorman started as a 4-H parent and leader from 1969-1973 with the Chinle 4-H club. The major emphasis at that time was with livestock. She worked with her daughter, Gayle and her nephew, Cornelius, along with her brother, Nelson Gorman Jr. as 4-H members in Chinle. U of A Cooperative Extension had a branch office located in Chinle and was one of many 4-H clubs in the Central Navajo Agency area of Chinle, at the time. It wasn’t until 1987 when Ms. Gorman became acquainted with Joyce Alves, Extension Faculty, Apache County for Family Consumer Health Science and 4-H, that she again became active within the 4-H Program. Joyce was invited and attended an elementary school Native Clothing Fashion Revue in Chinle and that was where Joyce and Ms. Gorman met. By this time, Ms. Gorman had four grandchildren: LaWonda, Dave, Gaylynn and Shane. All four grandchildren enrolled in 4-H and with the support of their grandmother and mother, started a new 4-H club in Tsaile, along with the Chinle groups. Ms. Gorman quickly became the 4-H Community leader. She helped her grandchildren and other children with 4-H projects in clothing, foods and nutrition, livestock and shooting sports. They participated in community and project club work and entered their projects in the Navajo Nation Fair in Window Rock as well as the Central Navajo Chinle Fair for the very first time. They learned the effort and satisfaction of receiving blue ribbons. They were encouraged and participated in 4-H demonstrations, public speaking and the Fashion Revue held at the Navajo Nation Fair. As community leader, Eleanor assisted with recruiting 4-H members and leaders in the surrounding area of Chinle. Without an extension office in that rural community, Eleanor eventually became known as the 4-H person within the Agency along with her continuous involvement with 4-H. She also serves on the Apache County Cooperative Extension Advisory Board. Ms. Gorman’s career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Social Services Department got her involved with child welfare and working with handicapped children. Her community service in Chinle did not stop with 4-H. She was elected to the BIA-Many Farms High School Board from 1986-2001 and was instrumental in getting a new high school built. She worked with Cooperative Extension and the Chinle Chapter in bringing Family Consumer Health Science and was the community leader and support for 4-H in Chinle for approximately 20 years. Her 4-H expertise eventually spread to other nearby communities. Ms. Gorman especially sees the 4-H program as a very good and productive program for young people and wishes that more parents would become involved with their children, as 4-H members.
Lindsey Kesterson
What comes to mind first about Lindsey Kesterson is that of an angel, with a loving heart. She is extremely kind and gentle like an angel with a heart larger than the state of Texas. Lindsey never does anything small. In fact everything she does is enormous and always truly from her heart. She always has the kids’ best interests in mind. Lindsey treats each and every one of them all like they are her own. Lindsey is an excellent leader, teacher and most of all a mentor. She always instilled ethics in the kids and demanded (in her own kind way) that they have respect for everyone. Lindsey has always been positive even when things were crazy in her own life. When she was diagnosed with cancer and had to take a break from her 4-H volunteering, she never stopped giving to the kids in the Prescott Roughriders and the 4-H kids in Yavapai County. We had so many fun riding meetings. While they were having fun with all their hands-on activities, the youth were also learning life long skills that they did not even realize at the time. She made learning fun. But what the kids would love, were her two spider monkeys that always came to riding meetings and horse shows. Quite the entertainment! Our friend Lindsey does not understand the words no or it can’t be done. One of the most successful and huge undertakings, was the year she wanted to host a county-wide horse show with all the proceeds to be given to the DARE program. It was great: the 4-H kids paired up with police officers (all from several different agencies). We watched the kids put their skills to work by giving the police officers a crash course in equine showmanship. The officers then had to handle the horse in a showmanship class. It was fantastic and just like Lindsey to give back to the community. Lindsey was able to get so much support for this horse show that she and her Prescott Rough Riders 4-H Club were able to present the DARE Program with a $2,000 check. When it came time for Proficiency Day, there wasn’t anything Lindsey would not do to help the kids be prepared and successful. In one example of her generosity, she had the kids come up with a design for sweatshirts — they worked as a team and she ultimately purchased every single 4-H child in Yavapai County a sweatshirt to wear during the Proficiency Day activities. To this day, parents and 4-H alumni children come up to her and thank her for all that she did for them. Most of these kids are still riding and involved in other aspects of the equine world thanks to Lindsey’s influence. She truly is Yavapai County’s 4-H angel.
