Schoolcraft County Extension
300 Walnut St. Rm. 218
Manistique, MI 49854-1485 / P: 906-341-3688
F: 906-341-6030 / E-mail:
Web: msue.msu.edu/Sschoolcraft
January 2006
4-H volunteer honored for lifetime service to Schoolcraft young peopleOn November 5, 2005 an important tradition was revived in Schoolcraft County. A 4-H Recognition Evening was held at the Manistique Senior Center. 4-H youths, their families, leaders and volunteers were invited to share in an evening of recognition of achievement and service. The program attendance was twice what was anticipated. This was a positive statement about the growth and dedicated involvement of adults and youth involved in the Schoolcraft 4-H Program.
The evening included presenting an award for a “Lifetime of Dedication and Commitment” to Jean Anthony of Manistique who has dedicated more than 65 years of service to the 4-H Youth Development Program.
Anthony began her involvement with 4-H in 1941 when her father began hunting, fishing and trapping clubs as well as a photography club. When she was a teenager, the Ontonagon 4-H agent suggested she start a cooking club because she was always baking, cooking and canning. Anthony won many blue ribbons and gold seal awards for her food, sewing and knitting projects.
During her award acceptance speech, she explained to the youths present, that at that time, there were no “pin” awards and that gold seal awards were the highest honors presented to 4-H members.
After she married in 1954 Anthony continued her work in 4-H, getting her husband Joe involved in creating 4-H clubs in gymnastics, gardening, sewing, baking, bike safety, forestry, wood burning crafts and folk patterns. / Anthony has served on the MSU Museum Review Board, the State 4-H Development Board in Crafts and Folk Patterns, as Schoolcraft Fair Superintendent for 28 years and with the U.P. State Fair Quilt Program. She coached youths for the National 4-H Congress several times and has attended 4-H Exploration Days at MSU countless times. She continues to serve on Schoolcraft County’s 4-H Council.
Anthony was very surprised to receive a huge copper clover mounted on black velvet. She displayed the handcrafted pin scarf with 65 years worth of 4-H awards and pins earned as a member, a 4-H leader and volunteer. She spoke of receiving 4-H awards and encouraged the youths to keep their pins as a history of their involvement of 4-H.
“One of the very special parts of this evening is that one of my old 4-Hers is here to celebrate this award, Scott Hardy and his family. I treasure so many beautiful memories and friends I have made in 4-H,” Anthony said. “Some of ‘my kids’ are now mothers, grandmothers, fathers and grandfathers. Being a part of 4-H has made me so proud of these people and their lives. Some of them still call me ‘Mom’.”
Schoolcraft County was much honored to show appreciation to a special individual who has had a positive influence and impact on countless youth through the 4-H program.
Michigan State University Extension helps people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs and opportunities. Offices in counties across the state link the research of the land-grant university, MSU, to challenges facingcommunities. Citizens serving on county Extension councils regularly help select focus areas for programming. MSU Extension is funded jointly by county boards of commissioners,the state through Michigan State University and federally through the US Department of Agriculture.
Students celebrate getting GEDs and second chance at education
He didn’t have a mortarboard cap, so he tossed his baseball cap in the air to celebrate earning his General Educational Development (GED) high school equivalency diploma. Robert Rines was one of 28 students participating in the GED prep program at MSU Extension’s Family Resource Center in Schoolcraft County.
The program was developed in response to the need for a local GED prep program. Funding for the local adult basic education program had been cut in 2002, requiring students to travel hundreds of miles to attend classes to prepare for taking the GED.
“A lot of things happened when I was a teen and I was hanging out with the wrong crowd, so I dropped out of high school,” Rines said. “I had lost all motivation and was having a hard time finding work.”
“My family had moved around quite a bit and one counselor told me I had so few credits, I wouldn’t graduate from high school until I was 20. I was devastated and just gave up and quit,” said Sommer Sutton, another prep program participant. “Without a diploma, I couldn’t even apply for most job openings and there was no hope of a college education.”
Acquiring a GED requires a student to complete a series of five tests that assess the knowledge and skills expected of high school graduates in interpreting literature and the arts, mathematics, science, social studies and writing.
This was a barrier to many people and the need for more localized support was evident. A workgroup was formed and a plan developed to offer tutoring and training within the community and assistance in accessing the regional testing facility.
“I thought I was bound for failure. I was a high school dropout and I made many bad choices,” said Rines. / “I was scared to go back to school and to try and take a test again, added Sutton, “but the practice questions, reviews and all the feedback, helped us develop a feel for the kind of skills you will need to pass the GED. The tutors were so positive and caring and they covered all the testing areas thoroughly with step-by-step instructions and helpful test taking strategies. It made a difference for me. I feel like I got a second chance!”
Alternative Education Students Learn By Doing
MSU Extension Family Nutrition Program staff members and alternative education students at the Jack Reque Alternative High School rolled up their sleeves and opened up the courthouse doors to the public for a Holiday Dinner on Dec. 12.
The young adults who took part in the event, which was the culmination of a multi-part educational series, are students who have not been successful learners in the traditional school setting.
Through a hands-on learning experience they studied nutrition, portion control and safe food handling. At the end of their program the students prepared a full-course turkey dinner. They determined the menu to be served, decorated the room, prepared the food, served it and cleaned up after the dinner. From stuffing the turkey to baking and decorating the desserts, the entire class took part in some form of preparation.
The students learned valuable life skills and received recognition for their great efforts in the local newspaper.
This is the first time that the MSU Extension Family Nutrition Program and the high school’s alternative education class held a dinner for community members.
The teachers at the high school sent a thank you card that read in part, “The students enjoyed the dinner and talked about it for days after.” They went on to thank the Extension program for the wonderful opportunity that staff members offered to the students.
MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution, Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Thomas G. Coon, Extension Director, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI 48824