(Chevy Chase, MD) – National 4-H Council, along with 4-H National Headquarters, NIFA and USDA, has awarded Katherine Dunn with the 2015 Salute to Excellence Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award in the West Region. Dunn was selected over candidates from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington. This prestigious award is presented annually to the volunteer in the region who has dedicated more than 10 years of their life to working with youth and exhibits exceptional commitment and contributions to 4-H and the community.
As the winner, Dunn will receive a customized plaque, a donation in her name to the 4-H Club of her choice and nationwide recognition from National 4-H Council.
[EasyDNNGallery|1429|Width|350|Height|350|position|left|resizecrop|False|lightbox|False|title|False|description|False|redirection|False|LinkText||]Dunn earned the award for her exemplary work as the organizational club leader of the Highwood Hustlers 4-H Club in Cascade County. Her volunteer experience spans more than three decades, which has had a positive impact on 4-H and its members. With her hands-on learning approach and enthusiasm in STEM programming, she has developed quality junior leaders, and increased and retained members by keeping them engaged.
Over the course of 35 years, Dunn has held numerous leadership positions at the local and state level. At the county level, she has served as board member and treasurer to the Cascade County 4-H Foundation. For several years at the state level, she has been active in such programs as the International Four-H Youth Exchange serving as host to many international students. As a dedicated volunteer in 4-H and well-respected member of her community, Dunn has taught and mentored project leaders, teens and parents encouraging them to share their talents and step into leadership roles as well.
“The Salute to Excellence is the greatest honor that 4-H gives to our volunteers in the field, and none in the region were more deserving this year than Katherine Dunn,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, CEO & president of National 4-H Council. “She has dedicated her life to helping 4-H grow confident, capable and caring kids with the life skills to thrive in today’s world, and she continues to positively influence the lives of our youth.”
Dunn is now a finalist, along with three other candidates from across the country, to win the Salute to Excellence National Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award. Announced in the beginning of April, the winner will receive a trophy, have their name added to the National 4-H Salute to Excellence wall in the lobby of National 4-H Youth Conference Center, receive another cash prize to donate to the 4-H Club of their choosing and be honored at a reception in Washington D.C.
Gene and Sharon Swackhamer established the Salute to Excellence Volunteer Award to emphasize the important work of 4-H volunteers across America. The awards, made possible by generous funding from Monsanto Company, recognize 4-H volunteers who demonstrate exemplary service to 4-H while promoting service through volunteerism as both an opportunity and a privilege. For more information on the award, please visit http://www.4-h.org/resource-library/grants-awards/opportunities/salute-to-excellence-awards/.
Source: National 4-H Council
Image courtesy of National 4-H Council