Dan Klingenberg
Dan was active in 4-H club leadership, citizenship and project work throughout his youth, and was the recipient of various achievement awards, including National 4-H Congress in Chicago (1957), National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C. (1958), and a Standard Oil Company 4-H Scholarship. In the early days, he provided leadership to the Santa Rita 4-H Club south of Tucson, as a 4-H agent in Yuma County, and then as a Peace Corps volunteer leader in Venezuela. In 1989, Dan established an endowment to support 4-H in Arizona. Recently, he made a substantial gift to Arizona 4-H toward the purchase of our State 4-H Camp. Dan is currently is in his fourteenth year as a trustee of the Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation, for which he has served as president (2005-06), treasurer, and currently secretary. Most recently, Dan has been nominated for induction into National 4-H Hall of Fame. Dan received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Arizona, and a master’s degree in Latin American Studies from Stanford University. Dan has devoted his life to agriculture all around the world and credits much of his success to 4-H. “4-H has been an important part of my life.” Dan states. “It has helped me in my career and associations with friends and family. It has given me the character, leadership and community spirit to support my many and diverse endeavors.” In many ways, Dan’s life’s journey is reflected in the words and meaning of both the 4-H Pledge and the 4-H Motto.
Steve Lackey
A lifelong 4-H member, Mr. Steve Lackey is definitely the driving force behind his 4-H club! He hit the ground running nearly 20 years ago and he hasn’t stopped yet. His involvement started as a swine leader, and he did an awesome job working with the kids, parents and swine. He researched and gathered materials and challenged the members to learn as much about their hogs as possible — he scheduled biweekly meetings and even made “house calls” to weigh and check animals. But he doesn’t stop there. He solicits sponsorship for the club pre-fair, organizes the county wide large animal information clinics and serves on the Junior Livestock Committee which plans and organizes fair — anything you need, call him and he’ll try to help you out. Last year Steve was instrumental in bringing “Be A Champ Camp” to Yuma County. He helped a dedicated group of workers and together they provided a three day, hands-on, high- energy clinic for large animal project members, attracting youth from all over Arizona and California. Steve is one of the most visible leaders in Yuma County. His professional life requires a lot of personal contact, and through that involvement Steve has become a voice of 4-H — from recruiting new members and leaders to enlisting sponsorship and support to creating awareness in our community and around the state. Most 4-H member do not have the opportunity or means to travel to find show animals, so Steve brings the animals to the 4-H’ers. Working with reputable breeders from various parts of the country, 4-H members have options and choices that would not be possible without Steve’s help. He is the leader of the largest club in the county, and they are a highly involved and community service oriented club that makes quite an impact throughout Yuma. He is an enthusiastic and motivated leader that has inspired others to make their best even better! His motto is, “We come as a club; We work as a club; We leave as a club!” We’ve all come to know that if Steve says he’ll get it done, don’t think twice about it, because he always gets it done!
Nadya Laliberte
Nadya grew up as a member in the Laveen Community 4-H Club, where she exhibited rabbits and sewing projects. Nadya, of course, took the time honored tradition of becoming a 4-H club leader as well, so she could teach her daughters and other young ladies the skills and craft of planning, problem solving and creation – mostly all in a fun way. Nadya led her sewing club for 18 years and was active in all aspects of the 4-H program: Family & Consumer Science (FCS) Judging, Demonstrations, Speech, County Fair, State Fair, County Round-Up, FCS Committee and County 4-H Leader’s Association. Nadya is finally looking toward mentoring new leadership to follow in her footsteps…and why not? She is heading into her 28th year as an Assistant or Head 4-H Division Superintendent of the Maricopa County Fair and twelfth year of taking over the reins from Ruth Cheatham as the Arizona State Fair 4-H Division Superintendent. Nadya is a dedicated, hard worker and a consummate professional for Maricopa County & Arizona 4-H. Nadya believes strongly in the power of 4-H and believes that 4-H can be anything to anyone as she is very fond of stating “Anything a child wants to learn can become a project in 4-H!” Nadya and Luke’s children are raised and off on their own, but her commitment to the 4-H program has never wavered — and often Luke is included in that commitment. A former colleague of Nadya’s said: “Nadya was one of those leaders who embodied what we want out of 4-H’ers — she didn’t need her hand held, she knew what needed to be done, knew how to get the job done, was a self- starter, reliable and dependable. Those skills, and her resolve, instincts and passion for the program help make Nadya a great 4-H leader to work alongside.
