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Employed by Winn Parish School Board for 31 years and voted Winn Parish Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Melinda Miles is motivated by her love for children and for education. When she started teaching, the position for 4-H leader came open, and she jumped at the opportunity. As the Dodson High School Senior 4-H Club leader for the past 21 years, she has also served on the Winn Parish 4-H Advisory Committee for nine years. Mrs. Miles is also on the Winn Parish 4-H Foundation board and is a member of the 4-H Livestock Support Group. She is a Livestock Project Leader and serves on the Winn Parish Fair board. She not only works with Winn Parish youth but willingly works with all youth in surrounding parishes, giving guidance and direction in livestock projects and 4-H contests.
She has taught club members that everyone has something to contribute to their club, their community and their world. She has taught the true meaning of service learning by directing members to look around their community and survey its needs. Then she directs them to come up with a way that, together, their club can make a difference. She is a member of numerous organizations, including the Winn Parish Livestock Club, Louisiana Meat Goat Association, North Louisiana Rabbit Association, Louisiana Cattlewomen’s Association, Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, Winn Parish Cattlemen’s Association, Winn Western Riding Club, Jackson Parish Riding Club, Lazy T Youth Rodeo Association, Little Wrangler Rodeo Association and Just Say Whoa Riding Club. She is also a member of Welcome Home Baptist Church, where she is a church hostess and Sunday school teacher and a vacation Bible school director.
Mrs. Miles has been recognized as Winn Parish Outstanding Club Leader numerous times. Under her direction, the Dodson High School Senior 4-H Club has received many Winn Parish Club of the Year awards.She received the coveted Louisiana State 4-H Records Leader Award and was granted the Educational Trip to Chattanooga in July 2016. Mrs. Miles has significantly helped Louisiana 4-H youth reach life-changing goals and learn what 4-H is all about by motivating and encouraging all students to join and take an active part in their student-led, hands-on 4-H Club. She treats all children equally, working with special needs students with physical and educational disabilities. When asked about her involvement in 4-H, Mrs. Miles stated that she always “wanted to be a part of the most productive national organization that helps to shape the minds, hearts and hands of young people.” She says, “through 4-H activities and good moral programs,” she has been able to help others bring out the best qualities in themselves. Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Melinda Miles to the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame!
