Four Manitoba 4-H members awarded $10,000 scholarships – OkotoksOnline
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Four exceptional 4-H members are being recognized for their leadership, dedication, and community involvement through this year’s Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarships.
The $10,000 scholarships are awarded annually to support post-secondary education for 4-H members who demonstrate outstanding commitment to their clubs, communities, and the values of 4-H Manitoba.
“The Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship Program was initiated a few years back by the Department of Agriculture,” notes Shannon Carvey, Executive Director of the Manitoba 4-H Council. “Manitoba 4-H Council is shepherding that scholarship opportunity for 4-H members, both past and current, across the province of Manitoba.”
Each of this year’s Leaders of Tomorrow scholarship recipients is being recognized not only for their personal achievements, but also in honour of long-serving 4-H leaders who have made lasting contributions to their clubs and communities. Brooklyn Piasta, attending the University of Manitoba, receives her $10,000 award in honour of Estelle Bahuaud of the Headingley 4-H Club. Allison Beaumont, studying at Brandon University, is recognized in memory of the late Sharon Evans from the Hartney 4-H Club. Sarah Meggison, also at the University of Manitoba, receives her scholarship in honour of Lois Clarke of the Poplar Hill 4-H Club, while Ashlyn Whetter, attending the University of Manitoba, is celebrated in honour of Karen Jones from the Tilston 4-H Beef Club.
Each receives $10,000 toward their studies, funded through a $1 million endowment established by the Manitoba government with the Brandon Area Community Foundation.
Applicants must be current or former 4-H members up to age 30. The process involves a detailed written submission, including an essay, followed by interviews with the top-ranked candidates.
“Members submit their applications, which also include an essay," says Carvey. "Those applications are scored by the committee based on a rubric of points across different categories. Then the top 10 applicants are interviewed, and the top four scores are awarded the scholarship.”
Carvey mentions that 21 applications were received for 2025, and narrowing them down to just four was a challenge.
“It is extremely difficult,” she adds. “Our members who are applying for this scholarship are exemplary. Often, it comes down to half a point separating many of our applicants. It's really a tight race.”
The Manitoba government’s contribution through the endowment fund ensures long-term support for 4-H students pursuing higher education. Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn congratulated the winners, noting that 4-H continues to play an important role in developing young leaders.
“One hundred and twelve years ago, Canada’s 4-H movement began here in Manitoba, paving the way for a long and successful history of opportunities for Manitoba’s youth to develop leadership and communication skills while learning about agriculture and environmental sustainability,” Kostyshyn said in a news release. “On behalf of the Manitoba government, I congratulate all of the 2025 scholarship recipients and extend my heartfelt wishes as they head toward a bright future in our province.”
Carvey continues that beyond financial help, the scholarships are a way to recognize years of commitment and leadership.
“I think scholarships in general are exceptionally important to any student, not just our 4-H members, to help them through their post-secondary career,” she remarks. “We see it as a reward for being a dedicated, exceptional member of 4-H. All of the applicants that we had this round have been lifelong 4-H members and really dedicated their lives to the program, which is based on experiential, hands-on learning.”
Carvey notes that 4-H Manitoba is proud to see members advancing both personally and academically through opportunities like this.
“We appreciate and really have enjoyed going through all the scholarships that were submitted,” she says. “We congratulate the top four winners. They all are exceptional 4-H members and really champions for the program.”
The next round of Leaders of Tomorrow scholarships opens in early 2026, with applications closing in mid-February.
For more information about 4-H Manitoba and its programs, visit 4h.mb.ca.
