4-H Members Receive District Scholarship

4-H is a youth education program which provides youth ages 5-18 the opportunity to learn life skills while exploring projects such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), leadership, healthy living, and citizenship/leadership. You can become a member of 4-H by joining a Community 4-H Club, participating in a short term Special Interest Program, participating as an independent member or by being part of a 4-H School Enrichment Classroom Project.

District VIII/T.G. Lee Scholarship

Annually Florida 4-H District VIII and T.G. Lee sponsor a maximum of four scholarships for junior and senior 4-H members. District VIII consists of 4-H members from Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties. This year we had eleven 4-H members from across District VIII apply for the District VIII/T.G. Lee Scholarship.

Each spring candidates are judged and scored based on their participation in 4-H, career and academic goals, leadership in the program and community service. Candidates must complete an application, write a 2-3 page narrative, turn in 2 reference forms, and complete an interview. This March 11 candidates interviewed with a panel of four 4-H alumni earlier this at the Seminole County Extension office. This year we had multiple youth turn in scholarship applications, of the 11 candidates 5 were from Seminole County 4-H.

Earning Money For College

Derwin Sanchez speaking in Tallahassee during 4-H Legislature.

Two 4-H members from Seminole County were awarded scholarships; Derwin Sanchez and Raphael Thorp. Derwin is a Seminole County senior 4-H member in Crusaders 4-H club. Derwin has been involved with 4-H for the past 8 years and is currently serving as his Club’s President, 4-H County Council Vice President, and is a member of the Florida 4-H State Executive Board. Derwin has participated in many 4-H events and camps ranging from county to state level including 4-H University, LAW, 4-H Legislature, County Officer Training and more. Derwin is a great leader and role model in our county. In addition to his activities in 4-H he also competes in national public speaking competitions and is dual enrolled at Seminole State College. After college Derwin plans to focus on a career in politics.

2018 District VIII/T.G. Lee Scholarship Recipient Raphael Thorp

The second scholarship recipient from Seminole County is Raphael Thorp. Raphael is a senior 4-H member from the Teens in Action 4-H Club. He has been a Seminole County 4-H member for the past 6 years and has held numerous leadership roles. This year Raphael is serving as County Council 4-H President, Florida 4-H Executive Board member, and as a Florida 4-H Healthy Living Ambassador. Raphael has participated in several 4-H projects and events including citrus, 4-H Legislature, the National 4-H Healthy Living Summit, and the Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference. Raphael plans to attend the University of Alabama in Huntsville and focus on obtaining degrees in mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering. He hopes to one day work as a military contractor specializing in propulsion systems or aeronautical research.

Opportunities in 4-H

4-H provides many opportunities for adolescents to acquire community service hours and apply for scholarships ranging from the county level to national scholarships. For more information regarding 4-H scholarships please view the Florida 4-H website: http://florida4h.org/youth_/awards-and-recognition/scholarship/

For more information about Seminole County 4-H please visit our website at http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/departments-services/leisure-services/extension-services/4-h-youth-development/

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