Donna Riddle, a Calhoun County 4-H volunteer, was inducted into the Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame May 14 in Montgomery. She was one of 24 inductees honored during special ceremonies at the Alabama Farmers Federation. Mrs. Riddle was nominated by Calhoun County 4-H Agent Tiffany Moore. Pictured above, Ms. Riddle (center) receives the 4-H Wall of Fame award from ACES Director Gaines Smith (left) and Lamar Nichols, state 4-H director (right).

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.”

In 2001, Mrs. Riddle was asked to be a 4-H volunteer at Coldwater Elementary School in Calhoun County. The program had been discontinued for a few years, but she agreed to give it a try for one year.

Eight years later, she still leads the program as the 4-H coordinator at the school. Every year since 2001, Mrs. Riddle’s 4-H Club has been in the top five clubs in Calhoun County, earning a total of 10 trophies for her club’s participation.

In 2008, Mrs. Riddle earned the 4-H Teacher of the Year Award in recognition of her continuing support of the Calhoun County 4-H program. She believes in 4-H for the personal growth of each member. “By using 4-H projects as important means for achievement and growth, members build skills they can use the rest of their lives,” says Riddle.

She believes that life skills are built into 4-H projects, activities and events that help participants become contributing, productive, self-directed members of a forward-moving society.

Mrs. Riddle (right) with County 4H Agent Tiffany Moore