2008 Hall of Fame Inductees |
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Induction of the 2008 members took place during the State 4-H Forum in Everett on October 17, 2008. On the following pages you will find a short biography of each inductee, listed alphabetically by county.
Skagit County
In 1971, Bonita Elfstrom founded the “Tails Up” 4‑H Club—the first dog project club in Skagit County. In 1974, the Tails Up Club was the first in the county to offer the Guide Dog project. They have also sponsored the county Agility contest and helped organize and run the first few years of the State Dog Bowl contest. Currently, the Tails Up Club is hosting a Canine Good Citizen test, which is an AKC program that is recognized nationwide. Former members of this club have won six Danforth Leadership awards at the county level, six state fair showmanship championships, and three former members have become veterinarians. All of this was accomplished under Bonita’s leadership—which she continues today, offering vet science, photography and leadership projects in addition to the dog project.
Bonita has served in many county positions, including 10 years has a Guide Dog leader; 25 years as Vet Science Program leader, and she has judged county public presentations for more than 30 years. She assisted veterinarians at the Skagit County Fair vet check for 10 years before becoming Coordinator for the next 15 years. Bonita was the Skagit County Dog Superintendent for 25 years—during which time the dog division was awarded the Black and White State Award four times. She has also taught classes at Super Saturday’s and Fabulous Friday’s in the county.
Because of Bonita’s involvement in the county
4-H Leaders’ Council and her work on the new National 4-H Dog curriculum, she was chose not once, but twice, as Leader of the Year in Skagit County.
On the state level, Bonita has served as State Fair Judging Superintendent for 25 years, and she helped design one of the first dog showmanship score sheets as a member of the State Dog Development Committee.
Jean Swift began her involvement in 4-H as a member in Grays Harbor County. She later became a judge for foods, clothing, public presentations and record books. After moving to Skagit County in the 1970’s, Jean became Leader of the 4-H Home Ec. Club and was our 4-H Building Superintendent for many years. She is still the main leader of a large community club that offers 16 different projects, with ten co-leaders. Jean has held every office on Leaders Council, has served on every committee and chaired several major events, including the State 4-H Forum when it was held in Mt. Vernon.
In the 1980’s, Jean became involved in the cat project, serving as the county 4-H Cat Superintendent for many years, then working on the state Project Development Committee charged with writing new project materials. She is still a member of that committee, which is currently working on developing a project for small pets.
Jean is also involved on the state level on the Food and Nutrition Committee where she was instrumental in the consolidation of several kitchen activity worksheets and score sheets, and did an extensive revision of the 4-H Food Activity Guidelines. She also developed a Judges Training Program for foods exhibits and 4-H kitchen activities, which she has presented several times. She attends State 4-H Forum nearly every year, and often attends Western Region 4-H Forum; frequently presenting workshops at both.
Jean served on the State Fair Board for over eight years. She was awarded a trip to the National Home Ec. Leader’s Conference in 1983, and in the 1990’s was offered the opportunity to help develop a national 4-H Cat Project curriculum.
Nominations due June 1
of current 4-H year
Heading using the h3tag
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