Arkansas State 4-H president Connor Henry inducted into Arkansas 4-H Hall of Fame
Scores of 4-H members strive to earn a place in the Arkansas 4-H Hall of Fame, but the annual award goes to just one person who has achieved at the very highest level.
June 5, 2025
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- Connor Henry of Arkansas County and Jack Berryhill from Hot Spring County honored as Arkansas 4-H Hall of Fame finalists
- 43 4-H members from 21 counties named 4-H Teen Stars for achievements, leadership, community service
(768 words)
(Newsrooms: Photos)
LITTLE ROCK — Scores of 4-H members strive to earn a place in the Arkansas 4-H Hall of Fame, but the annual award goes to just one person who has achieved at the very highest level.
Connor Henry, a third-generation 4-H member from Arkansas County, was inducted into the Hall of Fame on June 4 during the Arkansas 4-H Teen Leaders Conference. The event and ceremony were held at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center, where the names of Arkansas Hall of Fame recipients are displayed.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized for my service and achievements in 4-H,” Henry said. He said he plans to attend the University of Arkansas this fall to study engineering.
Henry currently serves as the Arkansas 4-H state president. During his 13 years in 4-H, Henry was a Teen Star, 4-H Ambassador, and Governor’s Award finalist. He has served as a 4-H camp counselor and participated in several national 4-H events including National Congress and Citizenship Washington Focus.
He is a member of the 4-H Tech Changemakers, a program through which 4-H members teach digital to skills to their peers and adults. Henry has taught cybersecurity, password safety, and resume building to various groups of students and adults. He’s also member of the statewide 4-H Video Crew that assists with live streaming 4-H events.
“Connor has successfully blended his love of technology and outreach,” said Lori Canada, a 2004 Hall of Fame recipient who introduced the finalists along with 1994 inductee Tracy Leonard.
“Connor’s story is one of consistent growth, unwavering service and deep belief in the power of 4-H to change lives,” Canada said. “His induction into the Arkansas 4-H Hall of Fame is a testament to a young man who leads by example and inspires others to do the same.”
Henry is the son of Heather and Chris Henry, a professor and water management engineer for the Division of Agriculture.
Jack Berryhill II from Hot Spring County, was the other finalist for the Hall of Fame award. He previously served as an Arkansas 4-H state president and received the 4-H Governor’s Award in 2023. During his 11 years in 4-H, Berryhill was a camp counselor, part of the 4-H Video Crew, and taught younger 4-H members about poultry showmanship. On the national level, he competed in National Livestock Skills and was selected for the National 4-H Congress leadership team
Berryhill now attends the University of Arkansas where he is a collegiate 4-H member.
Teen Star Awards
Arkansas 4-H recognizes outstanding members who have completed at least one year of 4-H work and demonstrated excellence in their project work, leadership and community involvement with the Teen Star Award.
John D. Anderson, head of the Cooperative Extension Service, and Debbie Nistler, head of Arkansas 4-H, presented the awards to 43 teens from 21 counties. The teens were selected from hundreds of applicants statewide. The recognition paves the way for them to move into higher positions of leadership as 4-H Ambassadors, who can then run for state officer positions.
The 2025 Teen Stars include:
Benton County — Lilyan Lubess, McKenzee Blevins, Lydia Brown, Rebekah Brown, Jesse Curran, Kinley Elkinton, Aaron Hinojosa, Esther Millsap, Lillian Moore and Graham Swarengin
Clark County — Danilynn Jackson
Columbia County — Nora Smith
Conway County — Ralen Criswell
Craighead County — Magdalene Hutton
Cross County — Henry Witcher and Mary Claire Witcher
Faulkner County — Elliot Martin
Franklin County — Katie DeWitt
Hot Spring County — Eli Ray and Blakelyn Riggan
Howard County — Asher Howard and Lillian Trombley
Independence County — Zachary Heinecke and Michael Otwell
Lonoke County — Grace Tustison and Abi Tustison
Madison County — Bradley Barron, Ryker Shofner, Cache Stokes and Phalynn Stokes
Montgomery County — Geoffrey Samons
Pike County — Carsyn Ballard and Cayden Ballard
Polk County — Ruby Hopper and Bella Horton
Pulaski County — Josef Isaiah Breshears
Saline County — Morgan Holden
Sebastian County — Elly Sanders
Sevier County — Emily Stamps
Washington County — Ellie Bowen, Finley Dick, Anvari Wood and Jacob Wynne
Arkansas 4-H is the youth development program conducted by the Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. It offers programs for youth ages 5-19 in every county in Arkansas.
To learn about Arkansas 4-H, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit Arkansas 4-H online at http://uaex.uada.edu/4h-youth/. To learn about other extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us 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.
Media Contact: Tracy Courage
Director of Communications-Extension
U of A System Division of Agriculture
501-658-2044