When Ann Marrison joined Ohio 4-H more than 65 years ago, she had no idea the youth organization would play such a lasting role in her life.
After spending 11 years as a 4-H member, the Ashtabula County resident went on to earn a degree in home economics and work as an agent with Ohio State University Extension. While she served as the county’s home economics agent, she regularly worked with 4-H members. After becoming a mother, she retired, but she continued working with 4-H youth for more than 50 years.
“4-H is a wonderful way to share knowledge, and I believe in what it teaches youth,” Marrison said. “It is one of the best things a kid can do, because it teaches responsibility and life skills. It also helps develop youth into community leaders and does a good
job in preparing kids for life.”
Marrison is one of 99 people and organizations who will be recognized at the 2020 Ohio 4-H Awards recognition event on December 1. The event will be held virtually and will honor the 2020 Volunteer Awards, Hall of Fame inductees, Tenure Milestones, Teen of the Year, and the Teen Hall of Fame inductees who were unable to be recognized at the Ohio 4-H Conference, originally scheduled for March. Marrison received the 4-H Meritorious Service Award.
4-H volunteers who have served 4-H for 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, and 65 years will also be recognized with a special acknowledgment of Charlotte Wagner, a Washington County volunteer with more than 73 years of service.
Another honoree, Russ Mayer from Morrow County, was the recipient of the 4-H Alumni Award. “4-H has been a wonderful experience throughout my life,” he said. “It contributed to my leadership skills and allowed me to develop friendships all over the state. The work that I do now as an adult volunteer is just me giving back to those who made my journey such a fun adventure.”
Be sure to join us on December 1 as we recognize these volunteers who are vital to the Ohio 4-H program. Click here to register.
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Award |
Honorees |
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Alumni Award |
Russ Mayer, Morrow County Lu Phillips, Lorain County |
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Community Service |
Eric Clary, Gallia County Country Kids & Kritters 4-H Club, Mahoning County Greener Fields 4-H Club, Geauga County |
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Friend of 4-H |
LaDonna Henson, Ashland County Janet Kemp, Tuscarawas County Quest Federal Credit Union, Hardin County Rural King Stores, Pike County |
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Hall of Fame |
Jane Copenhefer, Licking County David Greer, Knox County Victor Long, Lorain County |
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Innovator |
John Smith, Washington County
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Meritorious Service |
Ann Marrison, Ashtabula County |
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Teen of the Year |
Emmy Beck-Aden, Athens County |
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Teen Hall of Fame |
Brooke Fleshman, Franklin County Kayla Kramer, Delaware County Trevor Minyo, Fayette County Laura Wood, Brown County |
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40 Years of Volunteer Service |
Suzanne Taylor, Allen Warne Crocker, Brown Sandra Kay North, Champaign Mary Blackburn, Clark Margaret Donaldson-Fisher, Columbiana June Hunter, Coshocton Barbara Koschnick, Crawford Pamela Hunt, Darke Nancy Linebaugh, Darke Ronald Cull, Erie Carla Smith, Greene Constance Dietz, Hardin Lois Wright, Harrison Dale Gilliland, Jackson Karen Gilliland, Jackson Cynthia Magers, Knox Shirley Latimer, Lake Troy Hardy, Lawrence Sis Bland, Licking Forrest Smythe, Licking Glenna Seeley, Logan Richard Baldinger, Marion Sharon Baldinger, Marion John Lowe, Medina Diana Novotny, Medina Kristen Robinson, Medina Diane Miller, Miami Janice Wise-Schneider, Miami Gerald Black, Montgomery Sheila Bushong, Montgomery Calvin Helsinger, Montgomery Kenneth Batteiger, Muskingum Deborah Deal, Muskingum Nancy Moss, Portage Denise Kern, Ross Carolyn Garrett, Scioto Sally Behr, Shelby Millie Augenstein, Stark Dorothy Monter, Stark Jennifer Smith, Stark Carolyn Barker, Trumbull Barbara Likens, Trumbull Dennis McCoy, Van Wert Linda Prochazka, Wayne Doug Michaelis, Wood |
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45 Years of Volunteer Service |
Ruth Schwartz, Auglaize Linda Cook, Columbiana Donald Auck, Crawford Cherlyn Deck, Cuyahoga Judy Driscoll, Erie Paula Jean Savage, Fulton Donna Galusick, Geauga Carolyn Piergallini, Jefferson Joe Box, Lucas Kathleen Garrison, Medina Judy Siman, Medina Debra Heppe, Portage Michael Anderson, Ross Wanda Sawyer, Trumbull Jayne Steffel, Williams |
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50 Years of Volunteer Service |
Marjorie Berkey, Ashtabula Virginia Seifert, Ashtabula Jerry Krebs, Clermont Alice Donaldson, Columbiana Billie Schmitz, Fairfield John Hiser, Fayette Rita Bishop, Huron Judith Simpson, Jackson Wanda Hardy, Lawrence Thomas Eppley, Lorain Kathleen Moser, Mahoning Raymond Brough, Ottawa Vicki Brough, Ottawa Judy Morrison, Ross Priscilla Sprang, Wayne Patricia Seifert, Wyandot |
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55 Years of Volunteer Service |
Wayne Arnold, Fayette Tony Carrera, Mahoning |
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60 Years of Volunteer Service |
Ada Sue Workman, Ashland Patricia Ambler, Jefferson Norma Karnehm, Miami Robert Karnehm, Miami William Hershner, Morrow Robert Wickert, Fremont |
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65 Years of Volunteer Service |
Dorothy Montgomery, Muskingum |
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73 Years of Volunteer Service |
Charlotte Wagner, Washington |