Roscoe Collegiate 4-H Program receives Superior Service Award
Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, [email protected]
Contact: Dr. Darrell Dromgoole, [email protected]
BRYAN – A team comprised of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service staff and a West Texas school superintendent have been honored with a Superior Service Award in the diversity award team category.
Superior Service Awards recognize AgriLife Extension faculty and staff members who provide outstanding performance in AgriLife Extension education or other outstanding service to the organization and to Texans.
The award was presented Jan. 12 during the AgriLife Extension conference awards dinner at the Brazos Expo Center in Bryan.
The AgriLife Extension team members were Dr. Darrell Dromgoole, strategic partnership specialist at College Station; Roxanna Reyna, 4-H program specialist, Roscoe; LaBeth Carter, family and consumer sciences agent in Nolan County; and Zach Wilcox, agriculture and natural resources agent in Nolan County. They were honored along with Dr. Kim Alexander, Roscoe Independent School District superintendent.
The team was recognized for their work with the Roscoe Collegiate 4-H Program, which stimulates interest and engagement among minority and underserved students in the science technology engineering and mathematics, or STEM, subjects in its STEM Academy through two 4-H curricula, according to their nomination.
The team’s work has been spurred by Texas’ population growth, changing demographics, poverty and a globally competitive workforce that all carry the risk of a diminished quality of life in Texas, the nomination said.
Beginning in 2012 the Roscoe Collegiate School District and AgriLife Extension have worked together with minority and underserved youth with the goal of helping them prepare for, attend and ultimately graduate from community colleges and universities.
The alliance provides Roscoe students with the resources necessary to compete in today’s educational and workforce environments. The nomination noted that the Roscoe model serves as an excellent example that can be replicated by other small and rural schools across the nation that are working to improve the public education system so their students are prepared for success in school, the workforce and life.
Since it’s introduction, the total 4-H enrollment in Nolan County has increased 176 percent. The jump in enrollment is important, the nomination states, citing research that showed 4-H involvement is a strong indicator of potential success. Compared to their peers, youth involved in 4-H excel in several important areas related to college achievement, including participation in STEM programs and civic and other community activities.
