Lydia Rockers, 19, of Carthage was named the 2020 recipient of the Jasper County 4-H Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. The Jasper County 4-H Scholarship is one of 72 scholarships to be awarded by the Missouri 4-H Foundation this year in the total amount of $77,700.
Rockers, a sophomore at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., said her many years of involvement in 4-H have prepared her for a lifetime of success. Rockers is studying Food Science, and said a number of skills learned in 4-H help her in every aspect of her educational and professional endeavors.
“My first exposure to public speaking and professional communication was through 4-H,” said Rockers, “I had the opportunity to develop my networking skills through trips such as Missouri 4-H Legislative Academy and my experience on the State 4-H Council.
Rockers is involved in on-campus organizations, such as Sigma Alpha professional agricultural sorority, and works as an undergraduate researcher at the Food and Agriculture Products Center and as a lab technician at the Meat Science Lab. Rockers attributes her passion for agriculture and food science to her time in the 4-H program, where some of her projects included foods and meat goats.
“I learned responsibility by caring for my animals,” said Rockers, “Waking up all through the night during kidding season helped me to learn the value in holding myself responsible.”
Rockers plans to finish her bachelor’s degree in food science before pursuing a master’s degree in the same field. Following her education, she hopes to work as a scientist at a food company in either product development or food safety.
“4-H has been a huge part of my life as I have grown up, and it has enabled me to be successful and helped me to find a clear path for my future,” said Rockers.
The Missouri 4-H Foundation recognizes scholarship recipients at an annual banquet in the fall. This year, Missouri 4-H Foundation will host a virtual celebration in place of the traditional in-person banquet.
About Jasper County 4-H
Jasper County 4-H is a positive youth development organization of more than 200 youth and adults who believe in promoting character, maintaining excellence, and upholding the mission and honored programmatic traditions of 4-H. Jasper County 4-H encourages meaningful, positive youth-adult partnerships, community service, and engagement.
4-H in Missouri is a part of the University of Missouri Extension and is publicly supported by county, state and federal governments as well as private resources, both human and financial. 4-H welcomes all Missouri youth.
For more information on 4-H in Jasper County, email [email protected].
About Missouri 4-H Foundation
The Missouri 4-H Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the private resource partner of the MU Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development, and is governed by an elected board of trustees. Since 1949, thousands of individuals, organizations and businesses have generously invested financial support in Missouri 4-H.
For more information on the Missouri 4-H Foundation, call (573) 882-2680.
