Alaina Gebel awarded PIC North America II 4-H Scholarship from Iowa 4-H Foundation

Alaina Gebel, a 2023 graduate of Waukon High School, was awarded the PIC North America II 4-H Scholarship through the Iowa 4-H Foundation at a recognition ceremony held Sunday, July 14 in Ames.

One hundred and one Iowa 4-H scholarships valued at over $106,000 were awarded as a part of the Foundation’s scholarship recognition ceremony. Over 450 applications were submitted, and scholarships have been awarded to recipients from 56 counties across the state of Iowa with a wide variety of 4-H experiences.

Agriculture is a diverse, ever-changing and developing field. From the clothes that are worn to the food that is eaten, agriculture is the backbone of local communities. For the past decade, Gebel has been involved in 4-H, which provided her with a positive environment to learn and grow. Being involved in 4-H helped her realize her passion for agriculture and more specifically educating others. The 4-H program helped her realize that she loves working on a team rather than working individually. All of these discoveries helped her decide that she wanted to pursue a degree in Agriculture Education. She is currently attending Iowa State University in the Agricultural and Life Science Education program.

“Iowa 4-H Foundation scholarships acknowledge the hard work and dedication of young people who have used their 4-H skills and experiences to ‘make the best better’ for others,” said Emily Saveraid, Executive Director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation. “We also are thankful for the many scholarship donors who fund these important opportunities for Iowa 4-H’ers.”

The $500 PIC North America II 4-H Scholarship is for an Iowa 4-H member who was active in the swine project area and/or has interest in the swine industry. Applicants should be a collegiate sophomore, junior or senior with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or above, attending any two or four year accredited school. Applicants must be pursuing an education preparing for a career in the swine industry.

A full list of all scholarship recipients can be found online at https://www.iowa4hfoundation.org/what-we-do/funding-for-4-h-ers/scholars....

The Iowa 4-H Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides the private financial resources to develop and deliver quality 4-H youth programs throughout the state of Iowa. These opportunities help young people enhance their ability to use critical thinking, leadership, communication, and social skills - tools that will give them a competitive edge in their future endeavors. More information can be found at www.iowa4hfoundation.org.