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Jean Payne

Nominated by: Hidalgo County

Inducted in: 2002

Jean Payne has served as Virden Pots and Patches 4-H club leader for 35 years. She's acted as project leader for projects from sewing, foods, and food preservation, to gardening, embroidery and citizenship. She accompanied the New Mexico delegation to the National 4-H Club Congress in 1976. She also helped secure a $200 grant to allow 4-H members to visit a state legislative session. She served as superintendent of the Hidalgo County Fair's 4-H division for more than 30 years.

Steve Pearce

Nominated by: Lea County

Inducted in: 2002

As the top male achievement winner in 1966, Lea County 4-H member Steve Pearce received a silver tray from President Lyndon Johnson. In 1967, at Lady Bird Johnson's invitation, he served as co-chairman of the National Youth Conference on Natural Beauty and Conservation. After graduating from New Mexico State University, Steve served in Vietnam, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air medals. He and his wife, Cynthia, own Lea Fishing Tools. Steve is a board member of the New Mexico 4-H Foundation and served as president from 1994 to 1998. This year he was selected as New Mexico's representative to the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

Laurel Penner

Nominated by: Sierra County

Inducted in: 2002

Laurel Penner has been a consistent force behind the growth and success of the 4-H program in Sierra County. She spent almost 30 years as the program secretary, serving as the point of contact for 4-H and the county fair. During her tenure, she was well-known and highly respected for her dedication and proficiency, providing a positive influence to every 4-H member.

John & Lilly Pritchard

Nominated by: Mindy Turner

Inducted in: 2005

For more than 25 years, John and Lilly Pritchard have been leaders for Bernalillo County and New Mexico 4-H. They have served on many committees and led project groups for all interests: sewing, welding, woodworking, rocketry, ceramics and livestock, just to name a few. They have managed the 4-H indoor exhibits at the New Mexico State Fair for 25 years and also provide year-round storage for furnishings and supplies used during the fair. Lilly promoted 4-H to the State Fair management, as well as soliciting sponsors. John assisted with revising the welding and rocketry projects and serves as a judge for the engineering exhibit each year. The Pritchards are truly a 4-H family. On top of raising their three kids in 4-H, John and Lilly have continued to serve, providing a role model for other 4-H members over the years.

Angelina Provine

Nominated by: Lincoln County Extension Office

Inducted in: 2004

Ramond and GiGi Parker

Raymond and GiGi Parker of Quay County

Inducted in 2009

Quay County 4-H was fortunate to have Raymond and Gigi Parker as 4-H Leaders. Mrs. Parker, with some other mothers took on the job of starting a much needed 4-H club in the Tucumcari area. They quickly grew to be one of the largest, most active clubs in the county. This core group of leaders focused on teaching youth speaking and leadership skills. They were also good at training parents to serve as leaders in the club. Mrs. Parker adopted youth as their 4-H mom, bringing them to meetings, helping them with their projects and making sure they had what they needed. She worked with public speaking and parliamentary procedure. The Parkers served as 4-H leaders for approximately 20 years. Mr. Parker shared his talents as a craftsman, assisting many 4-Hers with woodworking projects. In his role as director of Farm Credit Services, he made sure that we never ran out of free cups and napkins for every 4-H concession stand and event. He also helped the youth as a sale buyer and served as a member of the fair board. Mr. Parker in his position at the Elks Club continues to support 4-H by insuring a large donation toward the Quay County 4-H Rodeo and the State 4-H Horse Show each year. Many of the 4-Hers that Mr. and Mrs. Parker worked with have children who are just becoming new 4-Hers. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Parker.

Bob Pate

Bob Pate of Bernalillo County

Inducted in 2010

Bob Pate served as a 4-H and Agriculture Agent in Bernalillo County for approximately thirty years. During this time he has made a number of significant contributions to the 4-H Program in both a state and local level. Mr. Pate worked diligently with the 4-H youth and adult volunteers in the areas of the Shooting Sports and the annual Rodeo hosted by Bernalillo County 4-H. Some of his duties included coordinating efforts with the New Mexico State Fair Staff, Bernalillo County 4-H Fair Board and other parties to ensure that the entire Fair came off well. Mr. Pate spent countless hours training youth in the Shooting Sports project. He also assisted with a number of state and District Shoots for many years. As an avid outdoorsman Mr. Pate took great pride in passing on his love and knowledge of hunting and fishing through the 4-H Shooting Sports Project.

Barbara Pekron

Barbara Pekron of Luna County

Inducted in 2010

Luna County is fortunate that Barbara Pekron chose Deming to be her home. Educating and mentoring youth has been her lifelong commitment as an elementary teacher in the school district and as a 4-H leader. Inspired by her own 4-H upbringing in South Dakota, she wanted her own children and others to reap the benefits from the 4-H experience. Her decision has led to a 40 plus years commitment as a 4-H club leader. Mrs. Pekron can always be counted on to assist during any event or activity that comes up throughout the year. It is with the deepest gratitude that we recognize her continued achievement to instill the 4-H ideals in our youth and the allocation of so much of her time to this effort.

Bill and Margie Purcell

Margie and Bill Purcell of Quay County

Inducted in: 2011

Margie and Bill Purcell were co-leaders of the S-J club 50 years ago and were very active leaders in Quay County as they raised their sons in the 4-H program. During their tenure, the club was one of the most active in the county. Mr. Purcell was a livestock rancher and trained the 4-H'ers in Livestock judging and helped them complete their record books. Mrs. Purcell worked with the girls on their culinary arts skills and sewing. She coordinated the girls dress revues for the county. Mr. and Mrs. Purcell also made sure that the S-J club was represented with a float in the annual parade. When contacting their daughter about the application she said this "They were passionate about 4-H and the opportunities it provided for us and many other young people. They worked hundreds of hours, traveled thousands of miles over the years, often spending their own funds, always working tirelessly to enrich many lives. This is a wonderful way to honor them and their hard work. They loved 4-H and the hundreds of friends they made over the years." Their posthumous award is being accepted by their daughter Linda Russell.