Meet the finalists: Arkansas 4-H Governor’s Award
By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
June 23, 2025
Fast facts:
- Four Governor’s Award finalists interviewed June 19
- Two finalists from White County, one each from Arkansas, Greene counties.
(825 words)
(Newsrooms: With art )
LITTLE ROCK — Horticulture. Wildlife. Photography. Fine arts. Four Arkansas teens
with widely varied interests have one thing in common: They are the 2025 4-H Governor’s
Award finalists.
On Thursday, Caitlin Cooper and Ellie Ferren of White County, Connor Henry of Arkansas County, and Victoria Hickman of Greene County, completed a final round of interviews with judges for the highest honor bestowed by the Arkansas 4-H youth development program.
Following the interviews, the four enjoyed lunch with Gen. Jay Silveria, University of Arkansas System president, along with leadership and staff for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service and its 4-H program.
Each of the finalists earns a $1,000 scholarship and a commemorative glass bowl. The Arkansas Governor’s Award winner earns a $3,000 scholarship and a trophy in the form of a silver tray.
“I really enjoy days like today where we get to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of these 4-H teens,” said Shannon Caldwell, who heads programs at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center, the state hub for educational activities. “Each of them has already made such a positive impact on their community. They really live the 4-H motto to make the best better.”
The judges had their hands full trying to make a decision among the four.
“Choosing one is among the hardest things I’ve ever done,” said Christina Breckenridge, chief of staff for the Division of Agriculture and a past judge.
The winners will be announced during the state 4-H O-Rama event, being held July 21-24 on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville.
Caitlin Cooper was the 2024 state winner for her project in Outdoor Education/Recreation and Wildlife Management. She has served on the 4-H leadership team as the Delta District vice president. Cooper served on Sen. John Boozman’s youth cabinet, with other 11th and 12th graders. She’s a third-generation 4-H member after her grandmother and father.
“What stands out most about Caitlin is her ability to lead, stay positive and take on challenges with confidence. She is great at working with groups, making connections, and keeping a forward-thinking attitude,” said Bethany Leonard, 4-H civic engagement program associate, in a letter of recommendation. “She has taken every opportunity given to her and turned it into a chance to learn and improve.”
Ellie Ferren was the state winner in Gardening/Horticulture in 2024. Ferren, who has loved gardening since age 6, is the state’s youngest Master Gardener. “It’s fun because I get to be outdoors and get dirty!” she said.
Ferren served as an Arkansas Rice Rep, was a member of the County Forestry Team, and leads the Green Thumbs 4-H program, a youth program at the intersection of 4-H and the Master Gardener program. She completed Rodney Smith Jr.’s 50-yard challenge, volunteering to mow lawns for single parents, veterans, elderly neighbors and anyone else who could use some help. She also has more than three dozen community service projects to her name. Ferren also loves art and paints when she can.
“What really impresses me about Ellie is that not only is she learning new skills and acquiring knowledge in her 4-H project area, but she is using that to benefit others,” said White County 4-H Agent Jan Yingling. “Along with her undeniable talent, Ellie is an absolute joy to be around. She is a true team player and always manages to be professional and bring out the best out of others.”
Connor Henry was the state winner in photography in 2023 and was recently inducted into the Arkansas 4-H Hall of Fame. Henry is just finishing up his term as Arkansas 4-H state president after serving as the state 4-H secretary the previous year.
Henry has a keen interest in technology and imagery, being part of the 4-H Tech Changemakers and the 4-H Video Crew. He hopes to apply both of those interests to a future career in engineering.
“Connor is always the hardest working person in the room,” said Cindy Dabbs Phillips, Clover Kids 4-H leader and program tech for the Arkansas 4-H Tech Changemakers. “He willingly does any job. Even though he was just elected state president, he was one of the last people to leave state O-Rama because he stayed to help pack up all the video crew equipment.”
Victoria Hickman was a state winner for Arts and Humanities: Fine Art. A member of the 4-H Video Crew, Hickman was also a winner at state O-Rama for vocal music, food quiz bowl and beef quiz bowl.
Her community service work includes donating items to tornado relief efforts, placing flags on veterans’ graves and supplying food for those in need. She was the Brady Homemaker Award recipient in 2024 and advanced record book winner in 2023. Hickman is also a strong advocate for those with disabilities.
Hickman said “4-H has been a guiding force in my life.”
“Victoria is very nurturing and has strength of character,” said Beth Spaunhorst, senior vice president of Unico Bank in Paragould. “She cares about other people and is always willing to lend a helping hand. I am looking forward to the many positive impacts that Victoria is going have on our community in the future.
The Governor’s Award was created in the early 1980s by then-4-H director, Darlene Baker Millard, as a way to recognize high-achieving Arkansas 4-H members.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us 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: Mary Hightower
mhightower@uada.edu