Kane County 4-H Foundation named four local 4-H members as scholarship recipients for 2022. Honorees were selected based on 4-H Youth Development program involvement, 4-H achievements, community service, school involvement, and future plans. High school seniors and post-high school students enrolled full-time in an educational program, were encouraged to apply.
• Jordyn Block of Sycamore – $1,000 Mike Panek Memorial Scholarship – Jordyn is a 10-year 4-H member and a part of Burlington Ag 4-H Club. She is a graduate of Sycamore High School and will be attending Kishwaukee College in the Fall. She plans to transfer to a four-year university and become an animal feed nutritionist.
• Mackenzie Engel of Hampshire – $1,000 4-H Foundation Educational Scholarship – Mackenzie has been in 4-H for 10 years and is part of Burlington Ag 4-H Club. A graduate of Genoa-Kingston High School, she will attend Joliet Junior College with plans to become an animal nutritionist. Her long-term goal is to own a feed company.
• Evelyn Scheel of Batavia – $1,000 4-H Foundation Educational Scholarship – Evelyn has been part of 4-H for nine years and is a member of A Bit More 4-H Club. She was graduated from Rosary High School in Aurora and will attend Western Kentucky University in the Fall. She plans to study nursing and continue classes in both American Sign Language and Spanish.
• Erin Fidler of Genoa – $500 Bob and Alyce Konen Memorial Scholarship – A previous scholarship recipient, Erin was in 4-H for 11 years and a member of Burlington Ag 4-H Club. She attends Oklahoma State University, majoring in International Agribusiness. Erin’s goal is to travel the world and learn more about agriculture and solve problems to better feed the world.
All money for these scholarships are made available through fundraising efforts and private donations to the Kane County 4-H Foundation. Two new memorial scholarships were added this year, one to honor longtime supporter and volunteer Mike Panek, who was a 4-H alum and parent, and one in honor of the Russell Family, which has worked for decades with the dairy barn, fair board, and exhibitors. The Bob and Alyce Konen Memorial Scholarship recognizes 4-H supporters and was first available in 2010.
The Kane County 4-H Foundation supports many countywide events and activities including volunteer support, training, and recognition; 4-H Government Day; Kane County Fair activities and awards; educational scholarships; and general 4-H and University of Illinois Extension office support.
— Kane County 4-H Foundation