Benton County 4-H Members Won State Awards
Thirty-six Arkansas 4-H members earned scholarships and leadership roles at the August 2026 State O'Rama.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Fairs and Festivals
Thirty-six 4-H members from Benton County traveled to the University of Arkansas campus in August 2026 to compete at the Arkansas State 4-H O'Rama. Participants showcased their project work, leadership experiences, and community service to earn various state honors.
Why it matters
The State 4-H O'Rama provides vital opportunities for youth to secure financial scholarships and fulfill state-level leadership appointments. These recognitions validate years of project work and community involvement among participating students.
Benton County members secured $5,000, $2,000, and $1,000 scholarships, while eight students were selected as state ambassadors for the 2026-2027 term. Participants demonstrated project mastery through competitive activity areas at the state level.
The players
Sulli Schaffer
She is a Benton County 4-H member who received a $5,000 state scholarship for her project work.
Brooklyn Luedecke
She is a Benton County 4-H member who was installed as a 2026-2027 Arkansas State 4-H Officer.
Crystal Estrada
She is a Benton County 4-H member who was awarded a $2,000 state scholarship.
Bailey Malone
She is a Benton County 4-H member who was awarded a $2,000 state scholarship.
Emily Jackson
She is a Benton County 4-H member who received a $1,000 state scholarship.
The details
Members were evaluated on their comprehensive Record Books, which detail their commitment to project work, leadership, and community service. Top performers earned state championships and the opportunity to represent Arkansas at the upcoming National 4-H Congress.
Timeline
The State 4-H O'Rama took place throughout August 2026.
The term for newly appointed state ambassadors and officers spans 2026-2027.
State Record Book winners will travel to the National 4-H Congress in November 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The success of these students follows a pattern set by the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, which serves as the premier annual gathering for top-performing youth project participants. These state-level victories function as the primary qualification track for national competition.
For local students, these results highlight the specific competitive activity areas and record-keeping standards required to access state scholarship funding. Interested members can leverage these project guidelines to improve their own eligibility for the 2027 program cycle.
The takeaway
Consistent participation in state-level project work remains the most effective path for students to secure significant academic scholarships. Prospective members should focus on maintaining comprehensive records of their community service to maximize their competitiveness in future O'Rama events.
What happens next
State Record Book winners are scheduled to travel to the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta in November 2026 to compete at the national level.
Further reading
Learn more about local youth programs and agricultural exhibitions in our Fairs and Festivals section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pea Ridge Times.
