Tucked away at the end of my column las week was mention of two Hopkins County 4-H members who earned sizable scholarships from the Texas 4-H Foundation.
I wanted to give them the recognition they deserve for their accomplishments.
If you keep up with my column, you have read about these two young ladies, but previously, the amounts of their scholarships were unknown.
As it turns out, they each received the highest amount awarded through the Texas 4-H Foundation’s Houston Livestock & Rodeo Scholarship – $20,000.
Jorja Bessonett has been in the news a lot lately. Not only is she Valedictorian for Miller Grove High School, but she is an accomplished athlete, scholar, and all-around good person!
Jorja has been a Hopkins County 4-H member for 10 years.
She started out as a Clover Kid on the heels of her older sister, Aleigh, who also received a $20,000 scholarship her senior year. Jorja’s major 4-H projects have been Food & Nutrition, Clothing and Textiles, Family Life, Beef, and Health & Personal Safety.
4-H awards have included the Gold Star Award, Danforth “I Dare You” award, state record book award, Outstanding Junior and Intermediate awards, and numerous community service projects.
She plans to attend Texas A&M University – Commerce, and major in Kinesiology, followed by a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.
Savannah Allen, daughter of Sara Allen, is a senior at Sulphur Springs High School.
She has been a Hopkins County 4-H member for 10 years and has held offices on the club, county, district, and state levels, most recently as a Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador.
Her major projects have been Beef, Leadership, Photography, veterinary science, food & nutrition, and livestock judging.
Some of her 4-H Awards include Gold Star Award, Danforth “I Dare You” award, Vet Tech program completion, numerous public speaking awards, Outstanding Intermediate and Junior awards, and numerous community service projects.
Savannah’s younger brother, Blaine, is also active in the Hopkins County 4-H program. Savannah plans to attend Texas A&M University with a major in Animal Science and minor in Ag Economics focusing on real estate.
Previous recipients from Hopkins County were Travis Hicks, Sara Forsman, Cade Goldsmith, and Aleigh Bessonett, plus many more before I came on board with the Extension Service.
Our staff is so proud of these two young ladies and those who came before them.
These young ladies truly exemplify the 4-H pledge: I pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service, and my Health for better living for my club, my community, my country, and my world. Closing Thought Advice for graduating seniors: Have fun, be safe, make good choices, make your bed, call your grandmother!
Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Community Health Agent
Hopkins County
P.O. Box 518
1200-B W. Houston
Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443
