One of my first projects for the Iowa 4-H Foundation was processing, creating and editing over 60 scholarship bios for each recipient of a 2013 4-H Foundation Scholarship. I had to use many techniques to keep the stories interesting and do as much research about each scholar as possible to make sure I highlight their unique 4-H story.
Below you can find three of my favorite biographies. Each, along with all the 60 other bios, were created from the applications of the scholar and from a short answer survey they completed after being notified of receiving the scholarship. Click here to read the entire reception program. All of these bios were also used as a strong backbone for a press releases pitched to county newspapers.
Kallen Anderson – Webster County
A senior studying both dietetics and family, consumer sciences Kallen Anderson looks back on how much 4-H has meant to her. “The friendships, skills and opportunities I have gained from 4-H will continue to help me and guide me through my last year as an undergraduate at Iowa State as well as graduate school,” Anderson said. During her nine years in the program she was a State 4-H Council member in 2007-2008, a selected National 4-H Congress participant and a State Award recipient in Clothing, Leadership, and Horticulture. During her three completed years of college she has found a passion for the Iowa State College of Human Sciences Student Council where Anderson has held the officer positions of vice-president and is currently in her second term as president. During her time on the council, she has volunteered her time at alumni events, bi-annual service projects with ACCESS and VEISHEA, as well as bi-annual pizza sales and other philanthropies benefiting the United Way of Story County. As a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, Anderson has served as alumnae relations coordinator, public relations coordinator, and social chair. She is currently looking for graduate schools in hopes of receiving her master’s after graduating from Iowa State University in May of 2014.
Calvin Davis – West Pottawattamie County
Not many can say they found their future college roommate at the Iowa State 4-H Conference but Calvin Davis can. Since his freshmen year Davis has attended the conference every year, and it has always been one of the highlights of his year. It was by participating in Animal Science Roundup portion of the conference that Davis became an expert in different segments of the agriculture industry. Receiving Grand Champion in West Pottawattamie’s market steer and market broiler competitions are just the tip of Davis’ success. During high school, he spent much of his time between his homework for his classes at Underwood High School and working a part-time job. Some of his favorite jobs were doing hours for his uncle’s tree service business or his grandpa’s farm. “4-H has taught me to always work hard for what you want and to never give up,” Davis said. His passion for 4-H has him dedicated to make sure his younger brothers and other youth in his community become involved with 4-H so they don’t miss out on the many lessons he has learned in the last nine years. Davis will attend Kirkwood Community College to study agriculture business this fall.
Anna Tichy – Linn County
“4-H is all about spreading knowledge and it has opened me up to new areas of interest,” said six year 4-H’er Anna Tichy. A State Award recipient in Beef, Tichy was also involved in Food and Nutrition, Poultry, Beef, Gardening, and Self-Determined project areas. Her first 4-H experience was giving a mushroom presentation and it was the first time she had ever presented in front of a large crowd of 40 people before. Tichy says giving the speech made her a more confidant public speaker and helped to develop a more outgoing personality. One of her favorite experiences was being a 4-H camp counselor at camp Hitaga. Tichy watched after six girls for three days, made sure they ate breakfast, went to their scheduled events, were safe at all times and enjoyed their camp experience. “I think I had just as much fun as the kids did,” she said. Tichy has participated in many community service projects from bell ringing for the Salvation Army, 4-H officer training night and to inform younger kids on what 4-H is during the Ag in the Park event. In the fall, Tichy will attend Kirkwood Community College to take the very first steps of fulfilling her dream of becoming a large animal veterinarian.
Carter D. Collins 
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