From 4-H Alberta:

Westerose, Alberta -- The 4-H Foundation of Alberta is proud and thrilled to announce that for the second time, the organization awarded the largest monetary scholarship that 4-H Alberta has to offer: in September 2019, the Elmer and Ona Hansen Memorial Fund Scholarship Selection Committee awarded a combined total of $80,000 to ten (10) Alberta rural farm youth.

“Ten deserving youth were awarded scholarships that will help them pursue their career goals and empower them to soon make vital impacts in their communities. Thanks to the dedication and support of passionate donors like Lillian and Edward Ness, we are able to help our 4-H youth ease their financial burden of postsecondary education. We are very grateful for the generosity of Lillian and Edward Ness, two visionary donors with an unmatched love for youth and 4-H Alberta, who made this scholarship possible,” says Leah Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the 4-H Foundation of Alberta.

The Elmer and Ona Hansen Memorial Fund Scholarship was established by Lillian and Edward Ness in honour and memory of Mrs. Lillian Ness’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer and Ona Hansen.

The scholarship is designed to help rural farm youth who must leave home to pursue a post-secondary education or trade. In September 2019, the following applicants received an Elmer and Ona Hansen Memorial Fund Scholarship:

  • One (1) scholarship valued at $20,000: Jade Nelson (Stirling)
  • One (1) scholarship valued at $15,000: Carter Reed (Delia)
  • One (1) scholarship valued at $10,000: Shelby DeSmet (Spirit River)
  • Seven (7) scholarships, valued at $5,000 each: Adele Beaudoin (Red Deer County), Bethany Clark (Bassano), Koryn Duncan (Coronation), Brookelyn Felske (Busby), Samantha Hutchings (Sturgeon County), Tiana Miller (Blackie) and Bryanne Peltzer (Duchess)

The 4-H Foundation of Alberta is proud and honoured to create a legacy on behalf of Hansen/ Ness Family and will continue to award the Elmer and Ona Hansen Memorial Fund Scholarship in 2020 and beyond. A minimum of $80,000 will be awarded each year going forward.

“I am incredibly honoured to receive this award! It’s pretty stressful to move out and start university and this scholarship has really helped ease some of my worries about how I would be able to survive university financially.” says Jade Nelson, the first placed winner of the 2019 Elmer and Ona Hansen Memorial Fund Scholarship.

“Most of all, I am grateful for the opportunities that have risen because of this scholarship. Next summer instead of simply focusing on trying to make enough money to pay for another year of school I am hoping to go on a humanitarian trip to help people in developing countries as well as gain new experiences to help prepare me for the years to come.”

The Elmer and Ona Hansen Memorial Fund Scholarship will open its 2020 applications on May 1, 2020 and the application will be posted on the 4-H Alberta website: www.4h.ab.ca.

About 4-H Alberta

4-H Alberta is a leading youth organization committed to developing outstanding leaders with indispensable skills to succeed in today’s society. Through the efforts of a dedicated provincial network, 4-H Alberta offers programs, trips, awards and scholarships for members, volunteer leaders, and families.

About the 4-H Foundation of Alberta

The 4‑H Foundation of Alberta was formed in 1977 as a nonprofit charitable foundation to build and operate the Alberta 4‑H Centre. Today, a big part of the work of the 4-H Foundation of Alberta includes the overview and management of scholarships as well as fundraising efforts to support the 4-H Alberta’s outstanding youth programs and events.