Jan Levin
Jan has been a huge part of Pima County 4-H for many years. At the age of 9 years, Jan became a 4-H member in the state of Kansas. She participated actively in gardening, sewing, cooking and showing cattle. She was active in these projects for nine years. In 1982 Jan enrolled her children in 4-H in Pima County and the following year became the Community Leader for the Tanque Verde Community Club. She continued to be the Community Leader for 11 years. Jan was a very positive role model for the kids and parents of Tanque Verde Community. She always placed an importance on good sportsmanship and working together. During her years as Community Leader Jan has become an advisor for more than 10 kids who were working towards a Congressional Award. The 4-H members needed to complete a certain number of Community Service, Exercise and Personal Development hours. She assisted them with ideas on how to obtain those hours and signed off on their completion. In 1990, 1991 and 1993, Jan was the Pima County Beef Superintendent. In 1990 she also became a member of the Pima County Sales Committee. The Sales Committee puts on the youth livestock sale at the Pima County Fair. She has been a member of the Sales Committee for 23 years. Jan and her husband Alan have been buyers at the Pima County Livestock Auction for almost 30 years. She has worked with kids all throughout Pima County by teaching classes on writing buyer letters and marketing animals. In 2005 Jan volunteered to become the community leader for a new club that her grandson was joining. She established the Littletown Ranchers Club. The first year, Littletown Ranchers had six members and today it has more than 50 members and is a thriving club. She has done an amazing job of promoting 4-H and finding outstanding people to become leaders for the club. At the same time Jan became Community Leader of Littletown Ranchers, she became a cooking leader for the club. This coming year she will be switching over to be a sewing leader for the club. Jan and her family have lived in Tucson for 40 years and have had many successes in business. They own the Port of Tucson, Tucson Frozen Storage, Century Park Research Center, Levin and Sons and several other companies. Their contribution to the Pima County Community includes being supporters of EI Rio, Child and Family Resources, Christian Family Care, U of A Cancer Center, YMCA and many, many more.
Judi Mann
Judi Mann has been and continues to be a positive part of the Gila County 4-H Program. She has served as a volunteer leader for approximately 38 years, which has encompassed three generations of 4-H youth. She has not only been a vital part of the horse project leadership but leads project clubs in market livestock as well. Ms. Mann has served not only at the county level as a 4-H volunteer but was also a volunteer member of the Arizona State Horse Show committee for several years. On the Southern Gila County Leaders Council, she has held numerous offices. She continues to graciously volunteer each year to serve as our Gila County representative during the three day state horse show. At the Gila County Fair she serves on the livestock committee and is the Horse Show superintendent. Each year, Ms. Mann is very conscientious to make sure that the traditional fair events occur for the 4-H youth, such as the Traditional Round Robin Showmanship and the Old Fashioned Fair Night. Judi is a stellar volunteer leader for Gila County 4-H. She exemplifies the type of character that 4-H expects from all members and leaders. Her examples of honesty, trustworthiness, responsibility and respect are instilled in the youth she works with in the community. Although she expects nothing less than the best of character from her members, they in turn know that she will stand behind them and provide assistance in any way she can. Ms. Mann has raised her two children and five grandchildren in the 4-H program but the number of youth she has positively impacted is beyond recognition.
Judy Mellor
Judy Mellor has been a 4-H volunteer since the 1970s in the Pima County 4-H Program. Judy’s knowledge and skill in home economics projects was legendary. She had been a 4-H member in Pinal County and had gone to National 4-H Congress. When she became a leader in a small neighborhood club, she not only included home economics projects but also some of the first science and tech projects in the county. Her members excelled in these projects because she recruited excellent volunteers and expected only the best from them and their members. These members even tailored their clothes! Some clubs had trouble turning in aprons! Judy was known as someone who could really put in the work on the county level. She and her friends organized the county 4-H Food Booth and made hundreds of pounds of green chili for the infamous burritos. She also served on County Leaders’ Board, all while working a full time job as a single parent with two daughters. Judy is active in her church, in the University of Arizona Family Community Studies Alumni Committee, and continues to serve as a volunteer in Pima County, supporting her grandchildren’s 4-H activities now. At last count, she was still helping to arrange the small stock auction meal. If the best 4-H volunteers bleed green, then Judy’s blood is the richest green in the world. Judy is one of those people who are valued as an advisor to the agents. In that, she has served as an advisor to our agents for more than 40 years. Her impact on the program lives on in the lives of the hundreds members, volunteers and agents she has challenged to “Make the Best Better.”
