4-H Canada Leadership Excellence Awards of Distinction recipients: Ava Copas (Nova Scotia) • Aidan Reynolds (New Brunswick) • Elena Sales (British Columbia) • Kate Axten (Saskatchewan) (Photo submitted by 4-H Canada)

By Alice McFarlane

Four young 4-H members receive national award

Oct 25, 2022 | 1:29 PM

MELFORT, SK – Four outstanding young leaders are the recipients of the 2022 4-H Canada Leadership Excellence Awards of Distinction (L.E.A.D.).

L.E.A.D. is considered 4-H Canada’s most prestigious honour, recognizing outstanding youth members who exemplify 4-H values in their everyday lives in the areas of personal development, community impact, and leadership excellence in relation to one of 4-H Canada’s four Leadership Development Pillars.

Ava Copas has been a member of the Avon 4-H Club in Nova Scotia since she was nine years old. She will be attending Acadia University this fall to attain her bachelor’s degree in history with a Minor in Environment and Sustainability Studies. She plans to become a defence lawyer specializing in agriculture and environmental law. Copas is the recipient in the Community Engagement and Communications pillar.

Aidan Reynolds of Riverview, New Brunswick is the recipient in the Science and Technology area. He has been a member of the Coverdale Albert County 4-H Club since he was 11 years old. He is attending Carleton University, where he plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

Elena Sales grew up on an organic blueberry farm near Qualicum Beach, BC. She spent eight years in 4-H involved in photography, poultry, and fibre arts projects. This fall, Sales will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science at McGill University. She is the recipient in the Environment and Healthy Living category.

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Kate Axten lives on her family farm near Minton Saskatchewan and has been part of the Radville 4-H Field Crops Club for the past 10 years. She is the recipient in the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Pillar. Axten plans to study International Food Business at the Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus in Truro, Nova Scotia. Her second year of study will take her to the Netherlands.

Each L.E.A.D. recipient receives a $20,000 scholarship toward their four-year post-secondary studies. In addition, recipients are matched with a high-impact mentor within their field of study.

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