Induction of the 2002 members took place during the State 4-H Forum in Wenatchee on October 19, 2002.
Chelan
Melba Schumacher has served 4-H for nearly 30 years, and has supported 4-H for many more years. She began her 4-H career as a Club Leader when her children were 4-H age, and she stayed to see two of her grandchildren through 4-H.
In addition to her club leadership role, Melba served in several Chelan County Leaders’ Council offices, and was President of the Council multiple times. She chaired each of the Council’s committees at one time or another, but her special interest was in demonstrations and record books. She also served multiple terms on the State Leaders’ Board. Melba organized and conducted the Chelan-Douglas Horse Camp for many years. She still judges demonstrations, record books, and fair exhibits.
Melba took time to work with and explain concepts to her members and helped them develop the life skills that we value so much in 4-H. She chaperoned kids to State Conference long after her own children were past the age to attend.
It was Melba who first presented the concept of a horseback riding program for disabled children in Chelan County. The Spurs and Spokes 4-H Program is the result of her inspiration.
Melba and her husband raised three children and have numerous grandchildren. Melba is a surrogate grandmother to many other youth and young adults. She is a living example of what 4-H stands for—a sensible head, a loving heart, willing hands, and a healthy lifestyle.
Columbia
Art Sunderland was an active 4-H member in Spokane County, participating in livestock projects. He was a part of the Spokane Jr. Livestock Show for over 70 years, missing only one show during that time! In 1995 that show was dedicated to him.
As a WSC student, Art was a member of the College 4-H Club. He also worked part time in the Whitman County Extension office. After graduation he worked as a 4-H Specialist with WSC Extension Service out of Pullman. Art also served on National committees and judged various contests at the national level. He chaperoned delegates at the National 4-H Congress, and advised the College 4-H Club.
Art spent 35 years with Extension, most of that time in Columbia County as County Agent. He served on the Camp Wooten Board for over 35 years, and has been active through the years with 4-H camp programs. For six years Art served on the Washington State Fair Commission. He traveled to various fairs throughout the state helping guide the fair program, including 4-H youth activities.
Grant
George M. Delany earned a degree in Agriculture from Washington State College in 1934. During his time there, he was a member of the All Ag Club, Block and Bridle, and was a member of the WSC Animal Husbandry Livestock Judging Team. He was also a four-year participant in the WSC Little International Livestock Show.
George joined the Cooperative Extension Service as Grant County Extension Agent. He enjoyed enormous success, not only organizing 4-H clubs and working with 4-H’ers, but providing essential agricultural leadership in a large county.
George introduced 4-H in Grant County and founded the 4-H Camp at Sun Lakes. The camp provided 4-H experiences and leadership training for thousands of young people. He introduced the International Farm Youth Exchange Program to Grant County, and included Tub Hansen in hosting IFYE’s from India and Brazil.
George retired from WSU and Grant County in 1968. He passed away in 1987.
King
Charlotte Phillips trained as a 4-H member from 1961-69, grooming both dogs and horses through her local Snohomish County 4-H clubs. In 1965-66 she raised her first guide dog puppy, Peg.
From 1977-80 Charlotte was the 4-H Horse Leader for the Ropes & Reins Club on Lopez Island. She taught and mentored more than 100 youth in horsemanship, record books, public speaking, community service, and leadership. In 1978 she was the San Juan County Horse Superintendent.
With her move to Vashon Island in 1981, Charlotte was very instrumental in the successful negotiations of a 99-year lease with the federal government and subsequent development of a 43-acre community park – Paradise Ridge. This park now includes three equestrian riding arenas, 34 outdoor stalls, a 1.5 mile cross country course, more than two miles of walking trails, a community picnic shelter, and a multipurpose assembly building.
From 1982-99 Charlotte was Horse Leader for the Vashon Rock Riders. Also during part of this time, she served as King County Horse Judging Coordinator, Horse Bowl Coordinator and 4-H Dog Leader for Vashon Rock Hounds. In 1992 she and ten youth started a 4-H Natural Science/Arts & Crafts/Woodworking/ Photography club that is still going. Also in 1992, she was selected as a Washington State 4-H Leader of the Year.