Larry and Debbie Neuman
This husband and wife team led the Pusch Ridge Rider’s 4-H Club for 18 years. Long after their children exited from 4-H, they continued to lead the club and included their grown children as leaders of various projects. They postponed retirement in order to continue the legacy of Pusch Ridge Rider’s until a new leader was able to take over. Larry has always said, “I feel it is important to leave 4-H before you get grumpy and people want you gone.” He indeed did leave before this occurred and he is surely missed! The Ridge Riders club started out only with a horse project and through the Neumans’ efforts, added an incredible shooting sports project, among many others. Debbie led horse, beef, poultry and veterinary science projects through the years and Larry was instrumental in leading shooting sports, adding 3-D archery, muzzle loading, and other projects. Under Larry’s leadership, the club hosted several competitions at the state and local level. Also, Larry served as coordinator for shooting sports at both county and state levels. Debbie and Larry hosted a Japanese exchange student, further demonstrating their passion for all things 4-H related. They have fond memories of that experience. Both of these individuals are responsible, caring, reliable, dedicated members of the community, always willing to provide positive support and encouraging words. Giving to 4-H was an integral part of their lives for 18 years.
Linda Rice
Linda Rice became a 4-H leader because she wanted to pass on her passion for sewing and clothing construction. Five years ago, she called Apache County 4-H to become a 4-H leader and has been a dedicated certified leader ever since. She organized the 4-H club in Round Valley and taught 4-H members clothing construction skills. She supported them at the county fair and was always present to watch them model. Last year, one of the members entered their silk jacket and skirt at the state fair and received a first place. When Linda was a teen, she stayed with an aunt one summer who really got her involved in sewing. She kept busy sewing and her mother bought her more fabric as soon as she finished one project after another. She has taken many, many sewing classes including sewing classes in college after taking home economics in high school. Most of her community leadership responsibilities have included her sewing skills. She has worked with women in her church group. She organized and implemented the Round Valley Preparedness Fair for three years. Four of the girls from Round Valley started with Linda as beginners five years ago. Every year she would challenge them to do something just a little more difficult. She was always there to guide them on their choices and advise them on construction techniques. Linda said that 4-H has influenced her life because she knows the girls on a different level. She knows that they are there because they really want to learn.
Dr. Richard Schorr
Dr. Richard Schorr is being inducted for his unending dedication to the 4-H youth, the preservation of Santa Cruz County’s ranching history and community involvement. Dick’s parents helped form the Apache 4-H Club in Patagonia in 1949, of which Dick and his brothers were members. The family then helped form the Mustang 4-H Club in Sonoita/Elgin, which is still in existence and being led by Dick’s oldest daughter, Anna Coleman. The first Santa Cruz County Fair was held in April 1950, where Dick was one of the first beef exhibitors, along with his fellow Santa Cruz County club members. After heading to college and veterinary school, Dick and his wife, Leonor, began Jesters 4-H Club and Pacesetters 4-H Club in Puyallup, Washington and were leaders for more than 25 years. All four of their children participated in 4-H until going to college as well. Dick’s grand-daughters have also carried on the 4-H tradition and continue to represent Arizona in high school and college. Dick gives many hours each year to the Sonoita historical Empire Ranch Foundation as well as coordinating youth activities for local schools to attend the Empire Ranch Legacy Days to preserve the ranching tradition. He is a nationally known reata artisan, holding workshops and teaching others about this lost art. He has sat on many committees and held Board positions in both Washington State and Arizona, always promoting 4-H youth involvement and community service/citizenship. Dick exemplifies strong character in all areas in his life, from his long- standing practice of veterinary medicine to his unwavering support of his family. He challenges youth to always work toward their goals, never give up on themselves and help others while striving for their goals. He is a true role model and it is an honor to induct him into the Arizona 4-H Hall of Fame.
