Custer County student receives prestigious 4-H scholarship

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  • Custer County student receives prestigious 4-H scholarship
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The Karen Richardson Memorial Horseman of the year scholarship is the ultimate award for the Oklahoma 4-H Horse project. Karen Richardson was a “Founding Mother” of the state 4-H Horse Show. She was an example of selfless service to the 4-H Horse program for over 30 years. Karen’s Passion for 4-H youth involvement and participation in the Oklahoma 4-H Horse show and Oklahoma 4-H horse project will be carried on in perpetuity through this prestigious scholarship.

This year the distinguished award was given to Bailey Hatfield of Custer County. Bailey will begin her college education at Southwestern Oklahoma University in the fall and then transfer to Oklahoma State University to finish her degree in Business and Marketing.

During her time in 4-H Bailey was an active participant in Oklahoma speech contests, AQHYA and NRHYA. She was president of her county 4-H clubs, as well as West District and she was a 4-H ambassador. She presented 82 workshops, 26 live videos, and 45 promotional displays all about the horse project.

Bailey was an active promoter of giving back to the community and she created her own outreach program “Blankets for the Brave” and made more than 200 blankets for veterans. She also volunteered at assisted living facilities, provided horse experience for international students, helped organize cemetery clean ups, and promoted the horse project to the next generation of 4-H students.