Alice Needham Heard Named to Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame

Alice Needham Heard, a Calhoun County 4-H Volunteer, was inducted into the Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame Feb. 28 in Auburn.  She was one of 24 inductees honored during ceremonies at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University.  Heard was nominated by Ruth Sarro, Regional Extension Agent in Calhoun and Cleburne Counties. Mrs. Sarro said, “I learned valuable lessons from Mrs. Heard, lessons from her experiences and her love of students.”

The Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame recognizes individuals and organizations that have had a significant effect on the 4-H Youth Development program, its members and leaders.  The Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc., and Alabama 4-H honors, remembers and pays tribute to those who influenced the lives of Alabama youth by their commitment “To Make the Best Better.” 

Heard has been involved in 4-H most of her life, as a 4-H’er, teacher leader and a volunteer following her retirement. As a 4-H’er, Heard was a delegate to the National 4-H Leadership Conference and a member of the collegiate 4-H program. 

From 1980 until 1996 as a teacher leader, Heard started 4-H after-school clubs at Oxford Middle and High schools, where she enrolled more than 300 students, leading 64 students to district competitions and 25 to state competitions. She also organized a unique 4-H club, the “Luckies” clown troupe, which performed for nursing home residents, participated in parades and conducted a seminar for the Alabama 4-H Volunteer Leader Association. Through this group, 4-H’ers learned leadership, public speaking, organizational skills and community involvement while having fun.

Heard was chosen Calhoun County Outstanding 4-H Volunteer in 1983, 1984 and 1985.  She was named Alabama’s Outstanding Volunteer Leader in 1985 and has been a member of the Alabama Parent Volunteer Association since 1984, most recently serving as a regional representative.