Dr. Chuck Hibberd

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Over the weekend, hundreds of the state’s top 4-H youth gathered at the Indiana State Fairgrounds for the Indiana 4-H Congress.  The 4H Congress brings together some of the top 4H youth for a day of training and awards. This year’s Congress focused on one of the national 4-H initiatives:  healthy living.  During the awards luncheon over $30,000 in scholarships were awarded to some of the state’s top 4-Hers. Purdue Extension Director Dr. Chuck Hibberd told HAT the 4-H program in Indiana is changing lives, “Young people gain life skills like organization and leadership.” He said 94% of those enrolled in the 4-H program plan to attend some form of post-secondary education, “These kids are going to college, they are getting an education and contributing to society in a lot of ways, including agriculture.”

The Indiana 4-H foundation is celebrating its 50th birthday this year. Hibberd says good corporate support of the Foundation has made 50 years possible, “The reason for this is that these businesses share our core values of helping us grow young people that will be great citizens.” Hibberd also said many of Indiana’s corporate leaders were themselves 4-Hers,”So they believe.”

One of the 4-Hers honored with a scholarship was Julie Furnish, from Switzerland County. She said 4-H has changed her life, “It taught me so much, like responsibility and time management.” She said her experience as President of her 4-H club and County Jr. Leaders gave her leadership experience that she will use the rest of her life. 4-H has also impacted her community, “4-H impacts a community because it changes the lives of young people and often helps them decide what they want to do with their lives.”

Julie Furnish

Furnish was the winner of the Communication scholarship sponsored by Hoosier Ag Today. The freshman at Purdue plans a career in radiology and said the communication skills she learned in 4-H will be vital in her future career. This is the third year that HAT has sponsored the 4-H Communication scholarship.

Also at the awards luncheon, sponsored by CountryMark and Ice Miller LLP, Annabel Rupel was inducted into the Indiana 4-H Hall of fame. Rupel joined the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service in 1951, 10 years after graduating with a degree in Home Economics from Manchester College. In the sixties, she became an Extension Specialist for 4-H Youth in the state 4-H office. As a member of the state 4-H staff, Rupel directed the clothing, foods, and food preservation project areas. Additionally, she headed the state dress revue competition which culminated each year with the State Fair Fashion Revue. In the late 70s and early 80s, Rupel served as the coordinator of Indiana’s International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) program. Under Rupel’s leadership, the IFYE program flourished in Indiana.