Lisa Hedrick named “Friend of 4-H”

The Pickaway County 4-H honored Lisa Hedrick with the 2024 Friend of 4-H Award at their annual awards banquet this past Monday.

During the award ceremony, Joy E. Sharp, the OSU Extension Educator for Pickaway County 4-H Youth Development, described Lisa as an integral member of our community and a loyal advisor who continuously demonstrates the true heart of a 4-H volunteer.

When introducing Lisa as the winner, Sharp said, “Our ‘Friend of 4-H’ consistently demonstrates a passion for her community with her involvement, not just in 4-H, but the Circleville Junior Women’s Club, Pumpkin Show Committee, Student Union Advisor, Women’s Health Coalition, Bible School, LaLeche League, Child Conservation League, Friday in the Park, National Council for Youth Leadership committee, and of course, a 4-H advisor.”

Lisa was a 4-H member of the Buttons & Bowls Club in Pickaway County. She jumped at the chance to become an advisor in 1988, which is not surprising as she brings enthusiasm and good humor to everything she touches.

At 4-H, Lisa’s project work focused on food and sewing activities. She headed the food projects and guided the members through their projects, teaching them how to create a menu, calculate the cost per serving, and do many more activities.

She is a strong believer that 4-H creates opportunities for the youth. Just ask her eldest grandchildren, Olivia and Aiden, and they would say that grandma is always letting them know that 4-H taught them this skill and that skill.

Her daughter, Miranda said, “Talking from experience, Mom pushes people out of their comfort zone so that they can learn life skills. I was never excited to do a demonstration; however, she taught me how to speak to an audience, to work through the nerves and tell the story. Through the years since 4-H, I have spoken in front of hundreds of people. I was only able to do this successfully because of my mom and 4-H.”

Lisa has a wealth of knowledge of proper parliamentary procedure, always encouraging members to speak up and jump into leadership roles.

Her husband, John offered the following, “If you look in the dictionary for definitions of volunteerism, community involvement, and selflessness, you will find a picture of Lisa McCoy Hedrick. When our community has looked for a person to not only get involved, but to assume a leadership role in the cause, Lisa fits the old adage, ‘find a busy person’ and she will get the job done.”

Lisa is also a lifelong member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and an avid OSU Buckeye fan.