Alice LeJeune, a retired school teacher in Rapides Parish, has served as a 4-H organizational leader for seven years in five elementary 4-H Clubs. She is coordinator of the Cloverbud program, which comprises 10 clubs with 150 members in grades K-3. A trademark of her clubs is community project work with veterans and youth. She coordinates the parish “pull tab” program through which clubs collect soft drink tabs for St. Jude Hospital and Ronald McDonald House in Monroe, La. Her club members conduct drives to collect personal hygiene products, snacks and magazines for the local VA hospital. Ms. LeJeune is known throughout the school system as the “expert” on parliamentary procedure and flag etiquette. She also coordinates the 4-H educational stations at the local Children’s Museum known as the “Tree House.” For her untiring efforts, Alice LeJeune has been the recipient of the 4-H Continued Excellence Award and the Distinguished Service Award for volunteers.

Jimbo Thiels began 4-H work as a child, and as an adult he has made a tremendous impact on the 4-H program at the parish and state levels. He served numerous roles on parish-level committees and as president of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation. He currently is chairman of the Central District Livestock Show Committee, secures buyers for the the livestock and is the host of the live TV broadcast of the sale of champions.