2005 Hall of Fame Inductees |
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Induction of the 2005 members took place during the State 4-H Forum in Ocean Shores on October 14, 2005. On the following pages you will find a short biography of each inductee, listed alphabetically by county.
Clark | Douglas | King | Klickitat | Pacific | Stevens | Walla Walla
Stevens County
Born in Stevens County, where her mother and grandmother both served as 4-H Volunteers, Helen Burgess is in her 28th year as a 4-H volunteer, currently as Main Club Leader for the Haynickers II 4-H Club. Shortly after Helen married, she and her family volunteered three entire summers as caretakers of the Stevens County 4-H Camp.
Helen was the driving force behind the Stevens County livestock judging project, and she volunteers to help with livestock judging when she is at the state fair. She has been the backbone of the annual Meat ‘n Good Times Livestock Clinic, a showcase event in Stevens County. She has been Superintendent for the Livestock Market Systems Approach class at the Northeast Washington Fair every year since it began.
Helen has chaperoned at club activities, local and state fairs, teen conference and rallies, and livestock shows. She decorates for every 4-H or fair activity on a shoestring budget—and has a gift of bringing out creative talents of youth in doing so.
She has served on the Stevens County 4-H Leaders’ Council as President (1996-2001), Reporter, and currently Vice-President. In 1997 Helen was recognized as Stevens County Outstanding Leader. She remains an active 4-H volunteer long after her own children have completed their successful 4-H careers.
Helen represents the ultimate 4-H leader. She gives endlessly of all that she has—including time, talent, and money—for the 4-H youth of Stevens County.
Lee and Helen McNinch have made extensive contributions to 4-H, FFA, and other youth in rural Stevens County and Northeast Washington. From 1968-1985, they served as Club Leaders and Project Leaders in the Smackout 4-H Club. Project areas included Family Living, Beef, Sheep, Rabbits, Poultry, and Forestry. Helen was very active in Fashion Revue.
Lee and Helen have been extremely active in the Northeast Washington Fair in Colville, serving as Beef Superintendents since 1978. They have served on the Stevens County Cattlemen’s Association Board of Directors, and have been liaisons to the fair. They have been recognized as Cattlemen of the Year. They served on the 4-H Leaders’ Council for over 10 years, and on the Extension Advisory Committee. .
The McNinch’s live about three miles from the Canadian border, making the two-hour drive to Colville on rural roads about three times a month for various meetings—not including other trips for 4-H meetings, activities, and support for area youth. Lee and Helen raised five children on their cattle ranch, with support from logging work. Their life has been service to their community and the youth in our rural area.
Navona Ouimette participated in 4-H as a child growing up in New York State, where her mother was a 4-H leader. Even though Navona had no children of her own, she was involved in the Stevens County 4-H program both as a Main Club Leader and Project Leader for 22 years, before her death in 2004.
Navona served many years as the Stevens County 4-H Leaders’ Council Treasurer, and she worked as the county 4-H Dog and Cat Program Leader for over 10 years. She single handedly build the county 4-H Cat Program, and served as the Northeast Washington Fair Cat Barn Superintendent for over 15 years. Navona was responsible for the development of 4-H cat publications used in Stevens County, and much of her own time and money went into building cat crates, cages, and display areas used at area fairs.
Navona was an avid dog breeder of show Dalmatians and Corgis. She won many awards with her dogs at local, state, and national shows. In 1985 she was selected as Stevens County Outstanding 4-H Leader.
Navona donated funds to the Northeast Washington Fair to beautify the entrance to the fairgrounds, as a memorial to her late husband, Leonard. She also gave money to repair the roof of the Commercial Building on the fairgrounds, and buy numerous office supplies and equipment. After health issues forced her retirement from active volunteering, Navona continued to support the 4-H program through support of the Fat Animal Sale, and other monetary donations.
Nominations due June 1
of current 4-H year
Heading using the h3tag
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