University of Wisconsin - Extension

The 4-H Youth Development Program and University of Wisconsin-Extension has won a University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents Teaching Excellence Award for 2002.

In presenting the award, Regent Elizabeth Burmaster said the honor was especially fitting for the 4-H program, now in its centennial year.

"It exemplifies the Wisconsin Idea, in literal as well as symbolic terms, for the borders of this program truly are the borders of the state," Burmaster said.

Ellen Polglaze, a student and long-time 4-H member from Milton, told the Regents, first-hand, about the impact of the program.

She cited many strengths of the program and commended its diversity - it is open to all youth across the state and offers many different kinds of programs. Polglaze said 4-H also offers opportunities for leadership development. She said adults run many youth programs, but 4-H allows students to do the planning and organizing.

She also talked about the importance of mentoring. The 4-H program enables older youth to get involved and help younger participants, she said, citing several specific projects from her area, including a Rock County after-school program for at-risk youth.

Polglaze also said 4-H has offered her many leadership opportunities at the local, state and national levels, including the chance to participate in national and state meetings and improve her public speaking skills. The latter were evident in her presentation to the Regents, which was articulate and well organized and for which, and delivered without notes.

UW-Extension Chancellor Kevin Reilly thanked the Regents for the award. He then highlighted the leadership training of 4-H by introducing Regents, Chancellors and UW System Officers who had been members of 4-H. These included Regent President Guy Gottschalk, Regents Pat Boyle, Joanne Brandes and Elizabeth Burmaster, Chancellors Nancy Zimpher and Ann Lydecker and Assistant Vice Presidents David Miller and Nancy Ives.