Girl in black dress holding an Oklahoma-shaped plaque and standing next to a large photo of herself. Her parents are also standing next to the photo. — Shelby Kelsey, a 4-H’er from Grady County, was inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame during the 103rd State 4-H Roundup. She is pictured with her parents, James and Jacqueline Kelsey. (Photo by Mitchell Alcala, OSU Agriculture)

Grady County 4-H’er takes top honor at State 4-H Roundup

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Media Contact: Trisha Gedon | Sr. Communications Specialist | 404-744-3625 | trisha.gedon@okstate.edu

Grady County 4-H’er Shelby Kelsey didn’t realize the impact 4-H would have on her life when she joined the Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development program nine years ago.

Throughout her 4-H career, she has experienced success and failure but said the stumbling blocks she encountered on her path are a part of her 4-H story.

While attending the Oklahoma 4-H State Roundup honor night assembly as a younger 4-H’er, she set a goal of being inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame.

“I don’t remember who was inducted all those years ago, but I do remember how I felt about their speeches,” she said. “Each year when I came to Roundup, I’d watch the new inductees, and that inspired me to work harder. Now that I’m finally here I’m proud I have a chance to leave my mark on a younger 4-H’er sitting where I was all those years ago.”

Her dream became reality in July when she was named to the Hall of Fame at the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma Honor Night Assembly during the 103rd State 4-H Roundup at Oklahoma State University. As a new Hall of Fame inductee, Kelsey received a $5,000 scholarship sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma.

A contender for the award the past two years, Kelsey, a member of the Amber-Pocasset Sr. 4-H Club, is wrapping up her final year of 4-H membership and knew she needed to step up her efforts to make the Hall of Fame. In 2023, she began what she called her “YES” year, which is a Year of Extraordinary Service. She continued to build on her service projects such as SAFE (Seatbelts Are For Everyone), Birthday in a Bag, collecting pet food and supplies, sewing pillowcases for children at Southwest Youth Services, making Valentine goody bags, cleaning at the Tuttle Animal Shelter, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, participating in canned food drives, serving as a Cloverbud leader, sewing aprons for the volunteers at the local soup kitchen and more.

“I think what stood out for me this year was the growth I’ve demonstrated from when I began 4-H in third grade to where I am today and the number of people I’ve been able to reach through my projects,” she said. “I have a servant’s heart, and making this a YES year made a difference.”

Kelsey also received the $4,500 J.D. Edmonson Ambassador Scholarship sponsored by the J.D. Edmonson Memorial Ambassador Endowment and the $1,200 Dorris and Allan Goodbarry Scholarship sponsored by Allan Goodbarry.

Liz Taylor is Kelsey’s Grady County 4-H educator and said Kelsey is the definition of servant leadership.

“Her passion for helping others guides her endeavors. It’s hard to believe when she joined 4-H she was shy,” Taylor said. “Today, she is a bright, bubbly, confident young leader. I’m excited to see how Shelby will change the world.”

Kelsey is appreciative of the influence Taylor has had on not only her 4-H career but her life.

“Liz has challenged me to set goals, step out of my comfort zone and strive for greatness in everything I do,” she said. “She always pushes me to be my best, and the lessons I’ve learned from her extend beyond the projects and competitions. Her leadership has inspired me to give back to my community and make a positive difference in the lives of others. She’s the reason I want to become a 4-H educator.”

Her experience serving as leader of the Am-Po Jr. 4-H Club is another reason Kelsey is considering a career in Extension. When approached a couple of years ago about becoming the club leader, she admits she was nervous about taking on the role.

“This has been one of the biggest highlights of my 4-H career,” she said. “The kids are spontaneous and fun, and they make me so proud of how much they’ve accomplished over the past two years. From the moment these kids stepped into my life, I was forever changed. I learn from them just as much as they learn from me.”

Kelsey has made the most of her 4-H career, serving as vice president of the state leadership team, a Healthy Living Ambassador, a State 4-H Ambassador, a member of Key Club, Grady County 4-H president and various other leadership roles on the local, county, district and state levels. She also represented Oklahoma 4-H as a delegate to the National 4-H Congress, Ignite Summit and Citizenship Washington Focus.

Other 4-H career awards include Grady County 4-H Hall of Fame, state record book winner in the achievement project, advanced achievement project winner and four-time Fashion Review champion.

She is the daughter of James and Jacqueline Kelsey and plans to attend OSU this fall with a double major in family and consumer sciences education and marketing and communications.