Caldwell County’s Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development Education has received a prestigious state-wide award for her continued dedication to the youth within the region.
According to a release, Caldwell County’s Rhonda Jewell was named the recipient of the John Swack award for the Kentucky Association of Extension 4-H Agents during a virtual awards ceremony on Wednesday, September 2nd. Jewell, who was nominated by co-workers, was selected as the District 7 winner before being chosen as the state-wide recipient for the award.
The nomination outlined Jewell’s 18 years as Caldwell County’s 4-H Agent and the diverse program she has nurtured that includes school clubs, project clubs, and community clubs as well as the strong teen program she has maintained throughout the years. The nomination went on to explain, under the tutelage of Jewell, local 4-H teens lead the Teens Against Tobacco Use program in the elementary school and conduct an annual fundraiser for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, raising thousands. Caldwell County 4-Her’s who continue into their teen years also consistently participate in the West Kentucky Teen Retreat, Teen Summit, Teen Conference, and Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference thanks to Jewell’s leadership. The nomination states Jewell also instills the value of community involvement in her 4-H members by leading by example and pushes them to be involved in such things as the Black Patch Heritage Festival, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army during Christmastime, serving meals at the Farm to Table Celebration, and everything in between.
The nomination notes Jewell not only impacts the youth with whom she works, but also the volunteers who are willing to step up and assist with projects and other 4-H Agents throughout the district and state. Due to her dedication and service to others, which is always with a smile, many other agents look to her for guidance, support, and advice. The nomination expresses Jewell is “somewhat of a lighthouse in heavy fog, no matter the obstacle, she is there shining her light to ensure that others are able to make their lights shine, even in the darkest, dreary days.”
The annual award recognizes agents who have given above and beyond to the purpose of assisting other agents in making 4-H Extension a successful career by offering support and expertise.
