Kane County Fair board names two 4-H scholarship winners

The Kane County Fair board of directors in St. Charles has announced that Jordyn Faith Block of Sycamore and Nora Thompson of Maple Park have been named its 2022 scholarship recipients.

Each student, who has been an active member of a local 4-H Club, will receive $750 per year for four years, or a cumulative total of $3,000, as they continue and complete their higher education.

"With a break in 2021 due to the pandemic, we are pleased to renew our long-standing tradition of awarding annual scholarships to worthy young students who are active in the 4-H community," said Larry Breon, chairman of the Kane County Fair board of directors.

"We are pleased to provide monetary assistance to Jordyn and Nora, who have achieved high academic excellence, give back to their communities and are very involved in their 4-H Clubs and at the Kane County Fair," Breon said. "We wish them the best in achieving their dreams."

Block graduated from Sycamore High School and was a member of the National Honor Society and high honor roll and earned a G.P.A. of 4.086. She was a member of the Burlington AG 4-H Club and held a number of leadership rolls including president, vice president, and treasurer.

She is currently attending Kishwaukee College in Malta, Illinois, and plans to transfer to Kansas State University.

"I cannot even begin to fathom how important 4-H is to me and how excited I am for my future in agriculture," Block said, "and fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming an animal feed nutritionist."

Block adds that "I am proud to tell anyone and everyone that I show cattle and sheep."

Thompson is a senior at Burlington Central High School where she holds a 3.9130 G.P.A. She received an American Legion Award, a member of the National Honor Society, and FFA leadership team officer. She will attend Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, to pursue a degree in marketing.

A member of the A Bit More 4-H Club, she participated in many activities, such as 4-H president and ambassador, and the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA).

Thompson notes that "4-H has given me countless opportunities, skills, and networking capabilities, but most of all 4-H has given me life long friendships. I have met some of my best friends through 4-H and have made my favorite memories at the Kane County Fair through its welcoming atmosphere. The Fair is my favorite week of the year."

Since the launching of its Kane County Fair 4-H scholarship program over 12 years ago, many Kane County area 4-H students have been awarded financial assistance to further their education.

For more information, contact the Kane County Fair at (630) 584-6926.