Betty Skinner (deceased)
Betty was committed to children in her community through her work in 4-H, teaching youth in her church from 1957 to 1997, mentoring young men in the Boy Scouts of America (leading Webelos and Blazer groups, and later as a regional administrator), volunteering at Kirkpatrick kindergarten, and superintending Graham County Fair exhibitions for home preserving and gardening. Betty always found a way to create synergies between the organizations in which she worked. Boys who showed livestock in her 4-H clubs often went on to become Eagle scouts; girls in her homemaking clubs exhibited at the county fair. If a young person she knew wanted to show their rabbit at the county fair, she sponsored a rabbit club so that child could make their dream come true. If her homemaking girls wanted to make ketchup, they planted tomatoes in her yard. Betty first started sponsoring 4-H homemaking clubs in 1967, when she sponsored the “Country Cooks.” This club later merged with Pat Kirkpatrick’s Gingham Gals, a sewing club, where Betty was the assistant leader. Later Betty was assistant to Jean Goodman, when Pat Kirkpatrick left the Gila Valley. In 1982, she began a long and continuous role as a homemaking leader that continued through the 1990’s. Her “All Around Gals,” as the club called themselves, started out with basics like churning butter and making biscuits. She later expanded their activities to sewing and vegetable gardening, introducing her 4-H girls to the basics of where food and clothing come from. She taught her charges that good citizenship begins in the home through simple acts of self-sufficiency,personal preparedness and learning new skills. Most of her All Around Gals are now mothers and teachers themselves. Betty worked under Graham County Extension Agents Darleen Kurtz, Nancy Edgar, Katharine Dolcator, and Carol Willis. In 1982, and continuing through 1993, she also started a series of livestock clubs ranging from sheep, poultry and rabbits to swine. Her son Tim was later awarded recognition as a Master Breeder by the Arizona Poultry Association. Tim’s start was working to earn his Clover & Shield award, with his mother as a 4-H poultry club leader. During her time as a livestock club leader, her members won multiple best of show awards for sheep, swine and poultry. Betty represented Graham County 4-H clubs at regional and national conventions in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Las Vegas, Nev., Cheyenne Wyo., and Washington D.C. In 1993, the Boy Scouts of America awarded her their highest accolade: the Silver Beaver.
Renea Tartaro
Renea has been a part of 4-H for 10 years. Renea has been a staple in the lives of the children of Parker and La Paz County for many years. Renea started her career as a Preschool Teacher and eventually came to run the preschool and after school program at the Gingerbread House. Renea was the school secretary for Le Pera Elementary School for twelve years. Renea is currently the Parker Unified School District’s student information system manager. Renea is not only a dedicated employee but she also dedicates her life to helping children, whether she is helping with homework or teaching 4-H members how to raise, care for and show their small stock animals. Renea has been a small stock leader for eight years. She has served several terms on the 4-H Leader’s Council as well, serving as the co-leader for the Best N Better Community Club. Renea goes out of her way to teach her 4-H’ers and spends hours with them asking them questions, and showing them the moves on how to show their animals at shows and the fair. She works hard to make sure the members have all of the knowledge and skills needed to raise their animals properly. She has helped to add membership in 4-H from some of the outlying communities in La Paz county. She also has worked tirelessly to bring the 4-H Poultry program back to La Paz County after many years of lack of interest. Renea has two children of her own, both former 4-H members, but has become the “neighborhood mom” to many other children.
Nathan Watkins
Nathan joined the San Pedro Valley 4-H Club in 1972 has been involved with 4-H at some level ever since. His favorite projects were livestock and livestock judging. Nathan made many life-long friends through 4-H and even though they didn’t really know each other when they were young, he competed in the show ring against his future wife, Jackie, at the Cochise County Fair. His children have all been actively involved at the club and county levels from CloverKids to college. Nathan and his family were selected as the Cochise County Outstanding 4-H Family in 2008 and he was selected as the Outstanding Leader in 2009. Nathan and Jackie have been project and community leaders of the Double Adobe 4-H Club since moving to the Sulphur Springs Valley in 2001 and “retired” in 2011. He has served, and continues to serve, as the treasurer of the Cochise County Jr. Livestock Council for many years as well as co-superintendent of the sheep and goat barn. He is also a member of the Cochise County Extension Advisory Board, Elfrida FFA Advisory Committee, Cochise County 4-H Council and the Whitewater Draw NRCD Board. He firmly believes that one needs to be involved in their community and their children’s activities.
