By Andi Anderson
Several Iowa 4-H youth development professionals with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach have been honored nationally for their outstanding contributions to youth development.
Their achievements were recognized by the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals, an organization that awards excellence each year at the state, regional and national levels.
Award-winning Iowa 4-H professionals were honored on October 29 at the NAE4-HYDP Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. These recognitions highlight the strong commitment of Iowa 4-H staff to improving opportunities and experiences for young people across the state.
Two Iowa professionals received the national Achievement in Service Award: Alexa Groff, 4-H STEM education specialist, and Jane Koppen, Kossuth County youth coordinator. This award is presented to professionals who have served more than two but fewer than seven years and remain actively involved in youth programs.
Three additional staff members were awarded the Distinguished Service Award for over seven years of active service: Tillie Bell Good, 4-H staff and volunteer development manager; Megan Freel, Polk County youth coordinator; and Marci Vinsand, Polk County youth coordinator.
Regional awards also highlighted Iowa’s leadership. The Excellence in Urban 4-H Programming Award went to the team of Megan Freel and Marci Vinsand for their work on the Polk County Chick Hatching Program. This program, delivered in partnership with Des Moines Public Schools, offered hundreds of students hands-on learning about the chicken life cycle.
The Social Media Piece Award was presented to Alexa Groff and Lexa Krause for their posts promoting Iowa 4-H Computer Science Week, which reached more than 11,800 people and encouraged participation in computer science and AI activities.
At the state level, the Iowa Association of 4-H Youth Development program recognized several outstanding contributions. Awards included the Educational Piece Award for the AI Art Challenge created by Clark Colby and Alexa Groff, the News Story Award earned by Alexa Groff and Sydney Peterson, and the Published Photo Award presented to Marci Vinsand for her image “Future Showman.”
Additionally, Alexa Groff earned an individual Social Media Piece Award for promoting the Junior State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa.
“These awards reflect the dedication and creativity of our Iowa 4-H professionals,” said Mitchell Hoyer, Iowa 4-H state program leader and director. “Their recognition is a testimony to the dedication and innovation our staff bring to youth development every day, ensuring Iowa’s young people are ‘Beyond Ready’ to lead, serve and thrive in a rapidly changing world.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-brzozowska
Categories: Iowa, Education