In 1999 Charlotte started Vashon Island’s first Guide Dogs for the Blind 4-H club, Eyes of the Future.
Kittitas
Evelyn Rapp was the Kittitas County Extension Agent responsible for home economics programs for adults, family and youth from 1949-76. Her greatest achievements were in 4-H clothing programs, food preservation and safety, nutrition programs, efficient housing programs, home economics, and financial management skills for youth.
Evelyn was a “pioneer career woman” in Kittitas County. Because of her educational programs and example, family life was improved, women inproved their own lives, 4-H’ers gained skills and confidence to become teachers, Extension agents, interior designers, fashion merchandisers, owners of retail businesses, county commissioners, and competent family members.
Evelyn was actively involved in starting the Ellensburg Senior Center. She was also very involved in and provided programs for other community organizations in Kittitas County.
Okanogan
Stanley and Ernest Berg ranched for 45 years in remote Okanogan County. During that time, they became involved in 4-H youth activities in communities 30 miles to the east and west of their ranch.
For the past 35 years the Berg Brothers have been major contributors at the Okanogan County Fair fat stock sale. Prior to their retirement, they hosted numerous countywide 4-H judging and training contests at their ranch, and assisted other cattle, sheep, and horse ranchers throughout the area in doing the same. They let 4-H’ers select a 4-H steer from their herd of cattle and purchase it at below market prices. On two occasions they provided packhorses and gear for trail rides into the Pasayten wilderness for a group of 30 4-H members and leaders.
Stan Berg was a 4-H Leather Craft Project Leader for 22 years, and served as a 4-H Arts and Crafts Judge at the fair. Ernie contributed to Stan’s ability to be a project leader by assuming Stan’s ranch duties while he was away teaching area youth. Stan handcrafted and tooled dozens of saddles, bridles, show halters, purses, wallets, belts, and chaps that he awarded to 4-H members in recognition of their accomplishments, and gave as gifts to other 4-H leaders.
Upon retirement the Berg Brothers donated $300,000 to the Okanogan County Fair Board to build a much needed livestock sale pavilion and to establish an endowment for future capital improvements at the fairgrounds. In 1998, Washington State University announced that the Berg Brothers had established a $500,000 scholarship endowment fund for students enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Home Economics.
Ernest Berg, and the recently deceased Stanley Berg have made tremendous contributions to the 4-H program with their strong moral standards, hard work ethic, community contributions, love for children, and delightful personalities.
Snohomish
Beryl Epling has been a dedicated volunteer with the 4-H Dog Project and the Evergreen State Fair since 1959. Her club members raised the first guide dog puppies from Washington State.
In 1962 Beryl and two other 4-H families hauled old lumber from a dismantled dairy barn in Marysville and built the present dog barn. She served as the 4-H Dog Barn Superintendent for over 35 years. Over the years Beryl organized numerous classes including Dog Bowl, Costume, Groom Squad, and Tricks & Obstacle Course. Beryl has retired as superintendent, but continues to donate hundreds of hours a year refurbishing about 200 used trophies to be awarded to 4-H members during the fair.
Beryl wrote the original Snohomish County Dog Project Manual and organized the first Dog Judging contests at the county and state levels. Over the years she has judged area and county level public presentations, record books and judged for achievement pins.
Beryl develops awards for Spirit of 4-H, Steward’s Trophy, Superintendent’s Trophy, Herdsmanship pins, Blindfold ID, Rank Patch Awards, and various dog games.
Beryl has helped countless youth gain confidence in their abilities to speak in public, keep accurate records, and improve the care and training of their dogs. She has also helped numerous youth attain national awards and scholarships.
At the state level, she has served in offices on the State Leaders’ Board, judged at the State 4-H Fair, and hosted the first State Dog Leaders meeting.
Beryl is a past recipient of the State Volunteer Excellence Award; 1995 Evergreen State Fair Honoree, and 1991 Snohomish County Leader of the Year.
