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Alumni Spotlight: Cheryl (King) Pence



Our 4-H alumna of the month, Cheryl (King) Pence, was a 4-H member in Hardin County. She attributes her good public speaking skills to having to get up in front of other kids in her club to do a talk and a demonstration.


“Getting up in front of the other members was terrifying at first, but the members made me feel right at ease,” said Pence who believes that her early training made her feel more comfortable with public speaking today.

When Cheryl was a 4-Her, there were girls 4-H clubs and boys 4-H clubs. In girls club, she took part in sewing, cooking, and home improvement. One time she even represented her club at the county level as Best Groomed Girl, which is similar to today’s clothing events. She showed beef in the boys clubs which she loved immensely.

“I had many first place winners, and in my last year of   4-H, I had the Grand Champion steer. What an honor!” said Pence.

Through these projects she learned the hard work it takes to care for animals, she learned accurate record keeping, how to feed cattle to get the best rate of gain, and of course, competing in the show ring while learning good showmanship. Being at county and state fairs with her animals is a memory she will always have.

Cheryl has been extremely committed to 4-H throughout her life. She continues to be involved with 4-H as an adult. She was a leader, a parent volunteer, a 4-H Program Assistant in Delaware County for 6 years, and she has been a 4-H judge for 37 years.

“I have said it many times, I learn much more from these 4-H’ers than they do from me! It is a thrill to meet up with 4-H’ers I had in my clubs who are now adults and now have their own kids!” Pence said.

Deserving, she received the Friend of Extension award at the Annual Meeting of the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in March.

Pence said, “I think 4-H is the best youth program around…making today’s youth our leaders of tomorrow, and because of that my late husband and I are happy to present two 4-H scholarships annually along with other donations to 4-H.”


Thank you Cheryl, for your many years of dedication to Iowa 4-H!


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