Induction of the 2017 Hall of Fame members took place at 4-H Forum in Grand Mound on October 20, 2017.
Franklin
Vicki Contini
Because they are so intertwined and overlapping, it is somewhat difficult to explain the contributions and impacts that Vicki Contini has made to the Washington State 4-H program. They are amazing in their depth and breadth at all levels, and they span an amazing thirty-three years. Vicki’s philosophy is simple and straightforward – “When I find something worth my time and effort, I don’t get bored working to support and improve it.”
Vicki began her 4-H journey in 1984 as a naïve parent of two young 4-H members enrolled in the horse project. This is not an unusual start for most volunteers. But the growth that her daughters gained through their 4-H experience impressed her so much that in a few years she stepped into the club leader position of a newly formed horse group. As her girls aged out of 4-H, Vicki found herself drawn further into the leadership of the county program. Between 1990 and 1996, she held volunteer leadership positions of Secretary, Treasurer and President of the Benton-Franklin County Council. During this time, Vicki also began her involvement with the Benton-Franklin Fair 4-H Horse Department; for the past thirty years, she has managed the database for class schedules and competitor results (for those who know, this is no small task).
In 1995, Vicki became the Southeast District Representative to the Washington State 4-H Advisory Board. She has held leadership positions on this board in the capacities of Secretary and President – the latter in 2002, during 4-H’s Centennial Celebration. In further service, Vicki was asked to represent the 4-H Advisory Board on the Volunteer Development Action Team. This was a group of Extension professionals developing an innovative online training module for the use of new 4-H Extension Educators and 4-H Volunteer Leaders. In support of that effort and because of her unique perspective and skills, she authored the module that dealt with finances.
In 1997, Vicki was hired as the Franklin County Extension Office Manager, which totally immersed her into all aspects of the 4-H program – from enrollment processes and volunteer training requirements to publication distribution and monthly newsletters. Overlapping and intertwining, going above and beyond the call of duty, Vicki continued to support parents and leaders by attending county council, horse committee and fair horse department evening meetings as a volunteer. Vicki said, “We always talk about the importance of ‘growing’ our youth. What we sometimes forget is that it is as important, if not more important, to ‘grow’ our adults.”
Vicki’s retirement from the Franklin County Extension office in 2014 did not retire her from the 4-H program. She continues to serve on the State 4-H Advisory Board and the county fair’s
4-H horse department. Again, her philosophy is simple and straightforward, “Adults who end their 4-H involvement with the graduation of their children miss the most exciting and rewarding part of being in 4-H.”
Snohomish
To say Kim Lobb is simply a volunteer in the Snohomish County 4-H Horse Program would be an understatement; but that’s how Kim feels about herself. She gives her time, talent, and dedication to scores of 4-H members across the state and expects nothing in return, except sometimes books, equipment, and room reservations!
Kim began her 4-H experience as the mother of a cadre of young, horse-crazed girls. As she noticed the program needed help, she gladly stepped in to assist and learn how to lead as a volunteer. Her club members became involved in the Hippology program and Kim, as usual, began tagging along and offering to help where needed. When approached by the program chair to consider assisting with Hippology sessions, to eventually become the program chair, Kim agreed. Her leadership of the county program has grown from Hippology practice contests to study nights and the eventual organization of a Horse Science series in partnership with Pilchuck Vet Hospital.
Kim encourages youths to chart their own direction, and works with them to figure out how to get where they want to go. Kim serves as a positive role model for other volunteers around her. She remains optimistic that the youth she touches will be able to do anything they want to do, and often goes out of her way to make it happen. She is willing to reach out to anyone, anywhere, to enhance our Equine Science program.
Kim has been a volunteer with the 4-H program for fourteen years. During that time, she has moved from club leader, to co-chair, then chair of a county contest, to chair of the State Contest. Kim has a way of infecting others with her enthusiasm for youth learning, and has been successful in recruiting other volunteers and parents to join her in the quest for helping our children learn. Kim Lobb is a humble leader. When thanked for her help by 4-H members for helping them become better students, Kim reminds them it was their work that gained them the better grades. When thanked by fellow volunteers for the hours she puts in to her 4-H work, she responds by thanking them for their help. For Kim, involvement in 4-H is not about recognition or achievement.
Kim has interacted with over 2,500 youth through her volunteer experience with 4-H. The impact made on their lives cannot be measured, but Kim will surely be remembered as a leader who cared about them, was willing to help them meet their goals, and was willing to go the extra mile to make something happen if need be – after all, that’s what Kim is all about!