Stevens
Liz Bocker became involved as a 4-H parent in Stevens County in 1968. In 1969 she became Chair and Project Leader of the community 4-H club. Liz became the 4-H Horse Program Leader in 1975, and served in that capacity for approximately ten years. She was excellent in her management and interpersonal skills, and always focused on the youth rather than the horses. Liz was also involved with the fair and coordinated activities between the 4-H, FFA, and Open Horse programs.
In 1985 she became Program Leader for Public Presentations. She would involve teen leaders to work with other 4-H clubs successful demonstrations and public presentations. During this same time period, she was involved with the fair, 4-H Leaders’ Council, and Cooperative Extension Advisory Committee.
Liz was involved with the 4-H program in Stevens County for 25 years. Her progression through the ranks as 4-H parent, Club Project Leader, Club Chair, 4-H Horse Program Leader, 4-H Public Presentation Program Leader, and Dog Program Leader was truly extraordinary. She constantly focused on the growth and development of youth.
She still judges at the fair, special 4-H events, and public presentations.
She has also taught clinics in neighboring counties. Her involvement at the state level was limited by being a key partner in a small, diversified dairy farm as well as a mom. Liz Bocker is the ultimate 4-H volunteer in terms of skill level, ethics, commitment, and growth through the program.
Walla Walla
Robert Williams was on the Extension faculty for 29 years in five counties, and served as Chair of the staff for 27 years. During that time, he set up training workshops for livestock judging and helped 4-H members choose their 4-H projects. He started a 4-H Leaders’ Council in Walla Walla County. Many of the youth he worked with eventually became leaders themselves.
Bob developed an environmental training program for 4-H and schoolchildren. In 1946 he developed Camp Wooten, with the help of six Southeastern Washington 4-H groups and the Methodist Church. This was the first youth camp in the state of Washington. He was Camp Manager for eight years, and Camp President for 50 years. The camp is still in use by 4-H, church, and school groups.
Bob helped organize the Lincoln County Fair in Davenport. He was in charge of the Washington State 4-H delegation to National 4-H Congress in Chicago. He also was in charge of the 4-H sheep show at the Pacific International Livestock Show in Portland.
For 16 years, as Walla Walla County Agent, Bob had the major responsibility for the exhibitors portion of the fair. He was also on the Walla Walla County Fair Board for 10 years.
Bob has also been very involved in community organizations such as Kiwanis Club, Children’s Home Society of Washington, Community Service Council, Citizen’s Committee for Water Development in Walla Walla Basin and Northeastern Umatilla, Washington County Agents Association, and others too numerous to mention. He sat on the executive board of many of these organizations, and received various awards from them.
Yakima
Maravell Gonsioroski has been involved with the 4-H program in Yakima County since 1980. She has been involved in club leadership of the Country Caballeros 4-H club, Service Leader for numerous county events, and currently she is the 4-H Horse Council President. During her club leadership, the Country Caballeros received the Chevron “Best Project” Community Service Award and the Inez Walter Community Service Award in 1981 and 1982. She helped start the Western Games project in Yakima County in 1981, and served as the County Chair and State Fair Coordinator for the project. She was also instrumental in starting the Handicapped Riding project for Yakima County.
Maravell has also served as Yakima County 4-H Leaders’ Council Secretary, and Washington State Junior Horse Show Vice President and President. She oversees the Inez Walter Trust Fund. She has been a member of the 4-H Light Horse Training School committee since 1982. This annual three-day event is an opportunity for 4-H members with and without horses to learn skills and receive “hands-on” instructional assistance from professionals and volunteers in the equine field.
She actively organized an annual state-qualifying Western Games show. In 1990 Maravell received the Yakima County Leader of the Year Award. She has participated in five Western Regional 4-H Forums.
Her community involvement does not stop with the 4-H program. She has been actively involved in the Moxee Community Fund, Western Riders Assoc., East Valley Saddle Club, and Moxee City Council.
Maravell’s involvement and contribution to the 4-H program has been significant and far-reaching, influencing the lives of hundreds of 4-H’ers locally and statewide over the years.