|
| Ms. Clara O'Sullivan is pictured with Paul D. Coreil ,Vice Chancellor and Director, LSU AgCenter. |
Clara O’ Sullivan served as a 4-H Volunteer from 1972 until 2001. She was a 4-H leader at Joshua Butler Elementary in Marrero, Louisiana and at Walter Schneckenburger Elementary in Kenner, Louisiana. She also served as a teacher representative on the Jefferson 4-H Foundation Board and the Jefferson 4-H Advisory Council. Youth learned skills in citizenship, responsibility, caring for others, independence, and organization. Youth planned and conducted activities such as cooking contests and demonstrations (several youth went on to win parish, regional and state competitions), school clean up drives, recycling drives, teacher appreciation, repairing torn carpet so people won’t trip and hurt themselves, planting trees on school grounds in recognition of Arbor Day, held various fund raisers to support local charities, bike rodeos, and collecting food for the needy.
One major impact Ms. O’Sullivan had on the 4-H program was having the highest number of youth who stayed in 4-H beyond elementary school. It was Ms. O’Sullivan’s effort that ensured all interested 4-H’ers were given the opportunity to stay in 4-H through clubs at nearby middle schools or through mailbox membership. Many of these youth attended 4-H University, won college scholarships, and served as 4-H camp counselors. Many of her former 4-H’ers keep in touch with her and constantly remind her how much 4-H impacted their lives.
Ms. O’Sullivan was honored as “Teacher of the Year “twice in her career by the Jefferson Parish Public School System. She has received numerous awards and recognition from the Jefferson Parish 4-H Foundation.