Cowlitz
Maxine Neiman is in her 52nd year as a 4-H leader in Cowlitz County, beginning her 4-H service in 1965 as a leader in the Rough and Ready club in Kalama, a community club that has projects ranging from the traditional cooking, sewing, creative arts, and livestock to environmental stewardship, automotive, and from entomology to robotics. The club’s longevity and success is a result of Maxine’s leadership and vision and, most importantly, her passion to the kids and her commitment to purpose of 4-H.
Maxine has served in numerous officer positions in the Cowlitz County Leader’s Council, and for several years as Cowlitz County 4-H Superintendent in various Still Life departments of the county fair. For the last twenty years, her focus, along with the being the main club leader of the largest community club in Cowlitz County, has been her tireless efforts in making the Kalama Community Fair and the town of Kalama a better place for families and kids. When 4-H Leader Training was started in Cowlitz County in 1988, she was one of two “Train the Trainers” of the volunteer leader training provided by Dr. Jan Hiller, former 4-H Volunteer Development Specialist.
Maxine’s contributions are many. First and foremost – she has made a difference with kids. She is well respected by current 4-H leaders and she is a voice of experience and reason. She not only directs traditional delivery of 4-H through the Rough and Ready 4-H Club, but she has been providing an after school program one day per week in Kalama for the past five years. She does this solely as a 4-H Volunteer, not as a paid after school provider.
Maxine has been a long-time member of the Kalama Fair Board, and is tireless in her devotion to making sure that the small town of Kalama has a community fair. Most community fairs seem to be dwindling, but no so for Kalama – theirs is a vibrant and successful community fair, partly due to the efforts of Maxine, and her ability to encourage and empower others to participate.
Though much has changed in 4-H in the last fifty years, in terms of types of projects and delivery methods, Maxine has kept up with the times. She empowers other leaders, parents, and youth, and serves as a significant role model as a 4-H leader, reflecting exceptional values, skills, and abilities. She has been a past Cowlitz County “Leader of the Year” honoree, and was recognized in July 2015 by community leaders in Kalama as their Most Outstanding Volunteer. Maxine’s leadership and club are the “gold standard” for 4-H in Cowlitz County.
Spokane
Clarice Reilly and her impacts on Washington State’s 4-H program are still talked about, twenty years after her retirement. Marilyn Gorman, Spokane County volunteer, posted to Facebook on December 14, 2016, “Whenever I am at 4-H events, I mention Clarice’s name and tell about her inspiration to youth and parents – she always did the right thing.” Gorman also wrote, “…and we had the best 4-H Extension Agent (even if that wasn’t her official title).”
Clarice started in 4-H as a member; when she had her own children, she continued her 4-H career as a volunteer with the Country Kids Club of Spokane County. She was a volunteer for thirteen years (1965 through 1978) and is most proud of the fact that, at one time or another, all of her kids and grandkids were in 4-H. From 1969 to 1978, Clarice worked as a Spokane County Extension Aide in EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program). She then took a 4-H Aide (Program Assistant) position in 1978, serving through 1994.
As a 4-H Aide, Clarice had responsibilities in all aspects of the Spokane County program, from volunteer training to member enrollments. She developed a strong body of work in several additional areas that continue to influence the Spokane County 4-H program today. First, she mentored and facilitated the county’s Horse Council and initiated an All-County Horse Camp. Second, she began offering additional judging events in numerous project areas to provide youth with additional practice of skills and opportunity to qualify for State 4-H Fair participation. Finally, after receiving national training, she started the first BABES (Beginning Alcohol and Addiction Basic Education Studies) program in Washington State. Clarice trained volunteers to present the BABES curriculum to 2nd and 3rd grade children in rural classrooms in the Deer Park, Loon Lake, Riverside and Chattaroy School Districts. In 1990, Clarice received the WSU President’s Employee Excellence Award, highlighting her efforts and impacts of the BABES project.
In 1994, Clarice transferred to Pacific County, replacing Pat BoyEs, who took the helm of the State 4-H Program. Clarice maintained the continuity of the county program, instituted a Project Day Camp and also trained volunteers to present the BABES curriculum in Pacific County schools. Clarice retired in 1996, moving back to the Spokane area. In 1998, she received the Washington State 4-H Alumni Recognition Award for contributions to the Washington State 4-H Program. Clarice Reilly has lived a dedicated life to 4-H in that she has affected Washington State 4-H equally as much as she has been affected by it. She is a worthy candidate for induction into the Washington State 4-H Hall of Fame.