Eight DeSoto Parish 4-H’ers received the Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders Award from Chesapeake Energy Tuesday. They are: front row, Charlie McClintock, Justin Shelton, Shana Smith and Haley Parker. Back row: Chesapeake’s Kevin McCotter, Jameka Howard, Taylor Register, Gregory Simmons, Tabitha Burr and Chesapeake’s Paul Pratt. (Photo by Mary Ann Van Osdell. Click on photo for downloadable image.)

Members of Red River Parish 4-H were recognized by Chesapeake Energy as Discovering tomorrows Leaders. Front row: Ty Birdsong, Shondricka Grant, Geron Davis and Seth Mason. Back row: Stonie Harris, Hannah Price and Darrell McLemore. (Photo by Mary Ann Van Osdell. Click on photo for downloadable image.)

News Release Distributed 04/13/09

Fourteen of 16 students in DeSoto and Red River parishes who received the Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders awards, a program sponsored by Chesapeake Energy, are members of 4-H.

Each honoree's school received a computer. Winners were recognized at a banquet on April 7 in DeSoto and April 9 in Red River, where two from each parish received a laptop computer from a random drawing, also all 4-H’ers.

Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders is designed to recognize and reward local school students for their citizenship and community involvement. Beginning Feb. 1, two students from each parish were recognized in alternating weeks for eight weeks.

Eligible students could be members of 4-H, Fellowship of Christian Athletes or provide community service to any non-profit organization. Nominations were accepted via the general public.

DeSoto and Red River Parish chamber of commerce members judged.

The event was held in Caddo and Bossier parishes in the fall.

DeSoto Parish winners are:

Tabitha Burr, 17, Stanley High School. Tabitha has collected canned goods for needy families, donated to Toys for Tots, sold shamrocks to raise money for muscular dystrophy and is secretary for her 4-H club. In Beta, she takes her job as treasurer very seriously.

Jameka Howard, 17, Pelican All Saints High School. Jameka is on the Superintendent List, is an award-winning poet and is an active member in her church. She aspires to be a trauma surgeon. Her list of organizations includes Federation of Families, Founder of Teen Camp Express, Upward Bound, DeSoto 4-H Jr. Leaders, state ambassador for 4-H, president of Future Business Leaders of America, yearbook staff, Who’s Who, Drama Club and National Honor Society.

Charlie McClintock, 11, Logansport Elementary School. He is 4-H reporter and volunteers in the Toledo Bend Baptist Ministry, where he sets up equipment for bible schools and other activities. He visits and delivers gifts to nursing home residents. Charlie is preparing for a May mission trip to Honduras with the District B Medical and Dental Team.

Haley Parker, 11, North DeSoto Elementary. She raises funds for MDA, breast cancer, Down Syndrome and church missionaries. Haley takes cards, gifts and brownies to local nursing homes. She teaches kids about the dairy industry and helps them with their 4-H projects.

Taylor Register, 17, Logansport High School. Taylor has been 4-H president for five years. He volunteers to beautify the school and community residents’ homes. He shows animals in 4-H has won numerous prestigious titles. He performs on the drama team at his church and helps raise funds. Taylor is a member of the baseball team and competes in rodeo events across the country.

Justin Shelton, 11, Mansfield Elementary School. Justin has been a very active member of his church and a dedicated volunteer of Delitter DeSoto.

Gregory Simmons, 13, North DeSoto Middle School. He is a member of the Louisiana Wildlife Conservation and was third place winner of the Wildlife Photo Contest. He’s been a Social Studies and Science Fair winner and last year placed first in parish and overall Science Fair winner for the parish. In the 2008 Parish Fair, he won the Grand Champion Showmanship Award; Reserve Grand Champion Bantam Duck; five blue ribbons for chickens, one red ribbon for chickens and two blue ribbons for ducks. In the 2008 State Fair he won five blue ribbons for chickens, one red ribbon for chickens and two blue ribbons for ducks. Gregg has participated in the 4-H Livestock and Poultry Quiz Bowl and 4-H Shooting Club.

Shana Smith, 10. Logansport Elementary School. Shana brings her miniature horses to the library for the younger children’s reading program. She helps her elderly neighbors with yard work. Shana delivers fruit baskets to nursing homes, Easter eggs to an orphanage and collects canned good for families in need.

Red River Parish winners are:

Ty Birdsong, 10, Red River Elementary School. He is 4-H president and plays football, baseball and basketball. He has participated in “Walk for Education” and “Jump Rope for Hearts.” Ty has recently been selected as the Fifth Grade Red River Parish Student of the Year and has been invited to attend the National Jr. Leaders Conference in Washington, D. C.

Geron Davis, 11, Springville Educational Center. Her nominator said she exhibits true leadership qualities at her young age in the classroom and community, motivating her peers. She collected 1,000 pairs of shoes for Soles4Souls.

Shondricka Grant, 11, Red River Elementary School. She helped senior citizens clean their homes and with other chores.

Stonie Harris, 16, Saline High School. Stonie has been a 4-H member for nine years, serving as president, vice president and secretary. Stonie was Saline's representative to the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Conference.

Darrell McLemore, 15, Riverdale Academy. A member of 4-H since he was 9, he is president his club. Darrell is vice president of the freshman class, vice president of the Louisiana Junior Brangus Association and junior representative for the Louisiana Cattleman’s Association. He is an honor roll student.

Seth Mason, 13, Red River Junior High School. Seth was chosen as Student of the Year for eighth grade this year.

Two Red River winners, though members of 4-H, were hosted by other organizations. They were Tyler Stephens and Hannah Price.