Senior Profiles

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Matt Bade - '09

Project Focus – Dairy Cattle and Poultry

Through 4-H I have learned a great amount of leadership and responsibility and have made friendships that will last for a lifetime.

Favorite Memory – I've always enjoyed the 4-H Show every summer. I like showing my projects and washing my cattle. Except the time my heifer tore down half the wash rack. I've also enjoyed the dance after the evening show and our Federation trips and meetings.

Advice – Never let Rose Schmillen play Umbrella Land (jk). Be involved and join Federation and cherish the memories and friends that you have made.

Future Plans – Go to ICC and majore in Animal science, then later transfer to U of I and major in Dairy Science.

Shane Carter - '09

Project Focus - Woodworking & Foods

4-H taught me not to wait until the last day to do a project and how to be responsible.

Favorite Memory - fair time & working in the foodstand with my mom.

Advice - Enojoy your time, it goes by way to fast.

Future plans - continue to work for Burroughs Ag and playing music

Thanks to my mom (Jeanette) and Connie and Judy for being my leaders all these years.

Jessica Coons -'09

Project Focus - Rabbits, Visual Arts, and Foods

My favorite memories of 4-H are being with my friends at the fair! Its the best part of my summer! We always have fun just running around the fair grounds.

Bethany Harrison - '09

Favorite Project- hmmm...tough one...do I have to pick? I have so many different ones that I enjoy.

4-H has helped me to be a more outgoing and confident individual. It has taught me that I can do just about anything I put my mind to and has shown me how many people I truly have standing behind me, supporting me all the way.

Plans-I will be attending ICC to get an associates degree in either psychology or social work and will transfer on to eventually get a doctorate.

Volunteers - I want to thank Rhonda Downey for always being my "fairgrounds mom" and I want to thank everyone who made the shows run smoothly....especially you, Anita...none of this would be possible without all the hours that you put into it.

Max Kocher - '09

Project Focus - Beef

Favorite memory - selling my steer in the Sale of Champions

Future plans - go to ICC and figure it out from there

Joel Braun -'09

Project focus-Science and Technology

Plans for next year: attend ICC and major in agronomy with a plant microbiology focus.

Abbey Cook - '09

Favorite Memory: I can't pick any one memory as my favorite. All the crazy, fun times at Federation are the memories that I'll never forget.

Plans: I plan to go U of I and major in Kinesiology.

Thanks: I'd like to thank Anita for helping me with everything over the years from a ride somewhere to advice. I would also like to thank Pam and Dick Hahn for first introducing me to 4-H and then keeping me in 4-H. And Thanks to everyone else who has helped me in any way in 4-H. It means a lot to me.

Samantha Dunphy -'09

Favorite Project- Cake Decorating

My favorite 4-H memory was being an assistant judge with Caroline Bogner. We judged four cooking divisons and had a lot of fun doing it. She even mailed me recipies after the 4-H show.

Future: Attend Illinois Central College and major in Agribusiness

Ethan Koehler -'09

My favorite project has probably been crops.

I think that 4-H has helped me to develop my public speaking skills, and introduced me to a lot of great kids throughout our county. If you are in High School make sure that you join Federation.

I plan to attend Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois. I will be majoring in economics/finance and be playing basketball for the Elmhurst Bluejays.

Rose Schmillen - '09

Favorite Project - Visual Arts

I have learned a lot about leadership and citizenship.

Favorite Memory - Walking through the horse barns to see the horses.

Advice - The more active you are in 4-H, the more you will learn from it.

Plans for next year - Attend college to become an architect

Andrew Schoepke - '09

Project Focus - Sheep

Favorite 4-H memory - Just hanging out with my friends down at the camper talking, watching movies, or playing games. Plus the crazy games at night like kick the can. Awesome times!

Future Plans- Attending Eureka College and possibly majoring in Biology or some science field with a History as a minor.

Thanks goes out to - Let's see... My Bell-Plain Hustler leaders for all of the long meetings they went through. Mrs. Carter for all of her long hours put into the food stand along with her children. Anita who has to get the complications out of the fair. Lisa Kull for putting up with all of us noisy kids down at the campers. My mom and dad for, well, everything! Then to all the rest of the people I forgot... THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!

Jay Streitmatter - '09

Project focus: corn, soybeans, and small grains My advice to younger 4-H'ers would be to not be afraid to set high goals and always keep a positive attitude

My future plans are to go to ICC then transfer to a university to major in Agronomy

I would like to thank everyone who has helped me along the way.

Laura Wilson - '09

Favorite Project - Visual Arts – Heritage Arts - Decorated eggs

I've gained leadership skills, and I've made great friends.

My favorite 4-H memories are Fashion Board Spa Day and designing the European set for the Fashion Revue.

Plans for next year: Attend U of I and live at 4-H House.

Advice to Younger 4-Hers: Try new projects and join Federation or Fashion Board.

Thanks to Anita for organizing all the Federation and Fashion Board events and to Rose Wall for being my first 4-H leader and encouraging me to continue with 4-H.