Two From Louisiana Receive National 4-H Awards

By Johnny Morgan, LSU AgCenter

BATON ROUGE — Two Louisianians received awards for their service to the LSU AgCenter 4-H youth development program during the 4-H Heritage Luncheon at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland, on Oct. 6.

Paul Coreil, retired AgCenter vice chancellor and director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, was inducted into the national 4-H Hall of Fame during the 4-H Heritage Luncheon at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland on Oct. 6. Pictured with Coreil are Lisa Lauxman, director of the Division of Youth and 4-H, NIFA; Lena Mallory, National Association of Extension 4-H Agents past president; and Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO, National 4-H Council.Photo provided by National 4-H organization

Paul Coreil, retired AgCenter vice chancellor and director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame, and Scott Lee, of Vernon Parish, was presented the 2017 National 4-H Salute to Excellence Co-Volunteer of the Year award.

Coreil said some of the activities that gave him the greatest satisfaction involved expanding and improving camp facilities at Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center in Grant Parish.

“During my tenure, we were able to purchase additional acres to expand the camping area and also received additional adjacent acreage donated by the RoyOMartin company. Both additions added almost 20 additional acres to 4-H camp,” he said.

This has enhanced the camp educational experience with a state-of-the-art indoor-outdoor classroom, shooting sports range, and wetland education ponds and facilities, Coreil said.

“Before these additions, there was no building at Camp Grant Walker that could hold all of the campers at any given summer camp,” he said. “So they were not able to gather as an entire camp group indoors protected from inclement weather.”

Coreil said the ribbon cutting for this facility a couple of years ago surely was one of the highlights of his administrative and fundraising involvement with Louisiana 4-H. 

Even in retirement, Coreil continues to be involved in fundraising activities for 4-H. One of those activities is the Louisiana 4-H Guns and Gumbo fundraiser.

“For the 2017 event, we raised $30,000 for Louisiana 4-H,” he said. “The upcoming 2018 event will be our 10th anniversary.”

Scott Lee, of Vernon Parish, receives his award from Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO of the National 4-H Council. Lee was recognized as the 2017 National 4-H Salute to Excellence Co-Volunteer of the Year during the 4-H Heritage Luncheon at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland, on Oct. 6. Photo by Patrick Tuck, LSU AgCenter

Lee said receiving his honor is “almost overwhelming.”

“I don't know of any person that volunteers to receive an award or recognition,” Lee said. “I volunteer because I want to make a difference in and leave a positive impact on the lives of our youth. Seeing my 4-H’ers succeed and learn in life is truly its own reward.”

Lee has been active not only in the Vernon Parish 4-H program, but also on the Louisiana Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) Board, the Sabine SET Board and the Central Louisiana Leadership Board.

Lee also is active in the various leadership camps. Former Louisiana 4-H member Tristen Nicholas said Lee is what some 4-H’ers consider to be “4-H famous.”

“He is liked by everyone and is always bringing a positive attitude to the environment,” she said.

Lee is known to dedicate all of his free time to the 4-H program.

He started his 4-H career as a fourth-grader at Hornbeck Elementary in Vernon Parish, enjoying the traditional 4-H activities, said AgCenter 4-H agent Kemberly Johnson.

“I have known Scott first as a 4-H member and more recently for the past eight years as a 4-H adult volunteer,” Johnson said. “Scott started his venture into the parish and region levels after being asked to chaperone 4-H Mini-Marsh Maneuvers, and he’s been hooked ever since.”

In addition to working with the different 4-H leadership boards, Lee also has been instrumental in fundraising activities, which include helping Vernon Parish 4-H raise more than $13,000 for each of the past three years.