North Central Region 4-H Hall of Fame inductees and their parishes: (seated, from left) Laverne D. Hightower, Claiborne; Mary Poe, Lincoln; and Carolyn Reber Phillips, Winn; (standing) E.E. Letlow, Bienville; H.P. “Sleepy” Roberts, Union; and Bobby Culpepper, Jackson. (Photo by Mark Claesgens) (Click on photo to download larger image.)

News Release Distributed 04/01/08

Six people from North Central Louisiana were inducted into the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H Hall of Fame on March 27. They will join 94 others across the state who will be the first 100 honored as part of the state’s 4-H centennial celebration.

The honorees and their parishes are E.E. Letlow, Bienville; Laverne Hightower, Claiborne; Bobby Culpepper, Jackson; Mary Poe, Lincoln; H.P. “Sleepy” Roberts, Union; and Carolyn Phillips, Winn.

The six have in excess of 200 years of dedication to 4-H, said Allen Nipper, North Central regional director.

All 100 will be featured at the 4-H Museum in Avoyelles Parish when it opens in December as one of the culminating activities of the centennial year.

The North Central Louisiana honorees are:

Bienville – E.E. Letlow was a 4-H and county agent with 38 years of service. His accomplishments include working with the junior leadership club, gardening contests and providing peaches for many educational demonstrations.

Claiborne – Laverne Hightower has been a volunteer for 24 years. She has conducted record book workshops, served on the State 4-H Advisory Council and was a delegate to Washington, D.C., on the Louisiana 4-H Volunteer Ambassador Program. She was a charter member and treasurer of the Claiborne 4-H Foundation.

Jackson – Bobby Culpepper served as president of his local club in 1952-53, 1955-56 and 1957-58. He also served as reporter and song leader. He participated in the State Junior Leadership Conference for four years, 4-H Short Course for five years and the National Dairy Conference. He is an attorney in Jonesboro and continues to contribute to the sale of the local livestock projects.

Lincoln – Mary Poe promotes 4-H through the air waves and Web page of the Radio Center where she is employed as public service director. She serves on the Lincoln Parish Advisory Council and volunteers as a judge for contests.

Union – H.P. “Sleepy” Roberts, a retired 4-H agent who served from l954 to 1988, influenced the lives of many 4-H’ers. Terry Dumas, LSU AgCenter animal sciences specialist and former student of Roberts’, describes him as a teacher, leader and “one of us” at the same time.

Winn – Carolyn Phillips served as a home economist/4-H agent for 30 years. She was instrumental in the development of the Winn Parish 4-H Woodsman’s Skills Competition as a youth event in conjunction with the Louisiana Forest Festival. After retirement she served as the Winnfield Main Street manager and coordinator for economic development. As director of the Louisiana Political Museum, she remains involved in youth development. She serves on the Winn Parish Advisory Committee and judges 4-H activities.

In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, a special recognition was given to Ruth Johnson from Lincoln Parish, who is 102 years old and for whom a scholarship is named. The Ruth Johnson 4-H Scholarship was established in 1990 and is awarded annually to a graduating 4-H’er by the Louisiana 4-H Foundation. She was born in 1906 and was a teacher.

“These people have dedicated their lives to develop youth in Louisiana,” said Dwight Landreneau, LSU AgCenter associate vice chancellor.

Mark Tassin, director of the LSU AgCenter 4-H program, said, “It is great to see the appreciation these recipients have shown. We are going to continue to meet the needs of the young people, the need to belong and to master a skill.”

# # #

Contacts: Karen Martin at (318) 927-2578, or kmartin@agcenter.lsu.edu

Dwight Landreneau at (225) 578-2391, or dlandreneau@agcenter.lsu.edu

Mark Tassin at (225) 578-2196, or mgtassin@agcenter.lsu.edu

Writer: Mary Ann Van Osdell at (318) 741-7430, ext. 1104, or mvanosdell@agcenter.lsu.edu