Thomas and Earlece Greenawalt have been involved in 4-H for more than 50 years. Earlece Greenawalt started her 4-H career at the age of ten and continued her involvement through high school and college. In cooperation with the boys program, FHEA, FFA and representatives of the local chamber of commerce she helped establish the East Hillsborough County Jr. Agricultural Fair that is now an integral part of the popular Strawberry Festival in Plant City. After college Mrs. Greenawalt taught home economics at Chiefland High School and became a professional home demonstration agent in Levy County. Her enthusiasm and dedication led her husband to a career in 4-H as well. Tom Greenawalt grew up near Plant City where his mother was an active extension homemaker and 4-H volunteer leader. This association along with his wife’s dedication as a home demonstration agent led him to seek professional involvement with the 4-H program. As a member of the state 4-H staff he secured grants for and created the 4-H Marine Education program. He also initiated the 4-H marine camps held at the Florida Keys, Marineland and 4-H Camp Timpoochee. Dr. Greenawalt also developed a successful volunteer leader program that became the nationally used model. “The passion for fascinating, unique and creative learning-sharing opportunities sealed my destiny relevant to a professional 4-H career. Because of my zeal for youth development accompanied by the enriching leadership, relations and educational outreach of 4-H the quality of my life and that of my family has also been tremendously influenced and enhanced,” he said. Besides being a strong supporter of her husband’s professional efforts Mrs. Greenawalt also served as a record book and demonstration judge at the state level. As a volunteer she touched and changed the lives of many young people. At the Loften Center she worked with high school dropouts and pregnant teenagers to help them secure a better future financially and educationally for themselves. “From the beginning 4-H taught me leadership, organizational skills, public speaking, and gave me a wealth of self-assurance and confidence this timid, shy girl would never have garnered on her own,” Mrs. Greenawalt said.