PAW PAW, Mich. — Amanda and Blake Towne are 4-H members from the Van Buren Voyagers and Young Explorers 4-H Clubs in Van Buren County. They were selected as winners in the 2020 Michigan 4-H State Award in the Junior division. Amanda won the Shooting Sports area and Blake won the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The Michigan 4-H State Awards Program took place June 24, 2020. While 4-H members were unable to gather at Michigan State University (MSU) as in past years, the Recognition Celebration was able to be held via zoom webinar allowing 4-H members along with their family and friends to attend the program.
A Michigan 4-H State Award is the highest honor bestowed on Michigan 4-H members. The Michigan 4-H State Awards Program is an opportunity for 4-H members to receive recognition while developing their leadership skills and personal portfolio. The program features a Junior and Senior division in 20 project areas as well as a group award category. To enter the competition, 4-H members submitted an application that includes a cover letter, resume, 4-H story, and questions that highlight the life skills, project content knowledge, leadership development, and civic engagement experiences 4-H members have gained through their 4-H projects. Applications were scored, and up to twelve delegates in the Junior, Senior, and Group divisions for each project area were invited to represent their county in the statewide competition.
4-H members selected as delegates were provided opportunities to participate in exclusive training on interviewing skills and networking. Senior delegates and Groups advanced to further competition where they completed a video conference interview with the selection committee. A virtual networking experience was provided for delegates to meet with members of the Michigan 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees prior to the Recognition Celebration.
This year, 64 youth representing 25 counties applied for a 4-H State Award. Amanda Towne has been in 4-H for eight years and is in the Young Explorers and the Van Buren Voyagers Clubs. She lives in Grand Junction and attends Paw Paw High School. Amanda is a teen leader and is currently the Secretary in the Van Buren Voyagers Club and has been the Treasurer in the past. She has shown dogs, cats, draft horses, chickens, and goats. Amanda is also active in shooting sports and environmental science. In school she is a member of the Cross Country and Track Team. After graduation, Amanda plans to study Biology and Law to pursue a career with the Department of Natural Resources.
Blake Towne is 14 years old and has been in 4-H for eight years. Blake is a member of the Young Explorers Club and the Van Buren Voyagers Club, where he has served as an officer. He lives in Grand Junction and attends Paw Paw High School. In 4-H, Blake shows dairy goats and poultry and is also a member of the Van Buren Voyagers Envirothon team. In school, Blake is a member of the Paw Paw High School Robotics Team and Cross-Country Team. Blake’s hobbies are drawing, playing piano, and performing in musicals. When Blake graduates high school, he plans to pursue a degree in engineering.
The Michigan 4-H State Awards Program is open to all 4-H members ages 13-19. For more information, visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/4_h_scholarships_and_recognition_program/4-h-awards-and-recognition-program/youth-recognition.
To learn more about Michigan 4-H Youth Development, contact your local MSU Extension office or visit the Michigan 4-H website.
— MSU Extension- Van Buren County
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