Clinton Twp., MI - Brooke Richards, a Shelby Township resident and member of the City Slickers 4-H Club in Macomb County, was selected as the winner of the 2022 Michigan 4-H State Award in Gardening and Horticulture Junior division.
The Michigan 4-H State Awards Program took place June 22, 2022 during 4-H Exploration Days at Michigan State University.
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 submit 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 are scored, and up to 12 finalists in the Junior, Senior, and Group divisions for each project area are invited to represent their county in the statewide competition.
4-H members selected as finalists are provided opportunities to participate in exclusive training on interviewing skills and networking. Senior delegates and Groups advance to further competition where they complete a video conference interview with the selection committee. This year, 20 youth representing 16 counties applied for a 4-H State Award.
"I'd like to wish the warmest congratulations to Brooke on her receipt of the Michigan 4-H State Award in Gardening and Horticulture Junior division," said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel. "This recognition is a testament to her talents, knowledge and leadership ability. She is an extraordinary young person, and she clearly has a very bright future ahead of her."
Brooke has been a 4-H member for eight years. In addition to the gardening and horticulture project, Brooke participates in 4-H International Exchange, Michigan State University Tollgate Farm HomeGrown Series and Lake Superior State University’s aquaculture challenge. Brooke’s favorite 4-H memory was participating in a countywide craft day that the Macomb County 4-H Youth Council held. Brooke believes 4-H has helped her be a better person by providing experiences that have broadened her understanding of who she is and what project areas she may want to study more in the future.
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.
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