Island County 4-H announces its ‘Leader of the Year,’ ‘4-H’er of the Year’

Published 6:00 pm Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Earning top honors at the recent 4-H Achievement Night was the mother-and-daughter team of Margaret and Rachel Evans of Langley.

Rachel Evans is the new 4-H’er of the Year.

Judy Feldman, Island County 4-H program coordinator, had no doubt that Evans was an excellent pick.

“Rachel has a deeply genuine way of listening to others, and more importantly a heartfelt way of responding to what she hears,” Feldman said.

“In the years that I’ve known her, I’ve always been impressed by her energy — but its her compassion that blows me away,” she said.

Evans was an active member of the Mighty Mutts, Purrs ‘N Furs, and Knight Rider 4-H clubs. She attended the “Know Your Government” youth conference in Olympia, volunteered with the H.O.P.E. therapeutic riding program and the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

In addition, she taught a class for 4-H Super Saturday, and attended 4-H Leaders’ Council meetings.

Evans has been with 4-H for four years. It gave her an excuse to buy a horse, she joked.

But her true reason for being part of 4-H is the community and the friends.

“I was already so in tune with 4-H, being the 4-H’er of the year is such an honor,” Evans said.

This year, Evans showed all of her animals in shows; two cats, two dogs and horses keep her busy.

Evans stood out among the candidates, Feldman said.

“The team that interviewed our candidates this year had quite a challenge,” Feldman said.

“The 4-H’ers who applied for this award were all living examples of the critical thinking and community service that 4-H is known for, and the interview team wished that they could have given honors to all of them.

“In the end, they felt Rachel was the best fit for this particular award because of her enthusiasm for the variety of opportunities 4-H offers our Whidbey youth, and her excitement about working with the younger 4-H’ers in our program,” Feldman added.

During the last 4-H year, Margaret Evans, Rachel’s mom, filled the role of club leader for the Mighty Mutts, superintendent for the cat division at Island County Fair, and chairwoman of the dog division.

She also found time to participate with the 4-H Leaders’ Council, and supported her daughter in the Knight Riders horse club. Her dedication was acknowledged by naming her 4-H Leader of the Year.

“I am absolutely stunned that I was awarded 4-H Leader of the Year,” Margaret Evans said.

She has been involved with 4-H for 10 years.

“The program teaches so much about responsibility, becoming productive citizens, and learning skills they will need the rest of their lives” she said.

“It is important to be a part of 4-H because you make friends that you will have your entire life, you learn new ways of doing things, and gain fresh perspectives. I have never met a more awesome group of leaders, parents, and kids and feel very honored to not only win this award but to work and learn with them all year long,” she added.

Michaela Marx Wheatley can be reached at 221-5300 or mmarxwheatley@southwhidbeyrecord.com.