‘Making the Best Better’: Solano County Teens Receive Scholarships
Three Solano County teens receive Lynne Burns Memorial 4-H Scholarships for their leadership and achievements in the Solano County 4-H Youth Development Program.
The scholarship, sponsored by Solano County 4-H Leaders Council, memorializes Lynne Burns of Rio Vista, a nine-year Solano County 4-H Program Representative who succumbed to cancer on Nov. 17, 1995. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, submit their resume, obtain several recommendations, write an essay as well as sit for an interview. All three of the students excelled in the 4-H program, through 4-H projects, community service and leadership, developing interests and shaping talents that will propel them towards future success.
Matthew Agbayani is a graduate of Vacaville High School. He has been a member of the Vaca Valley 4-H Club for twelve years. There he has gained his platinum star rank, served as President, Treasurer, and other officer positions. Over the years, he has been an active member and leader within his projects: Photography, Movie Review, and Leadership. Matthew earned his Eagle Scout Rank and was active in the Vacaville High School’s Drumline. Matthew will be attending Sacramento State University where he will major in Mechanical Engineering.
Alexis Taliaferro is a graduate of Early College High School, a program based through Rodriguez High School that allows students to take both high school and college classes for all 4 years. She has been in the Suisun Valley 4-H club for 11 years; Alexis has attained her platinum star ranking, and has served as the President, Healthy Living Officer, Sergeant-At-Arms, Refreshments Officer, and Recreation Officer of the club. Alexis credits the 4-H program for helping grow her confidence in public speaking and leadership. During her time in 4-H, Alexis was also a year-round competitive swimmer, an active volunteer for multiple animal sanctuaries, and the President of her own 501c3 nonprofit kitten rescue. She was also a student of Early College High School’s Leadership Class and a member of The National Honors Society. Alexis graduated with high honors and was awarded Early College High School’s Student of the Year and Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District’s student of the month. Alexis will be attending a university in Austria where she will study International Business/Intercultural Management.
Clairese Wright is a graduate of Rodriguez High School. A 13-year Suisun Valley 4-H Club member, she has earned both Emerald and Platinum Stars. She has held many club offices including Reporter, Recreation Officer, and President. She is completing her service as a Solano County 4-H All-Star Ambassador, the highest attainable award at the county level. Clairese has been active in a wide variety of projects ranging from Dog Training and Woodworking to Leadership and Preservation. As a teen leader, she led her club’s Nail Art Project. 4-H also allowed her to discover her spark for helping the environment. She was able to show this passion through her Emerald Star Project titled, “Don’t Make Pollution. Be the Solution.” In this project, she taught elementary grade students in our community the importance of keeping the environment clean. Because of her Emerald Star Project work, she was chosen as a recipient of the 2022 Solano County Soroptomist Violet Richardson Award for excellence in community service. Clairese plans to attend UCLA in the fall, majoring in Environmental Science.
4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, was founded on the belief that when kids are empowered to pursue their passions and chart their own course, their unique skills grow and take shape, helping them to become true leaders in their lives, careers and communities. The 4-H program, open to all youth age 5 through 19 years, engages nearly six million young people across the United States. The California 4-H program is a part of the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), a statewide network of the University of California.
For more information about the 4-H Youth Development Program, contact Jen Henkens, Capitol Corridor 4-H Supervisor, via email at jahenkens@ucanr.edu or phone (530) 312-6254 or visit solano4h.ucanr.edu/
