Each year the Monroe County 4-H Program has the pleasure of accepting applications for two different scholarship funds to support learning after high school. The 2024 cohort of students have successfully navigated through in-person, virtual, and hybrid studies and are ready to step into post-secondary education in the fall.
The Norman V. Ryan Scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated leadership and community service and are planning to enter a field of study or employment because of their 4-H activities and experiences. In 2024 one teen was chosen to receive the distinction of the Ryan Scholarship, Gianni Robles.
Gianni Robles plans to pursue a degree in Landscaping and Entrepreneurship. His 4-H Career began when he joined the 4-H team as a Summer of Opportunity intern. Robles shared, “Landscaping and owning my own business has always been a dream of mine, which I’m proud to say that 4-H is helping me get closer to that dream. I believe 4-H has helped and shaped me to be a better landscaper but also helped with skills that I didn’t know before. The 4-H experience has been one of the best opportunities that I have taken so far and I will definitely recommend it to other teens that are going into the same course study as me.” He also shared an appreciation of life skills developed through 4-H participation. “4-H has taught me to have better communication skills in many of the activities that they have done,” said Robles.
The Ralph S. Harper Scholarship chooses students planning to pursue careers in agriculture, environment, home economics, or closely related fields. Awardees in 2024 are Madeline Basset and Nora Sansouci.
Madeline Basset participated in 4-H through the Posh Ponies 4-H Club. Basset shared about the impact of community service activities saying, “You can’t be a Posh Pony and not be dedicated to community service. My favorite ones were helping clean the parks in the spring, serving dinners to homeless and of course the removal of the intrusive water chestnuts in Braddock’s Bay.” Basset also spoke of the positive impact of 4-H Public Presentations. She was recognized with a proclamation several years ago and shared, “I was accepted at Syracuse University and the enrollment person told me that my 8 year old Proclamation awarded from County Legislator Steve Brew put me in her top 10 candidates. I was blown away that award on my application stood out.”
Nora Sansouci will be attending Monroe Community College in the fall to pursue a degree in Liberal Arts with an interest in education or social work. Nora has been an active member of the Posh Ponies 4-H Club. Sansouci participated in many community service activities and stated, “In some of the activities like Trunk or Treat, Valentine’s Day for Youth at Risk home, and feeding the homeless helped me realize I would want a career that helps people.” In addition to participation with her 4-H Club, Sansouci volunteers a few times a week at Heritage Christian Stables and works at Wondercare.
“It is a pleasure to watch each of these teen leaders grow and support others through their 4-H experiences. In reviewing applications and talking to these youth, the positive impact of their 4-H experiences is evident. We wish them all the best as they navigate their future education and career goals and look forward to hearing about their successes,” shared Susan Coyle, Monroe County 4-H Team Leader.
The Monroe County 4-H Program is offered through Cornell Cooperative Extension to the youth of Monroe County. 4-H is a worldwide youth development program open to all youth ages 5 to 19, who want to have fun, learn new skills, and explore the world. In return, youth who participate in 4-H find a supportive environment and opportunities for hands-on or “experiential” learning about topics that spark their interest.
Learn more about 4-H at http://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/4-h-youth-development.
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