Florida 4-H News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                     

Marjorie Modesky Elected To Florida 4-H Hall of Fame

By: Laura Lok                                                                                       
Public Relations Coordinator                                                                   
Phone: (352) 846-0996, ext. 237                                                              

Contact: Lane Jimision
Florida 4-H Foundation, Inc.
Phone: (352) 846-0996, ext. 238

GAINESVILLE — Marjorie Modesky of Duval County has been elected to the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame. Modesky was one of five individuals to be inducted in 2006 at ceremonies held on July 27 at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Modesky has been involved in 4-H since 1939, volunteering her time, talent and skills. She became a volunteer in 1968 when she organized a 4-H club in her community and led it for 15 years. While involved in her club, she became a volunteer on the 4-H Advisory Committee and Extension Advisory Committee.  She was also a Foundation Director where she had numerous leadership positions including President for two years.

Modesky was instrumental in establishing Duval County’s 4-H “My Government Day” which has been in existence for 16 years.  My Government Day is a local 4-H program, which focuses on the role of local government in the community.  Each year, different topics are selected and have included mock elections and mock city council meetings.

“The difference she has made in is still making in the lives of children will last a lifetime,” says Modesky’s nominator, Judie Toulouse.  “Marge has positively improved the lives of others in this community with her timeless hours of service to both adults and youth.” 

She has been recognized for her volunteerism many times including: Florida 4-H Volunteer of the Year (1982), Duval County 4-H Adult Volunteer Leader Award (1986), and was the first woman to receive the Outstanding Service to Agriculture Award (1997).

Modesky is a successful homemaker, parent, grandparent and 4-H volunteer. “Volunteerism has been her major career serving as an advocate for the 4-H program, said Toulouse. “She has set a high standard for her own personal excellence, and is continually working to be the best she can be!”

The Florida 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2002 to coincide with the 100^th Anniversary Celebration of the 4-H Program.  It currently contains the names of 117 inductees honored for their service and dedication to the Florida 4-H.  One hundred individuals, living and deceased, became charter members during the 2002 founding. Florida 4-H is the youth development component of the University of Florida’s IFAS Cooperative Extension Service currently serving 241,000 youth statewide and over 60 million alumni nationwide. 

The four other 2006 inductees are; H. Fred Dietrich, III of Orange County, Earl Ray Gill of Hardee County, Gladys Freeman of Okeechobee County and Frank Sullivan of Brevard County.

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