COLUMBIA CO., N.Y. — Patty Ross, a Greenville resident, has been a 4-H club leader for 24 years. This year she was selected to receive the Dot Ball Memorial 4-H Leader Award from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties’ 4-H Youth Development Program.
This award is presented in the memory of Dorothy Ball, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 89. Wanting to help her children and other neighborhood children, Dorothy started a 4-H club, the West Copake Lassies, in 1954 which she led for twenty years. After that she continued to support 4-H as a public presentation and county fair judge for an additional twenty years.
Ross is the quintessential 4-H club leader who has held on to traditional ideals still relevant in today’s world. She meets regularly with her club, supports the election of officers and holding of club business meetings, and expects member participation in 4-H public presentations. These may be traditional aspects of 4-H clubs but they continue to be meaningful and important learning opportunities. Patty is a caring 4-H club leader and strives to find a place for every one of her club’s members so they can all succeed.
Patty sees as important to the growth of her 4-H club members participation in club community service, where, this year the club raised over $500 as they participated in the Walk to End Alzheimers and promotion of 4-H, where this year they put together a club display at their local library. But, Patty is much more. Outside of her 4-H club Patty has spent countless hours helping 4-H members to sew their first or second article of clothing so they could participate in 4-H Fashion Revue. She is always willing to offer her skills as an evaluator or teacher. And, for our Greene County 4-H members, she is instrumental in the organizing of their local Greene County Youth Fair.
In recognition of this award Patty was presented with a gift certificate to one of her favorite local restaurants where she can enjoy a night out (hopefully without the kids).
Also recognized this year are 4-H club leaders who have attained five-year increments of active involvement. They received award pins and certificates at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties Annual Meeting. They are:
Five year silver award – Tammy Clogston, leader of the Barn Buddies 4-H Club; Dorthee Leifer, project leader of the Wilderness Workers 4-H Club; Alisha Schmidt, leader of the Greene Earth 4-H Club; and, Laurie Schmidt, project leader of the Greene Earth 4-H Club.
Ten year gold award – Laurae Hoffmann, project leader of the Udderly Impossibles 4-H Club; Nicole Seipp, leader of the Shadow Sisters 4-H Club; Kristi Ross, project leader of the Medway Mountaineers 4-H Club; and, Rita O’Leary, leader of the Shooting Stars 4-H Cub.
Fifteen year pearl award – George Beneke, project leader of the Country Cousins 4-H Club.
Forty year diamond award – Roy Denniston, project leader of the Buccaneers 4-H Club.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. The programs provided by this organization are partially funded by monies received from the Counties of Columbia and Greene.
4-H is New York’s only youth development program directly connected to the technological advances and the latest research at Cornell University. 4-H participants learn leadership, citizenship and life skills through hands-on projects in three primary program areas: science and technology; healthy living; and citizenship. To find out more about 4-H and youth programs in Columbia and Greene Counties, contact us at 518-828-3346 or Columbiagreene@cornell.eduor visit our website, www.ccecolumbiagreene.org . You can also “Like” us on Facebook…Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties.
–Linda Tripp, 4-H Educator
Cornell Cooperative Extension Columbia and Greene Counties
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