Heidi Neumiller
Malina Strong Memorial Scholarship
To make the best better—a motto that has been ingrained in my mind for the past nine years—4-H has shaped who I am today. From volunteering at Clover Bud carnivals to competing at the state level, 4-H has been an ever-present part of my life, or at least as far back as I can remember. My 4-H community has been there through every challenge, offering support when I needed comfort and encouragement when I needed to step out of my comfort zone. The experiences and lessons I’ve gained from 4-H have been invaluable—teaching me leadership, the importance of helping others, and the determination to pursue any goal with unwavering resolve.
My 4-H journey began at the age of eight, with my mare, Josie. I eagerly attended every event, from local shows to educational opportunities, absorbing all I could, much like a sponge. At the time, my experience was limited, but my goals were big. With each event, I worked tirelessly toward becoming one of the top competitors. Throughout this process, my community—whether mentors, peers, or family—never gave up on me.
By my intermediate years, I had become a more competitive rider and discovered a deep passion for western equitation and pleasure riding. Without hesitation, my parents helped me find the perfect horse for my aspirations. After trying several horses, we finally met Scooby in January 2020. His playful, goofy personality won me over immediately, but it was his experience and skills in western pleasure that truly sealed the deal. By God’s grace, we were able to bring Scooby into our lives, and our journey together began. I worked hard to prepare for show season, exchanging chores around the property for western pleasure lessons and learning everything I could to improve my performance.
In addition to competing with Scooby, I was involved in numerous livestock projects, including raising hogs and a steer. I sold my hogs at the local Clayton County Fair and also showed my steer. Each experience taught me the importance of responsibility, time management, and hard work.
As a senior, Scooby and I formed a remarkable partnership, venturing to open shows across Washington and Idaho. I competed in multiple shows each year, pushing myself toward my ultimate goal of qualifying for state competition. In the fall of 2023, that goal became a reality, and I had the honor of competing at the state level with Scooby, placing 4th overall in bareback equitation. State was an unforgettable and rewarding experience, and it reflected the culmination of years of dedication and perseverance.
Over the years, I earned multiple high-point awards and belt buckles, but my proudest moment came in 2023 when I was honored as the Youth of the Year for Spokane County. This recognition was a testament to all the hard work, lessons, and memories I had gained through 4-H, but more importantly, it was a reflection of the incredible community that helped me every step of the way.
In conclusion, my 4-H journey has not only shaped me into the person I am today but has also provided me with a deep sense of community, resilience, and purpose. 4-H has given me the tools to face challenges, build lasting relationships, and strive for excellence in all that I do. As I look toward the future, I will carry the lessons and values of 4-H with me, always striving to make the best better.
Maia Siemers
High School Graduate Scholarship
4-H has given me so many opportunities and experiences but above all those it has made me a better person. I have learned so much in these past 10 years and I’m so thankful to be a part of such an amazing club. Teaching me how to be a good leader, and how to stay kind and positive, 4-H has influenced me in all the right ways. Everyone needs an organization/club like 4-H in their life to show them how important it is to pledge their head to clearer thinking, their heart to greater loyalty, their hands to larger service, and their health to better living, for their club, community, country and world.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve in many leadership positions in my club. Starting off as the treasurer helping me learn so much about money and how it should be budgeted and what accounts it should go in. It also helped me learn how to save and what is a good purchase to make. When I switched to secretary a couple years later, I was able to learn so much about note taking and how to figure out what is important to write down and what to take away from said notes. This has made such an impact on the notes I take for all my running start classes. Finally, when I became vice president it taught me so much about how to care and learn what people need to thrive. I am so thankful 4-H has brought me all these opportunities.
I have shown pigs for 10 years and it has truly made me a better person. Above all it has taught me to always keep things kind and positive. A positive attitude makes the animal less stressed. Pigs are extremely smart animals, and because of this they react similarly to humans. What makes pigs so smart is their ability to read and empathize with humans and their emotions. When humans act scared and mad that energy is shown through the pig because they then feel that emotion. Remembering to always stay calm helps me and the animals around me.
To summarize, 4-H has helped me learn so much about myself and about life. I plan on becoming a nurse because I love to help and care for others. Because of the leadership skills I have learned, and the positive attitude 4-H has taught me I can confidently say I feel more prepared for this field. I am so thankful that 4-H has taught me the life skills I need to work hard and achieve all my goals.
Rilynn Frye
High School Graduate Scholarship
Over the past eight years, 4-H has been an incredible journey that has shaped me into the person I am today. The life lessons I’ve gained are ones I will carry forever. Through 4-H, I’ve learned critical skills like time management, responsibility, and discipline, which have prepared me for the future. I’ve been fortunate to have amazing mentors and role models who have guided and inspired me, and lifelong friends who provide a safe and supportive environment. 4-H has also allowed me to give back to my community, and create compassion, and a sense of purpose. It has encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone, work on meaningful projects, and gain valuable leadership experience.
One of the most meaningful and impactful experiences in my 4-H journey would be showing livestock and how that brought someone super special in my life. This experience helped me as well as those around me. During my 4-H journey I was blessed to be able to hold a livestock animal for a foster youth in 4-H. Our journey together helped us both learn life lessons. We had to be patient and kind to one another because we are different people who do things differently, we worked our lambs together, and we both needed to learn how to manage and sacrifice our own personal time. This helped me become better as a person and taught me so much. It was an experience that I will take into my adult life. 4-H brought together people from all different backgrounds creating lasting bonds. This opportunity introduced a bond that wouldn’t have happened without 4-H. This allowed me to learn about differences in people and their own personal experiences expanded my perspectives.
