Community Service Award presented to Kelsey Hancock

Much is accomplished by the 4-H members of Vernon County and many of them are high achievers. This was certainly indicated at 4-H Recognition held Saturday night in the home economics building at the fairgrounds. It is interesting to hear what these young people are doing. A number of awards were presented to 4-H members and leaders.

Among the awards presented was the Leonard Ernsbarger Community Service Award, sponsored by the Bank of America, which I personally presented in behalf of the sponsor. The recipient of this award was Kelsey Hancock, a nine-year member of the Sheldon 4-H Club. She was also one of the members receiving the prestigious "I Dare You" Award as well as other honors.

This Community Service Award is presented to a 4-H member, 10 years old or older, who best exemplifies the HANDS and HEART portion of the 4-H Pledge. This young person is self-motivated and has given of themselves in volunteering to help others throughout the county. They have demonstrated leadership and citizenship and they contribute to the group effort of making a difference in the community. The selection of the winner is based on 75 percent for community service and 25 percent on leadership. A $50 Savings Bond and a traveling plaque are awarded annually.

Jordon Johnson was the first 4-H member to receive the Leonard Ernsbarger Community Service Award. This week she was admitted to the bar in Texas. This is an indication of the success that former 4-H members have in life.

It is a special honor to me, as a retired 4-H youth specialist, to have this special recognition awarded in my name. There are several reasons why this award is meaningful to me. Since it has been in existence 4-H members awarded the 4-H Community Service Award and others who have made application have achieved significant service to the community and in leadership. These young persons have made and are making great contributions to their community.

As a recipient of two special honors this year, the Pacesetter Award from the chamber of commerce and the Lieutenant Governor's Senior Service Award, I have made clear my interest in community service. Still, it does not seem possible that I received these honors.

"4-H has taught me many life skills and provided me many life skills and provide me with many memories that can never be taken away from me," said Kelsey. Her story and her accomplishments are one example of what the 4-H members are doing. She has been actively involved in 4-H during her career.

She participated as her club picked up numerous bags of trash along the 2-mile stretch of adopted highway, sang lots of Christmas carols and delivered basket loads of fruit to the elderly neighbors and shut-ins in the Sheldon community. She and the other members helped purchase toys at Christmas time for Toy's for Tot's -- in order to brighten a child's Christmas morning.

Flags were placed on Memorial Day to honor those who served our country. The group has served more nachos, chili dogs and hamburgers than Kelsey cares to count, as the Sheldon 4-H Club served food at auctions, as fund raisers for the club.

Kelsey said, "I have learned many life lessons that will stick with me forever. I have learned compassion, love and the warm fuzzy feeling you get from making someone's day. When we go Christmas caroling to someone's home that has no family, and we leave them a small gift and a basket of fruit, the feeling I receive from that just cannot be explained. When that person has tears in their eyes and the squeeze your hand and thank you over and over for remembering them, that is a feeling money can never buy and it makes me feel so good that I took the time to share some of my life with them."

Kelsey has received numerous Vernon County outstanding age division member awards during her 4-H career. She has represented Vernon County 4-H on the Citizenship Washington D.C. trip, attended 4-H camp, Teen Conference, Kansas City Global Conference and State 4-H Congress. She holds the office of vice president in her 4-H club and also in the Sheldon FFA Chapter. She is a member of the Sheldon Christian Church. As a senior at Sheldon High School she is active in all sports, band and student government.

Kelsey says, "Community service comes in many forms and I plan to continue to be involved in community activities even as an adult. I plan on sharing what has been taught to me by the adult leaders in my club and giving back to new members -- it takes all of us working together to keep a community strong."

It is amazing what Kelsey and other young people are doing. She has rendered a valuable service to her community and to her 4-H club.

Congratulations go to Kelsey on receiving the 4-H Community Service Award. Thanks go to Bank of America for sponsorship of this special award.