By Karol Osborne, kosborne@agcenter.lsu.edu
MARKSVILLE — LSU AgCenter 4-H youth development experts from across the state were recognized for achievement in service at the Louisiana Association of Extension 4-H Agents annual meeting held Aug. 21-24 in Marksville.
The professional development program theme was Back to our Roots and drew over 100 members who pledged to dig deep to promote positive youth development experiences for Louisiana youth.
The annual meeting offers specialized training in program development, leadership and team building opportunities and provides program updates for AgCenter extension agents conducting 4-H programming in all 64 parishes.
The Louisiana 4-H program currently supports more than 280,000 youth in grades K-12 and about 9,000 youth and adult volunteers.
Seven association members were recognized by their peers for outstanding career contributions.
Winn Parish extension agent Walter “Donny” Moon received the award for Meritorious Service, an honor reserved for one member each year selected from previously recognized distinguished service award recipients.
The Distinguished Service award, which acknowledges members with more than seven years of service, was presented to Kayla Segura, of Acadia Parish; Karen Shirley, of Winn Parish; and Leslie Moran with the state 4-H office in Baton Rouge.
Camille Brady, of Ascension Parish; Brittany Bourg, of Cameron Parish; and Lekeisha Lucas-Powell, of East Carroll Parish, received the Achievement in Service award, which recognizes association members who have served with the AgCenter for three to seven years.
Jenny Simpson, of Plaquemines Parish; Shannan Waits, of Vermillion Parish; and Walter “Donny” Moon, of Winn Parish, were recognized for 25 years of service. Karen Martin, northwest region 4-H coordinator received a 30-year service award, and Ken Guidry, of St. James Parish, was recognized for 35 years of service.
Several members were recognized for achievement in marketing and promotion, receiving communicator awards on the regional and national levels. They will be recognized in October at the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents meeting in Columbus, Ohio.
Veronica del Bianco, AgCenter state 4-H volunteer specialist, won the national award for individual promotional piece.
A four-member team of Janet Fox, 4-H youth development department head; Randy LaBauve, AgCenter communication specialist; Christine Bergeron, AgCenter 4-H camp director; and Xavier Bell, LSU graduate student; received a national award for outstanding video program.
Southern Region awards went to Acadia Parish team members Megan Sarver, Kayla Segura and Mary Beth Leonards for Promotional Piece –Team, and Winn Parish extension agents Karen Shirley and Walter “Donny” Moon won the Excellence in Natural Resources/Environmental Education award.
The association elected Jeannie Crnkovic, Bossier Parish extension agent, as president-elect; Adriana Drusini, St. Mary Parish extension agent, as vice president; and Megan Plattismer, St. Landry Parish extension agent, as treasurer.