4-h has been a huge part of my life. This program has inspired me to embrace challenges, grow stronger, and believe in my ability to make a positive impact on the world. I am truly grateful for everything 4-H has brought into my life and will always cherish the memories and lessons it has given me. 4-H has Encouraged me to be a better person for those around me, gives me a passion for helping others, and helps shape who I am today and who I will be in the future.
Norah Gilbertson
Maria Imperial Memorial Scholarship & J. Orville/Helen Young Scholarship
My name is Norah Gilbertson. I am 17 years old, and I am a graduating senior in high school. I have been homeschooled throughout high school, but I attend Eastern Washington University full-time as a Running-Start student. Outside of school, I am an avid equestrian. I first started horse riding lessons at the age of four. At the time, the entire world of horses and riding was foreign to our family. Thankfully, someone recommended that my parents enroll me in 4-H.
Throughout my nine years in 4-H, I have participated in the horse project. Whether competing at horse shows or in equine educational events, I have been surrounded by valuable mentors that have taught me so much and made me a knowledgeable rider and horse owner. My involvement in 4-H though, has influenced me far more than just in my journey with horses.
As a result of my involvement in 4-H, I have become a clear thinker, organizer, and leader. Last year, I was elected President of the Frog Hollow 4-H Club. At the time, I struggled with public speaking skills and lacked confidence in my leadership abilities. Throughout the year, I developed skills that have helped me grow to be a better leader. Leading meetings on a regular basis made me much more comfortable with public speaking. Organizing and planning club events, community service activities, and 4-H promotion projects gave me multiple opportunities to coordinate with outside organizations. I applied these skills as a Horse Project Record Book Committee Member and as a Co-Department Lead for youth runners at the Spokane 4-H Tack Swap. These opportunities from 4-H have given me the life skills to think critically and lead.
4-H’s emphasis on service has shown me the importance of loyalty and caring for others. As a senior, I had the opportunity to mentor and assist younger members in their 4-H journey, just like my mentors did to me many years ago. Participating in 4-H service events allowed me to meaningfully give back to my community and ultimately introduced me to Free Rein Therapeutic Riding Center, where I have logged over 300 volunteer hours outside of 4-H.
4-H has also provided me with close, strong friendships and many memories that I cherish. It has given me a community of people that support me throughout my journey. I believe this community has helped me succeed by teaching me to set goals and make the best better.
Thanks to 4-H, I am now a strong leader and public speaker. I can think logically and plan for my future. I have also gained a deep love for my community and am dedicated to continuing to serve it. 4-H’s emphasis on better living has inspired me to obtain a higher education to improve the health of people in rural communities. I plan to attend Carroll College and complete my bachelor’s degree in both biology and health sciences. After undergrad, I hope to attend medical school and become a healthcare provider, specifically a general surgeon practicing in a rural or under-served community in Eastern Washington.
Lacey Jacobsen
High School Graduate Scholarship
My name is Lacey Jacobsen. I am a senior at East Valley High School and a freshman at Spokane Community College through Running Start. I have been a 4-H member for 10 years and have been an active member in FFA since I was a freshman. I am a member of Greenacres 4-H Sheep Club. I have held officer positions including historian, reporter, secretary and currently treasurer. Through the years I have done multiple horse projects. As a freshman I switched to sheep and even started breeding my own.
At East Valley High School I have been very active in my FFA chapter and have held three officer positions. I was sentinel as a sophomore and president as a junior and senior. I joined Greenacres 4-H Sheep Club so I could learn more about sheep and other livestock. I started showing sheep in 2021 as a freshman and showed my first lamb at the Spokane Junior Livestock Show. My junior year I bought a pair of bred ewes and a ram and started a small breeding program that is quickly growing in numbers. I have participated in livestock judging in 4-H and FFA as well as meat evaluation through FFA. I have shown sheep in both 4-H and FFA contests for four years. My favorite thing about animal projects, no matter the species, is the commitment and determination it takes to succeed. Being in the barn from a young age has taught me patience, responsibility, passion, grit, and the value of hard work. Raising sheep has entirely formed what I want to study after high school. I plan to attend Oklahoma State University to study animal science with a focus on production and operation. In the future I hope to work at a breeding facility.
4-H and FFA have been a major part of shaping who I am. In my first year in FFA I didn’t talk to anyone and hated going to meetings with the fear that I would have to speak aloud. Fast forward to senior year I am now my chapter’s president for the second year in a row. One of my favorite parts of being an upperclassman is getting to help younger kids.
The 4-H pledge has been a valuable guideline for my education in life skills as well as animal science. Participating in clinics, camps, club activities and educational contests has taught me equine and livestock knowledge and the ability to practice “clearer thinking”. My lifelong friendships made in 4-H and my love and commitment to my horses and my sheep have taught me “greater loyalty”. Doing many community service projects since I was very young has taught me the value of being a good citizen and giving back to others. Making Christmas cards for elderly, collecting dog food for shelters, diapers for Vanessa Behan Nursery or volunteering at Second Harvest Food Bank have been examples of “larger service” to my community. The life skills that I have learned in 4-H like communication skills, problem solving, responsibility, leadership, record keeping and so many more have influenced me to make healthy choices for “better living”. I believe 4-H has been very important in giving me a strong foundation to be a responsible, caring individual who will work hard and succeed in reaching my goals. I will strive to
make my best better!