The Marshall family children are Summer Synergy Scholarship superstars with all four being honoured for their livestock and academia.
Luke, Ward, Brent and Jade were honoured as four of the 56 winners of the Stampede International Livestock Scholarships earlier this summer during an evening banquet that also saw fellow 4-H-ers from Bowden, Olds, Didsbury and Innisfail win scholarships.
“My kids are third generation 4-H members,” said Leona Marshall, mother of Luke, Ward, Brent and Jade. “Our whole family is involved in some way with 4-H, and we have made it a family priority.”
The four children, aged 14 to 20, have been involved with 4-H since they were each nine years old, and have made the best of the opportunities offered including participating in the Summer Synergy program where they won scholarships from $500 to $2,000.
“Being part of 4-H has allowed me to meet a lot of youth around the province with the same interests,” said 20-year-old Luke, who won a $2,000 scholarship to help with his education at the University of Saskatchewan in the school of agriculture. “We also have the opportunity to work with industry professionals and bring back that knowledge to our farms.”
The university student, like his siblings, had to write a marketing assignment to apply for the scholarship. Luke wrote his on fertilizer nutrition and ethical treatment of animals.
Sixteen-year-old Ward was awarded a $1,000 scholarship for his work during the Synergy event and his marketing assignment on nutrition and halter-breaking.
“Next year will be my last year as part of 4-H,” said Ward, who enjoyed working with his fellow 4-H members. “I plan on going to university, but I don't know what I'm going to study yet.”
Jade, 18, also won a $2,000 scholarship, is in her second year at the University of Saskatchewan and has learned a lifetime of skills from her 4-H association.
“I have enjoyed the same things as my brothers, but certainly I learned other skills like leadership, public speaking and the importance of teamwork,” said the student who has gone on 4-H trips such as to national conferences, and who plans on working off farm after graduation to gain experience. “I might come back to the family farm.”
The youngest Marshall, 14-year-old Brent, picked up the $500 award for his good showing during the Stampede and his group challenge to simulate an Alberta beef buyer/ donation project.
“I enjoy the friendships we make during the events we go to,” said Brent.
With four siblings competing in the beef events, competition is “friendly,” said Luke, whose family owns Future Farms in Red Deer County west of Bowden.
Other Summer Synergy scholarship winners include Zach Caukill (Bowden), Quinci Jones (Olds), Cassidy Matthews (Olds), Nicki Ross (Innisfail), Jill McLerie (Innisfail), Cache McLerie (Innisfail) and Kyla Kelly of Innisfail.
