Induction of the 2009 members took place during the State 4-H Forum in Grand Mound on October 16, 2009.
Clark
Jack Giesy served as the Clark County Fair veterinarian for over 40 years, and a 4-H leader for over 25 years. His commitment to supporting our youth programs has certainly had a positive impact on generations of 4-H families. The following is an excerpt from an article written by a 4-H’er in 2006. It describes the admiration reflected by the youth who have benefited from knowing Jack.
Widely recognized as a member of the Executive Horse Council, State 4-H Fair Board, 4-H Equine Advisory Committee, Clark County Fair Board, Silver Buckle Youth Equestrian Committee, a judge at the National 4-H contest for the past twenty years, and not to mention, one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. Jack Giesy continues to amaze us with the strength and dedication he has shared with us dealing with the everyday challenges of being a veterinarian in Clark County.
Jack earned his DVM in 1965 and has practiced veterinary medicine in Clark County since then. He has always loved working with people, especially the 4-H community. “I wouldn’t be at the fair if it weren’t for 4-H…outstanding, bright kids…that’s why I’m there,” Jack says with a smile. “It’s just so humbling to have a positive influence on people.” And that’s exactly what Jack does.
Jack strives to become a role model, which he is, while demonstrating his many admirable qualities. The time and effort he has so generously dedicated to 4-H and other committees deserves the honorable recognition of nomination into the 4-H Hall of Fame.
Clarence Petty has served for over 30 years as a 4-H leader in Clark County. Three generations of Clarence’s family have participated in the Clark County 4-H program. He recently turned over the leadership of the Tailored-To-Ride 4-H Horse Club to his daughter, Pam West; a club that he has led for the last 20 years.
Under Clarence’s leadership, the Tailored-To-Ride 4-H Club has put on the Silver Buckle Horse Show, complete with educational clinics and the county’s largest tack sale. As an active member of our 4-H Horse Leader’s Council, Clarence started the county reining program, and he engineered the fairgrounds horse barn paving project. Now serving as vice president of Area 4 (Battle Ground), Clarence’s involvement includes Battle Ground Harvest Days, managing the horse show, working at spaghetti feeds, and keeping their non-profit status current. Clarence was also recognized as Clark County’s 2008-2009 Outstanding Leader.
Clarence has served on the board of directors for the Parks Foundation, and chaired their grants committee. In 2006 the foundation recognized Clarence for his many hours of service, including his work on fundraising efforts, the redesign of a park gazebo and construction of horse paths across the county. Clarence is now serving has president of the Northwest Harvest South, an organization responsible for collecting food for the hungry. His commitment and dedication has modeled the 4-H spirit of generosity and community service.
Lewis
Harry and Edna Wulz led the Forest 4-H Club for 33 years, including projects in clothing, sheep, foods, dairy, goats and poultry. In 1989 Edna received her 30-year leader pin. Harry was head of the dairy project (before we used the term “leader”), and he served as chaperone/herdsman for Lewis County at the State 4-H Fair for about 15 years. He also served as leader of the sheep department at the Southwest Washington Fair for a number of years. Together Harry and Edna hosted clinics for dairy, sheep and goats, and Edna held trainings in cooking and sewing. Every year they would help club members design and build a parade float for nearly every parade in the county.
Harry was a market sale committee member for years, and was part of establishing the Lewis County Trust Fund. Edna and Harry both served on the trust fund committee for many years. Together, Harry and Edna managed the Kouncil Kitchen food booth at the SWW Fair, usually winning a friendly competition with some other food booths for staying open the longest hours.
Harry and Edna had a great impact on 4-H in Lewis County, putting in innumerable hours for our youth, because of the love they both had for the kids. They both have previously been recognized by Clark County 4-H as Honorary Members and Leaders of the Year.
Edna passed away in 2000, and Harry lives on their home place where he still helps out the 4-H youth and his neighbors when possible.
Grant/Pierce
Mara Hansen began her 4-H career in Grant County as a 4-H leader in the 1960’s. Her dedication to the 4-H program led her to roles as county fair superintendent and 4-H camp director, and her involvement in fund raising for the 4-H still life building at the fairgrounds. She became a mentor and role model for 4-H members across Grant County; many who have become State 4-H Ambassadors.
Mara served six years on the State 4-H Fair Board, including terms as president and vice president. In the mid-1980’s she moved to the Puyallup area and took on the role of State 4-H Fair recording secretary-treasurer. Soon after that, Mara became the fair manager; a position she held for the next 15 years.
