PULLMAN, Wash. — Nine Clark County residents have been inducted into the newly created Washington State 4-H Hall of Fame.
Inducted were: Janet Bellcoff, 11308 N.E. 149th St., Brush Prairie; Marvin and Jackie Bister, P.O. Box 753, Battle Ground; the late Jeannine Dietel; Bill Hansen, 14917 N.E. 149th St.; Brush Prairie; Bob and Anna Manary, 28615 S.E. 23rd St., Vancouver; Sharon Marble, 12101 N.E. 18th St., Vancouver; and Florence Robison, 512 N.E. 1st St., Battle Ground.
Bellcoff has been a 4-H leader with the “As You Like It” 4-H Club for over 37 years. She has served in all offices of the County Leader’s Association and organized a variety of county events and activities and chaired various committees. She has been superintendent at the Clark County Fair of Fashion Revue, Record Books, Childcare, and Dairy. She has been a member of the Fair Board since 1997, and is currently secretary-treasurer.She has been Scholarships Chair, and is currently Premium & Awards/Livestock Chair. Janet co-chaired the State 4-H Forum held in Vancouver.
Marvin and Jackie Bister have been 4-H club leaders for 25 years. They took over the Dog Program in the early 1980s, and developed the current program.
In 1987 Marvin received the Clark County Outstanding 4-H Leader. He has served as the 4-H Leader’s Association president, and held leadership positions in the beef and horse projects in the 1970s. He began the 4-H Riflery Club 12 years ago, which was one of only two in the state. It continues to thrive under his leadership.
Jackie has served as chair of the 4-H Record Committee. She also took leadership of the County Fun Fest event that raised money for the Leader’s Association in the 1970s and early ’80s.
Dietel was a volunteer leader for 30 years. She led the 4-H Home Economics project through 1980. She initiated and led a project to build two kitchens in the 4-H Home Economics building at the fair. They are patterned after the 4-H kitchens at the State Fair. She wrote and received a grant from the Swift foundation, recruited volunteers to build two complete kitchens and targeted businesses for donations of building materials, appliances, and equipment.
Bob and Anna Manary have been 4-H leaders for 42 years. Both are very active volunteers in the Camas-Washoughal community and at the fair. Bob is the dairy barn superintendent for both open class and 4-H. Anna is the 4-H home economics superintendent and judges bread baking and public presentations.
In 1987 the Manarys were crowned Camas Days King and Queen. In 1992 they were recognized by the 4-H Dairy Department for their outstanding contribution to the 4-H Dairy program.
Marble co-designed and was a presenter for the Clark County 4-H leader orientation and training events for 12 years. She served on the County 4-H Committee to determine 4-H learning outcomes for youth in the 4-H program. She was trained as a statewide leader for the Taking Anyone into eXpanded Involvement Program.
Robison served as a home economics 4-H leader for 58 years. She received the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. She has trained and assisted new 4-H home economics leaders, parents, and youth in home economics activities and public presentations contests. She helped with County Public Presentation Day, served as 4-H fair superintendent, and judged home economics and public presentations at the fair. She is responsible for the beginning of the Battle Ground Community Fairgrounds.
Induction of the first one hundred people was announced at a State 4-H Forum in Ocean Shores. The hall of fame was created as part of the 4-H centennial celebration.
More than 93,500 Washington youths are enrolled in 4-H programs; over 20,300 are enrolled in 1,733 clubs. Another 73,000 participate in a variety of other 4-H activities, such as the school enrichment program, day camps and overnight camping.
More than 10,300 adult volunteers support 4-H, which is Washington State University Cooperative Extension’s informal, educational program for today’s young people. The program combines the cooperative efforts of youth, volunteer leaders, WSU faculty, federal, state, and local governments, and businesses.
– 30 –
FOR LOCAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL:
(360) 254-8436 for Carol DeHaas, 4-H Agent