Somerset County 4-H Scholarship Recipients (2023)
Somerset County 4-H Scholarship Recipients (2023)
Somerset County 4-H would like to extend a warm congratulations to our 2023 4-H Scholarship Recipients, who have distinguished themselves as incredible leaders in our community. We are proud to acknowledge the achievements of Scout Lowrie, Arun Pabuwal, Jacquilin Kirby, Kelson Lowrie, Michael Powell, Molly Yesalavich, Lacey Lamberson, Malik Reid, and Megan Norz.
Scholarship Recipients
Scout Lowrie
4-H Association Scholarship & 4-H Maureen McHale Scholarship
Scout Lowrie has been a 4-H member for 12 years being involved in the Alpaca Club, Something Fishy Aquatic and Environmental Science Club, and Twirling. Scout has mentored new members, sharing with them skills to improve showmanship with their animal. She has been a 4-H Fair herdsman several times, overseeing the care of the animals and fairgrounds at night. Scout has attended 4-H State and National Conferences including SHARK, NJTC, Washington Conference, Citizenship Washington Focus, Stem Summit and Agriculture Summit where she made a project for NJ Pollinators. In addition to 4-H, Scout is involved in numerous school and community activities including synchronized swimming, soccer, Latin Club, and Key Club.
Scout is currently a Senior at Franklin High School and will be graduating in June. Scout will be attending Wheaton College in MA in the Fall.
Arun Pabuwal
4-H Association Scholarship
Arun Pabuwal joined 4-H 11 years ago as a Prep member in the Cloverbud Kids Club. He is currently a member of the www.Ink Creative Writing Club, Something Fishy Aquatic and Environmental Science Club, and People Pick Me Ups Pet Therapy Club, and was previously involved with the Trainmasters, and the Magician’s Guild. Arun strives to help others and build community, as is abundantly clear in his many service projects. Whether visiting senior living communities and the VA Hospital with his therapy animals or sharing his creative story telling with younger club members, Arun engages and connects with others. Arun also stays overnight at the Somerset County 4-H Fair as a herdsmen, and has attended 4-H State and National Conferences including National 4-H Conference, the National 4-H STEM Youth Summit, Leadership 4Life, and has been a presenter for Science-Sational Day. Throughout Arun’s all-encompassing 4-H career, two themes emerge: the desire to help others, and a passion for political science.
Arun will be graduating from Franklin High School and plans to attend Rutgers University, where he will pursue a degree in Political Science this fall.
Jacquilin Kirby
4-H Trainmasters Scholarship
Jacquilin Kirby has been a 4-H member for 12 years. She belongs to New Centre Dairy, Branchburg Beef, Dairy, and Livestock, Senior Council, Exchange. She is also involved in a Hunterdon County 4-H club, SAVE – which is a club that focuses on veterinarian care. Jacquilin also stays overnight at the Somerset County 4-H Fair as a herdsmen, and has attended 4-H State and National Conferences including Leadership Washington Focus, Winter Camp, and National Dairy Conference. She is the NJ State Dairy Princess. Jacquilin has a rigorous passion for working with animals, and through this passion, she is known for sharing her love and knowledge of animals with other members of 4-H clubs. She is a wonderful mentor, patiently working with the younger club members with anything they need. She makes everyone feel welcome and part of the 4-H family. She is known for her infectious smile and her empathy.
Jacquilin hopes to become a Vet Tech in the future and plans to attend RVCC in the fall.
Kelson Lowrie
4-H Association Scholarship
Kelson Lowie has been a member of 4-H since 2011. After Prep, he became a member of the Sidewinders, On Target Archery, and Something Fishy Aquatic and Environmental Science Club. Kelson has been a Youth Member of the 4-H Association since 2019, where he has done a tremendous amount of teen outreach work with the other Youth Members. Kelson also stays overnight at the Somerset County 4-H Fair as a herdsmen, and has attended 4-H State and National Conferences including National 4-H Conference, National 4-H Congress, Leadership Washington Focus, Citizenship Washington Focus, has been a presenter for Science-Sational Day.