As fair manager, Mara always kept the best interest of our 4-H members in mind. As changes happened on the fairgrounds, Mara worked to adjust schedules and show locations. During one such change, she redesigned the 4-H kitchens to enable fair-goers to easily see what 4-H members were doing in the kitchens. A few years after that, Mara meticulously redesigned the layout for relocated 4-H displays.
Mara built an excellent relationship with the Western Washington Fair. She is well respected by the WWF staff and was a real team player in every aspect of the fair. Mara worked closely with the State 4-H Fair Board to draw on their skills in improving the fair and cutting expenses. Five years after retiring as the fair manager, Mara is still active as a fair volunteer and award sponsor. Mara and her husband, Jerry, sponsor awards for the State 4-H Fashion Revue each year.
Stevens
Dick and Betty Garvey started a 4-H club more than fifty years ago that is still active in Stevens County. Betty was main club leader and sewing project leader for over 20 years, while Dick was project leader for the sheep project.
As a result of their 4-H involvement, the Garvey’s quickly took on leadership roles in the Northeast Washington Fair. Dick served on the fair board through the 1960’s and 1970’s; part of that time as president. Garvey’s also helped start a potluck lamb dinner to promote the 4-H sheep project, and served on the 4-H and FFA livestock sale committee – organizing the event and recruiting buyers. Even now after retirement, you still find Dick and Betty at the fairgrounds painting, cleaning and building.
Dick served many years as president of the Stevens County Cattleman’s Association, and Betty is still involved with the Cowbelles. Dick also served as president of the Tri-County Wool Growers Association, during the 1950’s.
Thinking ahead of the legacy they want to leave, they have left a large scholarship endowment with WSU, for Stevens County youth to further their education. They have donated $1500 each of the last four years to the local 4-H program, to support 4-H members attending events outside the county, including the KYG Conference, State 4-H Conference, and 4-H Interstate Exchange.
Betty and Joe Parazoo have been 4-H leaders in Stevens County for over 30 years, with a combined total of 68 years of volunteer service. They have graciously served the youth and adults in 4-H in a wide variety of areas, which span the breadth and depth of what 4-H symbolizes.
Locally they have been leaders in horse, leather craft, beef, rabbit, bicycle, photography, rocketry, cooking, sewing and gardening projects. The Parazoo’s can always be counted on to provide educational programming, and stay until the last participant has a ride home—whether at County Activity Day, Sensational Saturday, or other 4-H events. They only ask, “What needs to be done, and how can we help?” We count on them to fill any role that is needed.
Betty has held various officer positions on the Stevens County 4-H Leaders’ Council, most recently as president. She has volunteered for years at the Northeast Washington Fair, where she served as superintendent in a number of departments. She was a member of the Fair Board over a period of ten years, holding different officer positions; and also organized and advised for the royalty pageant. She served as fair manager for five years before retiring. Betty is now the NE District representative on the State 4-H Fair Board, and attends State 4-H Forum annually.
Joe and Betty volunteer in the community through Betty’s leadership positions in Colville Eagle’s Auxiliary, Eagles District 12, Kettle Falls Scholarship Committee, Relay for Life, National Active and Retired Federal Employees, and Arden Old Timers Rodeo Association.
Walla Walla
Lois Garbe has been a project leader for the Touchet 4-H Club for 23 years, and served as a resource leader for our county program for 11 years. She served as County Leaders’ Council secretary for six years, and is currently serving her sixth year as a leader-at-large on the Council Executive Board.
At the club level, Lois was a sheep and sewing leader. She organized hayrides, Christmas caroling, potlucks, square dances, trips to 4-H sheep shows throughout the state, and chaperoned members to State 4-H Fair and summer 4-H camp.
Lois regularly volunteers for county 4-H activities, including the 4-H fair booth, parade displays, presentation contests, Super Saturday, and the achievement program. She has organized judging contests, fitting and showing clinics, and helped with the 4-H market sale. She has judged record books and served on our 4-H scholarship committee. Her most significant impact on 4-H is the effect of the fund raising program and endowment fund she helped set up for our 4-H Leaders’ Council. Through her efforts, our council linked up with the Albertsons Community Partners Program and has received quarterly funds for a number of years.
In addition to her 4-H involvement, Lois served on the Extension Advisory Board, was sheep superintendent for many years, assists with the educational program at the fair, and served as secretary for the Blue Mountain Sheep Producers for about 20 years.