Jim Dailey

Jim Dailey's contribution to the 4-H program far surpasses what is normally expected of community leaders. Jim has always been supportive of those traditional needs in conducting the 4-H youth program. Jim's contributions go beyond the everyday efforts. Jim is a “visionary”. Jim has the ability to take a thought or an idea and turn it into a tremendous opportunity for young people. This is exactly what took place with the Ohio Valley Bank 4-H Scholarship Program, a small idea that has provided over $100,000 to help over 50 young people in four counties in Ohio and West Virginia.

The uniqueness about Jim's efforts is that he does not expect those individuals who receive scholarships to do anything with the bank or him in return. Instead, he hopes that they will do something for young people in the future.

Lela Gordon

Lela first became involved in 4-H when she joined was called a “Boys and Girls” Club as an eighth grader in grammar school. There she learned to sew and do other projects. When she married and her children became interested in 4-H, she became an advisor for the local club. During her tenure as advisor, she not only taught members to learn by doing, but instilled in them Christian principles as that was her walk in life. She not only served the local club but worked closely with the County Extension Office. There she became involved on the advisory committee that was instrumental in choosing agents that served the county for many years. She also was on the committee to establish the “Home Demonstration” group in Tuscarawas.

Lela Gordon was not only “Mom” to her family but she was “Mom” to the girls in her Sunday School class, to many girls who attend Camp Piedmont 4-H Camp, to an IFYE from England, and then “Grandmom” to twelve grand children.

Joy Latham

Like the ripples spreading from a pebble dropped into a pond, the impact of the 4-H program on and through Joy Latham reaches throughout Ohio. 4-H was a formative force in her family and Joy continues that tradition. Already in 1954, Joy and her seven brothers and sisters had amassed a total of 60 years in 4-H work. 4-H activities in her native Ottawa County prepared her to be a leader there and elsewhere. For nearly 50 years, Joy's energy and example have instilled positive values in countless individuals.

Joy Latham is active in her community. Her 4-H leadership skills also proved valuable to her church, school system, and county. In a time of transition from a rural to a more urban population in Ohio, Joy helped the Ohio 4-H program adapt to new conditions. Joy has been particularly involved in leadership training and program development. The interest and caring she gave to the hundreds of members she advised and the thousands of projects completed under her direction are her gifts to the future.

Elnora Sargeant

Elnora Sargeant has served as a 4-H volunteer for 56 years. She has touched and encouraged many lives during her years of service. Her high standards and personal leadership serve as a model for members, volunteers, and paid staff of the Erie County

4-H program. New ideas flow from her, but traditional values and methods make her the rock around which many 4-H programs have been built.

Elnora's community leadership through church, church choir director, Farm Bureau, Farm Bureau Women's committee, teaching at Perkins Community Schools, serving as president of the Lutheran Memorial Home Auxiliary and her term of service on the board of the Erie County Ag Society has also benefited many community residents.

Elnora Sargeant is an outstanding, innovative leader who leads and promotes 4-H. Five of her 4-H members participated in National 4-H Congress, four have gone on to become home economists, and her own daughter serves as a 4-H agent; thus showing the world her commitment to 4-H.