Gary Watson
Gary Watson is currently serving as Chairman of the Mohave County Board of Supervisors, in his first year of his second term as a Supervisor for District 1. Gary is a native of Arizona, born in Phoenix. He attended school in Kingman for grades 1 through 12, studied at the University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany with the American Institute for Foreign Study, and graduated from Northern Arizona University in 1971 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. In 1959, Gary was a member of the Forceful Feeders 4-H Club and raised his first Market Steer and exhibited it at the 1959 Mohave County Fair. What he remembers most of his 4-H years is getting up very early every day to feed the livestock. This taught him a great deal about personal responsibility, commitment and community involvement. Gary believes that 4-H teaches young people respect for nature and inspires good citizenship. 4-H gives a broad perspective to our young and teaches them the rewards of service to others. Gary served as Councilman and Vice Mayor for the City of Kingman from 1978-1982; Mohave County representative to the Arizona State Board of Directors for Community Colleges from 1987-1994; Chairman of the Board for the Arizona Community Colleges from 1993-1994, and is a strong supporter of Mohave County Cooperative Extension and the Mohave County 4-H Youth Development program.
Lori Willman
Lori Willman was born and raised in Arizona. A Flagstaff resident, Lori was a 4-H’er in Coconino County for five years, raising and showing dairy goats. She received a Shield & Clover award for winning dairy goat demonstration at the State 4-H Challenge competition. After high school graduation, Lori continued her love of 4-H by becoming a goat project leader and served for one year as the community club leader for Cinder Hillbillies 4-H. A leader for 13 years, she continues to help members learn goat showmanship and provides technical information for health and nutrition. Lori has provided her expertise as a judge for the annual Southern Coconino County Demonstration Contest Day. She was also the Coconino County Fair Goat Department Superintendent for 20 years before retiring from that position in 2011. Lori was the driving force behind adding pet goat and pack goat categories to the Fair. Although she is no longer a superintendent, Lori continues to volunteer for the Coconino County Fair as an announcer for the livestock shows and as a judge for the goat section of the Round Robin Showmanship Contest. She has also been a member of the Livestock Grievance Committee. Lori is a lifetime member of the American Dairy Goat Association and has been employed for 25 years as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Physical Therapy Technician at Flagstaff Medical Center. In addition to her 4-H activities, Lori enjoys playing the flute and saxophone, traveling, and doing crafts.
Graham Wright (deceased)
Graham Wright was involved in 4-H throughout most of his life, with most of those years serving Arizona 4-H youth. After receiving his B.A. degree from the University of Tennessee in 1938 and M.A. from Vanderbilt in 1939, Graham served our country in five invasion theaters in Europe and North Africa as a U.S. Army Air Corp Flight Chief. Upon his return from service in 1945, Wright started his 4-H career, which spanned over three decades. He worked in both Extension and 4-H programs in Tennessee, Arkansas and Indiana. In 1954, he settled in Arizona where he would make a lasting impact as Arizona’s State 4-H Leader. During his 18 years as Arizona State 4-H Leader, Wright introduced the 4-H Club programs to a majority of Arizona’s Native American tribes. He also initiated and implemented 4-H Club Junior Leadership Training programs across the State. In 1970, Wright was instrumental in establishing and developing the Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation, which continues serving state and local 4-H youth. He retired in 1972 after 30 years of service. The legacy of Graham Wright’s 4-H professional career was honored in 2010, when he was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame. Graham and Marilyn Wright married in 1947 and have two children, Douglas and Emily. Marilyn enthusiastically supported Graham’s career in 4-H club work. Graham loved the 4-H program and his belief that our nation’s great strength is deeply rooted in the ethics of our forefathers. Graham was from the “Greatest Generation,” living a long, down-to-earth, fun-filled life devoted to his family and to mentoring youth to “let your own goodness and greatness shine.”