Macomb County issued the following announcement on Dec. 29.
Keran Walkowicz has been named the Macomb County 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for the 2020 program year. This prestigious award is given only to volunteers who have served Macomb County 4-H for 21 or more years. It was presented via Zoom by Macomb County Youth Council Vice President and President of Bit O Luck 4-H club Aubrey Schultz.
Nominated by Al & Pat Rinke, they state that “Keran has given 40 years of her time, energy and leadership to the Macomb County 4-H program. She has made a difference in the lives of many children and their families. She is deserving and long overdue for this prestigious award.”
Keran became involved in 4-H when her children joined Ray Community 4-H club. A large and active craft project club, some members wanted to start a horse project. The horse project grew and she, along with Barry Zink and John Beier, broke off on their own to form Rays Riding Rascals 4-H club. Today the club is still thriving under the guidance of Michelle and Rod Porter.
Keran was instrumental in improving the county horse program as well. She noticed that not all youth that wanted to learn about horses had one. Believing that every 4-H member that wanted to participate should be able to, she developed a Grooms Class. The class was a way for anyone to learn the basics. Members learned all the parts of the horse and the parts of the saddle and bridle and how to put them on the horse correctly. They learned the different grooming tools used on a horse and demonstrated to a judge how they were used. For years she provided weekly instruction from April into June. In addition to guiding the horse program, Keran also developed the 4-H Horse Tack Sale, a very successful annual fundraiser that takes place in March. She also volunteered at the Armada Fair, saying the “Fair was so big to the members and such a good experience. The life skills and confidence kids gained from showing at the fair was immeasurable.”
A video highlighting Keran's 4-H involvement has been created by the Macomb County 4-H Youth Council.
For more information about The Macomb County 4-H Awards Program go to https://www.canr.msu.edu/macomb/4-h/Awards-Recognition/county-awards. And for images supporting this press release, click here.
Original source can be found here.
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