UACES Facebook Arkansas 4-H Foundation awards more than $100,000 in scholarships, sponsorships
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Arkansas 4-H Foundation awards more than $100,000 in scholarships, sponsorships

Aug. 4, 2025

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture 

Fast Facts:

  • 33 4-H members receive scholarships totaling $83,500
  • 42 Advanced Record Book winners qualify for sponsorships to National 4-H Congress in Atlanta in November

(998 words)

(Newsrooms: Awards of Excellence photos)
(Eds: ‘Blakley Thompson’ and ‘Ahvielle Wilson’ are c.q.)

LITTLE ROCK — Paying for college got a little easier for several Arkansas 4-H members.

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MONEY IN THE BANK — Sarah Lamb of Howard County was one of two recipients of an $8,000 Sue Marchall Scholarship in 2025. (Division of Agriculture image.)

The Arkansas 4-H Foundation awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships and sponsorships to 4-H members who have demonstrated excellence in their projects and leadership abilities.

“We're absolutely thrilled to celebrate our amazing 4-H youth,” John Thomas, the foundation’s managing director, said. “Their grit and determination have earned them these life-changing scholarship awards. Thanks to the incredible support from our ever-growing community of donors, we’re able to help fuel their dreams to shine bright and transform their communities for the better.”

The awards were announced July 23 during Arkansas 4-H State O-Rama, which brought more than 300 4-H members from across the state to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville for competitive events, workshops, tours, and fun. During their four-day stay, members attended a dinner with scholarship donors, many of whom were former 4-H members.

“I’ve seen students who are in PhD programs, in law school, in med school, and they’ve sat where you’re sitting,” Deacue Fields, vice president of agriculture for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, told them. “A lot of donors here have sat where you’re sitting, and you may be sitting in their place one day.”  

Fields thanked the donors who have given generously to create opportunities for youth. 

“You may not know the full value of your gift for years to come, but know you’re investing in future leaders,” he said.

Thirty-three 4-H members received college scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $8,000.

“These scholarships represent many years of project effort, skill development and planning by each of these 4-Hers,” said Debbie Nistler, head of Arkansas 4-H and youth development for the Division of Agriculture. “We are excited to watch them succeed in their next adventure.”

Sue Marshall Scholarship

The largest scholarship — the Sue Marshall Scholarship — provides $8,000 to recipients. Sarah Lamb of Howard County and Kaitlyn Spencer of Lonoke County each received the award.

Spencer said she plans to attend Arkansas Tech University and major in agriculture education, with plans to one day teach high school. She’s been in 4-H for 10 years with projects related to plants and agriculture. Spencer is also an FFA member. 

“Being a first-generation college student and trying to find my way, I’m fortunate for every opportunity I’ve been given in 4-H,” Spencer said. “My scholarship helps alleviate some of the college financial burden, so my main focus can be on academics.”

