CANYON Leesa Wood Calvi has been appointed the new county Extension agent for family and consumer sciences effective May 1, according to an announcement, made jointly by County Judge Ted Wood and Texas Agricultural Extension Service district director, Donna Brauchi of Amarillo.
She joined the Extension Service in Randall County in 1985, and will fill the FCS position recently opened when her long time co- worker, Wynon Mayes retired after 10 years of service here. Previously, Calvi was responsible for 4H and youth development programs.
“My predecessor set the standard for community involvement and program innovation here. I will work hard to continue that legacy,” said Calvi, who has been a Randall resident for 16 years.
The agent holds a master of arts degree in communications from WTAMU, and a bachelor of science degree in home economics from Georgia Southern University, Statesboro. She also attended the University of North Texas as a home economics major.
Professionally, Calvi holds certifications in Family and Consumer sciences, and vocational home economics instruction. She taught home economics for three years at Austin Middle School in Amarillo.
She is a member of the American and Texas Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, and the national and state Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. She is a member of Epsilon Sigma Phi National Honorary Extension Fraternity, and currently serves as a district director, and the National and Texas Association of Extension 4-H Agents, where she served as state vice president.
Other affiliations include Amarillo Women’s Network and Canyon Chamber of Commerce. She and her family are members of St. George’s Episcopal Church.
Calvi has been recognized at the state and national level for her efforts in youth development and education programming excellence. In 1997, she received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. She is a San Antonio Livestock Leadership Extension graduate.
The agent is already working on several new opportunities, only recently announced as she begins her new role.
“We have just begun work on an exciting new Extension initiative, called Character Counts. It is designed to teach character building skills to youth from kindergarten through high school,” she said.
In addition, Calvi will be introducing a new food protection management training course for commercial food services in the fall. More recently, she worked with the Texas Association of Family and Community Education (TAFCE) where community service sewing days contributed 35 vests for the Steppin’ Out program, a cultural arts dance program for youth. She is currently working as agent advisor to TAFCE state board members, Mary Neal Henry and Lajuana Thames, both of Canyon.
Calvi and her husband, James, are parents of two daughters, Jennifer, a student at Canyon Junior High, and Jessica, a Crestview Elementary School student.
“We are extremely pleased Leesa will continue building quality programs here. Placing quality educators in every panhandle county ensures continuity of leadership and programming. It is a pleasure to join with Judge Wood and the Randall County Commissions in making this appointment,” Brauchi.
-30-
CFAM