Red River Parish School Superintendent Kay J. Easley was among ten adults recognized for their contributions to the Louisiana 4-H program during an awards banquet on June 19, 2008, as part of the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H University program on the LSU campus.

The adults honored included four 4-H alumni who continue to show active support of the youth development program, two school superintendents, two professors on the LSU AgCenter faculty and two secretaries from LSU AgCenter offices. Parish school superintendents recognized for their outstanding support of 4-H were Kay Easley of Red River Parish and Dr. Amy Westbrook of St. Helena Parish.

Ms. Easley began her career in education in 1972 as a junior high school teacher for Morehouse Parish. She served there for two successful years before returning to Red River Parish in 1974 as an elementary classroom teacher. After serving in that capacity for a number of years, Ms. Easley was promoted to Chapter 1 Supervisor. After 12 years as Supervisor, she became Director of Federal Programs. While in this role, she served in many organizations and was elected President of the Louisiana Reading Association. Ms. Easley made presentations at numerous Louisiana Reading Association conferences, as well as on the international level at IRA.

In 2000, with a career of more than 25 years in education, she took that experience to a new height when she became superintendent of Red River Parish schools. During her tenure in the parish she has accomplished many tasks, including consolidating parish schools, being ranked #1 in the state for growth among all parishes and being chairwoman of the Regional Superintendent’s Council. She is supported in her many endeavors by her husband, Frank, and son, Justin.

Throughout Kay Easley’s eight years as Superintendent, officials say there is no one more supportive of 4-H and that she also participates in many 4-H meetings and events when her schedule allows. She is a strong advocate of 4-H programs, such as CHARACTER COUNTS and Smart Bodies. She allows meetings to be conducted during the school days and continually supports many after school programs headed by 4-H. She truly understands the value of the 4-H programs and all that it does for the students of Red River Parish.

“Without the outstanding dedication and support of the volunteer leaders, school superintendents and our own faculty and staff, we wouldn’t be able to serve the number of young people we have involved in our 4-H youth development program across Louisiana,” said Dr. Paul Coreil, vice chancellor of the LSU AgCenter. “It is always great to be able to recognize some of those who have put forth so much effort to make 4-H Clubs the best they can be.”

4-H is the youth development and outreach program of the nation’s land-grant universities and is operated across Louisiana by the LSU AgCenter. The youth program’s overriding mission is to help young people develop skills and knowledge that will benefit them and their communities throughout their lives.

For information on 4-H in Red River Parish, contact Cindy Smith or David Yount, Jr., at 318-932-4342, or visit the office located in the Administration Building behind the Courthouse in Coushatta.