Idaho 4H News

Canyon County Fair--Jake Putnam photo

4-H Inducts 9 New Idaho Hall of Famers

Written by Bill Loftus

MOSCOW – Nine long-time 4-H volunteers will be honored as new inductees to the Idaho 4-H Hall of Fame during the annual statewide leaders’ forum Oct. 25 at Salmon, Idaho.

“It is our privilege to honor these citizens from across Idaho who have made a commitment to helping the state’s youth develop valuable leadership skills and have fun while doing so,” said Mary Jean Craig, University of Idaho Extension associate in the state 4-H office at Moscow.

Those honored include Gay Willis of Bonneville County, Janice Bosse of Latah County, Joan Parr of Cassia County, Eileen Bennett of Clark County, Helen Larson of Canyon County, Ken and Claudia Brush of Canyon County, Wallace Brown of Twin Falls County, and Barbara DeShon of Bonneville County.

The Idaho 4-H Hall of Fame was established as part of the 4H centennial celebration in 2002 to honor those who have made a significant impact on 4-H and the lives of thousands of members.Seven individuals and one couple have been selected to be inducted into the Hall of Fame during the 2008 Idaho State 4‑H Leaders’ Forum, joining the 100 inducted in 2002 and 14 inducted in 2005.

The contributions of those inducted include:Gay Willis, Bonneville County, began as a 4-H leader in 1979, quickly taking on more leadership roles. In 1982 she joined the 4-H Advisory Council and was secretary for about 13 years. She received Bonneville County’s Virginia Russell Memorial Award in 1986. Her favorite 4-H project was Teen Scene, which gave older teens real hands-on experience on how to budget, buy a used car, interview for a job, and even shop for an apartment.

Janice Bosse, Idaho State 4-H Office, provided the glue that held Idaho 4-H together behind the scene for 40 years. She began as a secretary for 4-H in 1961 but her responsibilities grew substantially before she retired in 2001. She managed communications with all 4-H Program donors, maintained the 4-H awards and recognition program and the 4-H endowment reporting system. In addition to working at the state level Jan served as a volunteer 4-H leader in Latah County. She received the University of Idaho Outstanding Employee Award in 1995, a Western Regional NAE4-HA Communicator Award in 1995 and the Secretary of Agriculture Honor Award for Support Services in 1998.

Joan Parr of Cassia County started her work for University of Idaho Extension in Cassia County focusing on 4-H, food safety, food preservation, leadership, child development, and communication skills. She served as Extension’s county chair and interim District III director.

Eileen Bennett of Clark County has served the 4-H program for 25 years. Besides teaching youth she has always been one to help out with fund raisers and community service projects. She came to the United States in 1947 with a Canadian combine crew and settled in Dubois to teach middle school. She became an American citizen in 1948. A 4-H leader guiding youth in numerous project areas, she also served as a past 4-H Council president. She organized and managed the Clark County Youth Horse Show for six years. A past charter member and secretary of the Clark County Fair Board, she received its Community Service Award. Helen Larson of Canyon County has devoted 48 years to Idaho 4-H as a club and resource leader and helping with county and district demonstrations. During her time as a club leader she worked with 959 youth. She was a devoted chaperone, accompanying youth to county, district and state level events. Her impact on 4-H will be long felt because her club members are now 4-H leaders, parents and committee members.

Ken and Claudia Brush of Canyon County have supported the educational opportunities for youth and 4-H for 20 years. Claudia has served on 4-H councils at all levels, most recently giving financial leadership to the 2008Western Regional Leaders Forum. They contribute to the State Leaders Association and provided scholarships to youth traveling to national 4-H events. In memory of their daughter, Cynthia, they endowed a college scholarship for 4-H members attending Vallivue High School, Caldwell. Wallace Brown of Twin Falls County has volunteered as a 4-H leader for 31 years helping youth with beef and leather craft projects and serving for many years as the 4-H beef superintendent and committee chair. He worked hard to improve the beef show ring, barn, and the quality of carcasses being raised by 4-H members. He made sure any youth who wanted to take a project could, no matter what their abilities or challenges may have been. He served as the Twin Falls 4-H Leaders Council president twice and received the State Distinguished Service Award in 1993. In 2007 the Twin Falls County Fair Board renamed the sale barn in his honor.

Barbara DeShon of Bonneville County for 38 years opened her 4-H club to all youths, especially those whose families struggled financially and those with physical and emotional challenges. She was a horse leader and put her time, effort and financial resources into the horse program so that many youth could afford the horse, tack and feed. Within her community she runs a Special Olympics program for local handicapped and challenged adults.