Merlin Jackson served as a 4-H organizational leader at St. Rose Elementary in St. Charles Parish for 32 years (1970-2002). He also served on the parish 4-H advisory committee and was the first president of the St. Charles 4-H Foundation. Mr. Jackson provided club members opportunities to develop life skills by conducting a wide variety of workshops and clinics. His club was awarded first place at Achievement Day for 32 consecutive years. St. Rose received numerous state and national awards for community service, health and safety programs. One of the more noteworthy community projects his club implemented was an annual Christmas social for senior citizens. The program continues today with 300-400 participants. Mr. Jackson’s jovial personality, concern for his students and dynamic personality made him a positive role model for his students. He was named outstanding St. Charles leader and was awarded a trip to Washington D.C. as winner of a state leader award.

Mamie McMillion has been involved with the St. Charles 4-H program since 1973, and she is still active today. She has served as an organizational and project leader, a 4-H Advisory Committee member, a Leadership Advisory Council member, a Junior Leadership Club Leader and parish 4-H foundation treasurer and board member. As clothing leader for 20 years, she has presented more than 40 workshops to 4-H members. Thirty St. Charles Parish club members with whom she worked have been awarded blue ribbons at 4-H University/Short Course in the fashion revue contests. Ms. McMillion is a charter member of the Louisiana Volunteer Leader Association and has regularly attended annual group meetings. Over the years, she has participated in the Southern Regional Leader Conference in Georgia and presented 10 workshops there. Ms. McMillion has supervised 4-H members at summer camps, Challenge Camp, Wild Wood Wanderings Camp, Junior Leadership Conferences and trips. For her dedication and contribution to the 4-H program, Ms. Mamie McMillion has received the Outstanding Parish 4-H Leader Award multiple years and has been recipient of the state Good Provider Leader Award and also the Louisiana Leader Awards trip to Washington, D.C.

Catherine Richard was a 4-H Leader in St. Charles Parish for 55 years. Her students won numerous state and blue ribbon awards at 4-H Short Course at LSU. She served as a chaperone for the Jr. Leaders Camp and for the district wildlife trip.

Mary Triche’s first experiences in 4-H began as a club member for eight years. She has been a dedicated volunteer in St. Charles Parish for 32 years as leader of the 4-H Junior Leader Club (1978-2011) and six years as an organizational leader for the Sacred Heart of Jesus Club. Mrs. Triche has chaperoned a variety of 4-H events including Junior Leadership trips and retreats, 4-H University, camps and shooting sports events. Her expertise with 4-H record keeping has been utilized to train members and leaders. Another of her leadership roles is serving as an activity leader for the bicycle program where she conducts a parish bicycle rodeo and trains members for competitive events. Her talent as a judge has been invaluable at various 4-H events including cookery, public speaking, grooming contests and activity days. As a charter member of the Louisiana 4-H Volunteer Association, she has attended state and regional conferences and received the “Hard Worker” award at the 2008 Southern Regional Leader Forum in Georgia. Additionally, she has been recognized as outstanding 4-H leader in St. Charles Parish, has received the Ruby, Diamond and Pearl volunteer awards for years of service and was named a blue ribbon winner for the state 4-H Alumni Award contest.