Kelson will be graduating from Franklin High school this June and attending William and Mary College in the fall.
Michael Powell
4-H Association Scholarship
Michael Powell has been a member of 4-H since 2010 and has made the most of every moment. Mentoring and history run throughout everything with which he works. He belongs to Branchburg Beef, Dairy, & Livestock 4-H club, Exchange, and was a teen leader with the 4-H Scale Modelers. His family farm participates in the “lend an animal” program, and Michael has mentored younger members on his farm through this lease program. This experience has helped him gain as much confidence as the younger members he worked with. His love of history has recently combined with his love of 4-H through the book he is writing, 3 Days in August. He has taken the time to do interviews and learn the history of the Fair.
Michael is from Branchburg and will be graduating from Somerville High school this June. He will be attending Delaware Valley University in the Fall.
Molly Yesalavich
4-H Alpaca Scholarship
Molly has been a member of 4-H for 7 years and has been involved in both the Alpaca Club and the Garden and Bee club. Molly was a founding member of the Garden and Bee club. She mentors younger members, and grows vegetables in the 4-H garden to donate to local food pantries. When the Alpaca club helped rebuild the barn, Molly was there, working hard every step of the way. She is a volunteer at the Christmas Dinner sponsored by the 4-H Association. Molly stays overnight at the Somerset County 4-H Fair as a herdsmen and has attended 4-H State conferences including Winter Camp and North Jersey Teen Conference. Beyond 4-H, Molly volunteers with her church.
She is graduating from Middlesex High School and will be attending Rutgers University in the Fall.
Lacey Lamberson
4-H Association Scholarship, 4-H Rob Fellows Scholarship, and 4-H Prep Scholarship
Lacey Lamberson has been an active member of 4-H for 13 years. She started out in Cloverbud Kids, and was also in Minecraft and On Target Archery. She has been a member of Wattles and Snood for all 13 years.
Lacey has been a 4-H Fair herdsman helped with many events such as Open House, Rummage Sale, and Ag-Venture Day. She has given back to the Prep/Cloverbud program over the years by volunteering at events, mentoring younger members of her club, and presenting at Prep/Cloverbud clubs with informative, engaging activities. Lacey would often stop by the Prep Tent to see if they needed anything and would staff the craft table when needed. Lacey also promotes 4-H to the community, bringing her chickens to schools and sharing her love of 4-H at the aftercare program where she works.
Lacey plans to pursue a career in agriculture - eventually wanting to own a farm that does animal therapy - and will be attending Raritan Valley Community College in the fall.
Malik Reid
4-H Mechanical Science Scholarship
Malik Reid had only just found out about 4-H this year and has jumped in with both feet! Malik is involved with the 4-H Go Kart club. Malik purchased a Kart that needed a great deal of work, and is 80% done in completing it for this season. This shows his dedication and hard work that has been recognized and admired by all his 4-H peers. He is an active student at Franklin High School, involved on the wrestling team, JROTC and Marching Band. He also works part time at an Auto repair shop and volunteers for numerous community services. While only in 4-H for a short time, he has made a big positive impact in the organization and in his club.
Malik will be graduating from Franklin High School and plans to attend Rutgers University studying Mechanical Engineering.
Megan Norz
4-H Association Scholarship
Megan Norz has been a 4-H member for 13 years. Megan started with the New Centre Dairy Club and continued with livestock throughout her 4-H career joining both the Cattlemen's Club and Branchburg Beef, Dairy, & Livestock. Megan also explored other interests such as cooking with Masterchefs and traveling through Exchange. She participated in Leadership 4 Life and had the opportunity to go to Ireland. Exploring her varying interests throughout 4-H gave her the idea to go into the business field.
Megan graduated from Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School last year. Since then, Megan has been pursuing her education at Penn Foster College.