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!
Who should be our next 4-H Alum of the Month? Nominate them here!
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