Wood County 4-H Honors Volunteers
Wood County 4-H recognized their outstanding volunteers for 2021 at their annual Awards Ceremony on December 11, 2021 at the Wood County 4-H Camp. Volunteers were recognized for years of service and outstanding achievements. “Each of our 4-H volunteers bring knowledge and experience to the program and teach valuable life skills to our 4-H members. 4-H volunteers are mentors, role models, teachers, advisors, coaches, and more. Wood County is lucky to have such a talented and caring group of 4-H leaders. The 4-H program is only possible because of the dedicated service of our volunteers. They deserve recognition every year, but especially on their anniversary years,” says Jodi Smith, WVU 4-H Extension Agent.
Wood County 4-H recognized two Outstanding Volunteers this year, Cheryl Smith and Evelyn “Penny” Todd. Penny and Cheryl were recognized by West Virginia 4-H last month.
Evelyn “Penny” Todd has been a tremendous asset to the Wood County 4-H program. For
more than 37 years she has been the club leader for the Bicentennial Woodchucks
4-H Club, one of most active clubs in the county. Penny has ensured that hundreds
of 4-H members have had a positive experience learning leadership and generosity
through club and service activities. At the county level, Penny has served on the
4-H Leaders’ Association, participated in committee work, assisted with 4-H Camp
fund-raisers, and worked the Wood County 4-H Fair kitchen fund-raisers for several
years. Penny grew up in the 4-H program and all her children and grandchildren
have been involved. It is plain to see that as a Wood County 4-H All Star, Penny
makes the best better in Wood County in everything she does!
Cheryl Smith is more than just an All Star in Wood County, she is an avid supporter
of 4-H clubs, camps, and the livestock program. She serves on the 4-H Camp Trustee
Board, lends her leadership skills to the annual Ox Roast and Chicken BBQ fund-raisers
for the camp, and can always be found in the kitchen during camps, the summer shows,
and fund-raisers. She has served as a 4-H leader for 30 years volunteering with
the Belleville and Lubeck Lucky Clovers 4-H Clubs. Cheryl was instrumental in the
organization of the Wood County 4-H Jr. Livestock Committee. Her commitment to
the Wood County 4-H program through service and financial support has made it possible
for many 4-H members to attend camps, state and national activities, and pay for
post-secondary education. All of this and her famous sausage gravy and pepperoni
rolls are why Cheryl Smith is #1 in our heads, hearts, and stomachs!
Leaders recognized for anniversary years of service this year include: 5th Year
Silver Clover Leaders: Laura Barrett, Stella Bargeloh, Susan Davis, Amber Forshey,
Debbie Gilbert, Whitney Huffman, and Larry Stephens.10th year Gold Clover Leader:
Tara Swiger. 15th Year Pearl Leaders: Mary Melrose, Neal Smith, David Wise, and Debbie Young. 20th Year Diamond
Clover Leaders: Doreen Moore, Doug Moore, Vickie Lambert, and Brent Parsons. 25th
Year Clover Leaders: Cindy Daley, Mark Vaughan, and Gina Vaughan. 30th Year Ruby
Clover Leaders: Darin Affolter and Cheryl Smith. 35th Year Sapphire Clover Leaders: Anne
McFee, Sharon Perdue, and Debbie Sleeth.
Leaders who reach 45 years of service receive state level recognition for their dedication
to the 4-H program. This year Mary Pigott reached that 45-year milestone. To say
Mary Pigott has worn many hats as a Wood County 4-H volunteer would be an understatement.
This volunteer has served as a club organizational leader, 4-H Leaders’ Association
officer, camp director, camp counselor, fund-raiser, still project chairperson,
livestock volunteer, donor, and more. Mary has touched the lives of so many 4-H
members during her 45 years of service. Affectionately known by many as “Mother
Mary,” she has served as the club organizational leader of the Belleville 4-H Club
for 38 years. Prior to her leadership role, Mary served as a volunteer in the Daniel
Boone and Mineral Wells Clippers 4-H Clubs. She led camps as director and co-director
and served as a camp counselor for many years. Mary and her husband Ted are proud
parents and grandparents of a four generation 4-H family in Wood County. It is
easy to see why Mary Pigott has been a Wood County 4-H Outstanding 4-H Leader and
a Wood County 4-H All Star. She has served as an inspiration to thousands of 4-H
members during the last 45 years and continues to proudly serve in many aspects
of our 4-H program.
Shelia Young was recognized for 55 years of service to the 4-H program. Sadly, we lost this beloved 4-H volunteer earlier this year. Shelia began her career as a 4-H leader in 1966 after growing up in the Wood County 4-H program. She was a West Virginia 4-H All Star and an integral part of the program serving as club organizational leader to the Daniel Boone 4-H Club and the Fairview 4-H Club, project chairperson, committee chairperson, livestock sale committee treasurer, fair board representative, Wood County 4-H Leaders’ Association past president and vice president. Her leadership provided educational opportunities that taught children crucial life skills like decision making, critical thinking, problem solving, planning and organization, and much more. For nearly 55 years she was an inspiration to thousands of young people and community members. She was a true leader and role model for the youth of Wood County. She will be missed by everyone.