Ada & Tyrell Anderson Scholarship — $6,000

Rylie Bignar, Washington County 

Erica Williams Memorial Scholarship $5,000

Sylvanna Burgess, Jefferson County 

Robert D. and Betty F. Oliver Scholarship $4,000

Randa Rhoades, Scott County 

Rick and Lynette Cartwright Scholarship $3,500

Josef Isaiah Breshears, Pulaski County

C.A. and Joyce Vines $2,000

Rowdy Warren, Pope County

Farm Credit of Arkansas $2,000

Graceyn Moore, Benton County

Sawyer Beggs, Montgomery County           

Dennis Millard Memorial $2,000

Callen Shaw, Grant County 

Cecil and Selena Smith Memorial $1,000

Caitlin Cooper, White County

Gladys Klepfer and Bo & Peggy Cobb Scholarship $2,000

Josiah Lillard, White County

John W. White Scholarship — $2,000

Natalie Miller, Logan County

Zack O. and Jennie D. Jennings Scholarship $2,000

Kenlee Harris, Benton County

Division of Agriculture Livestock — $2,000

Kaylee Cheek, Marion

Koehler Carmack, Polk County

Katie Kennedy, Cleburne County

Christian Trombley, Howard County

Oaklawn Jockey Scholarship — $1,000

Jake Sawyer, Sevier County

Taylor Henley, Marion County

Maeda Asbell Scholarship — $2,000

Georgia Stockton, Clark County

Larry Sandage Arkansas Forage & Grassland Council — $2,000

Elizabeth Johnson, Crawford County

Raymond Cox Scholarship — $1,000

Daniel Darnell, Benton County

Kallie Franks, Benton County

4-H License Plate Scholarship — $2,000 each

Ava Blanchard, Fulton County

Caroline Epperson, Benton County

Ellie Ferren, White County

Arkansas 4-H Centennial Endowment — $2,000

Shelby Bateman, Pope County

Aaron Hinojosa, Benton County

Emma Holmes, Clay County 

Mr. Bill Outstanding Animal Sciences Scholarship — $2,000

Summer Carothers, Grant County

Bragg Family Memorial Scholarship $2,000

Connor Henry, Arkansas County 

Brady Extension Homemakers Club Scholarship $2,000

Sidney Morrison, Searcy County

Governor’s Award and Finalists

The Governor’s Award is the highest honor in Arkansas 4-H. This year’s recipient, Ellie Ferren of White County, received a $3,000 scholarship and silver platter.

The three finalists each received $1,000:

Caitlin Cooper, White County

Connor Henry, Arkansas County

Victoria Hickman, Greene County

The scholarships are funded by Dr. Joel and Ann Anderson, the Division of Agriculture, and the Dr. Darlene Millard 4-H Governor’s Award Endowment Fund.

Advanced Record Book Winners

More than 40 members were advanced record book winners and will receive $1,500 sponsorships if they choose to attend National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia in November. All 4-H members keep record books throughout their 4-H experience, detailing the impact of their projects, leadership and citizenship development, and community service. 

Ashley County

Mabry Davis, Animal Science 

Benton County

Lydia Brown, Fine Arts

Kolby Campbell, Environmental Science and Energy

Lillian Clinehens, Animal Science
Krystal Estrada, Fine Art

Zachariah Hinojosa, Healthy Living-Body

Zoey Hinojosa, Animal Science

Emily Jackson, Plants and Agriculture

Brooklyn Luedecke, Personal Development

Bailey Malone, Animal Science
Emma Millsaps, Animal Science
Graceyn Moore, Animal Science

Ramsey Puryear, Healthy Living-Body

Addison Robins, Animal Science
Lillian Swarengin, Fine Arts

Carroll County

Andrew Rexwinkle, Animal Science 

Clark County

Brady Daniel, Healthy Living-Body

Blakley Thompson, Animal Science 

Columbia County

Dawson Dolly, Animal Science 

Faulkner County

Ahvielle Wilson, Engineering & Technology  

Greene County

Hudson Twitch, Environmental Science & Energy 

Howard County

Anna McKinnon, Healthy Living-Body 

Independence County

Michael Dunehew, Animal Science

Annaleigh Mead, Healthy Living-Body

Logan Wiltrout, Animal Science

Samantha Williams, Fine Arts 

Johnson County

Karson Underhill, Environmental Science & Energy 

Lonoke County

Kaitlyn Caswell-Mogish, Animal Science

Kaitlyn Spencer, Plants & Agriculture

Madison County

Andrew Hendricks, Animal Science

Vallie Yancey, Animal Science 

Montgomery County

Opal Samons, Healthy Living-Body 

Pope County

Nate Bucci, Engineering & Technology 

Pulaski County

Josef Breshears, Personal Development 

Sebastian County

Mary Dunn, Animal Science

Drake Slate, Personal Development 

Sevier County

Charlie Collins, Environmental Science & Energy 

Union County

Parker Saffold, Animal Science 

Washington County

Joshua Bailey, Animal Science

Alyosha Wood, Engineering & Technology 

White County

Sadie Lillard, Healthy Living-Body

Delylia Sanderlin, Healthy Living-Body

 

To learn about Arkansas 4-H, visit https://4h.uada.edu/ or contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. To learn more about the Arkansas 4-H Foundation, visit https://arkansas4hfoundation.org/.

Follow Extension on Facebook at arkansas.extension and on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk. 

 

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system. 

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.  

Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution. 

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Media Contact:
Tracy Courage     
tcourage@uada.edu         
501-658-2044

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