Anyanka Katz, of Webster, is the recipient of the 2021 Norman V. Ryan Scholarship through Monroe County 4-H Youth Development. Anyanka, a member of the Mariah Meadows 4-H Club, will be heading to Niagara University in the fall to begin her studies in Biochemistry.
A large portion of Anyanka’s 4-H experience has been learning more about horses. She was able to go to multiple other barns through 4-H as well. She said, “Talking to other kids and experiencing other methods, made me a better rider and greatly improved my horsemanship.” She learned a lot about horses, from care and riding to anatomy, injuries, and illnesses, and even how doctors treat and save animals. “As a result, I chose to pursue a study of biochemistry with a minor in public health because I want to become a medical doctor. I am currently planning to go into pain management after seeing how pain debilitates people and animals and prevents them from enjoying their lives.”
Anyanka credits her 4-H experience as an important part of her growth. “When I started with 4-H, I didn’t talk a lot. I lacked confidence and often just didn’t know what to say. My 4-H club gave me opportunities to talk about things I cared about, helped me explore new ideas, and gave me confidence in what I knew,” Anyanka said. “The confidence I gained was not only evident in my knowledge of horses or limited to 4-H. There were improvements in school and in my other activities. I was a captain my second year of junior varsity basketball and again my second year of varsity basketball. Academically, I graduated summa cum laude and as a National Honor Society member.”
Susan Coyle, 4-H Program Leader said, “It is a pleasure to honor Anyanka with the Norman V. Ryan 4-H Scholarship. Anya has been able to learn and develop life skills through her 4-H experience. It is particularly exciting to see her pursuing studies and a career field that were inspired by the experiences she took part in through 4-H.”
Through 4-H, Anyanka has been a role model to others on how to treat horses physically and emotionally, helped plan parties and winter fest as a teen leader, and helped less experienced riders at Intercounty. She has also been involved with volunteering in the 4-H booth at the State Fair by doing presentations and talking to fair goers about the 4-H program.
The skills and confidence Anyanka has gained in 4-H, coupled with the satisfaction of continued learning and community service, have prepared her for the transition to college.
The Norman V. Ryan scholarship is presented to a Monroe County graduating high school senior who has demonstrated leadership and community service. Special consideration is given to teens who are planning to enter a field of study or employment as a result of their 4-H activities and experiences.
The Monroe County 4-H Youth Development Program is offered through Cornell Cooperative Extension to the youth of Monroe County. Learn more at http://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/4-h-youthdevelopment.
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