4-H Scholarships

Memorial Scholarships

Paulette Cormack
Paulette Cormack was born and raised in rural Iowa and joined 4-H at an early age. As an active club member in the 1950’s-60’s she participated in many leadership programs. She even met her future husband at 4-H summer camp! Paulette pursued a career in teaching to fulfill her enjoyment of childhood development and education – always promoting 4-H as a strong youth program of basic skills and leadership. Paulette and her family were active in the Napa County 4-H program where she was a leader in the Mt. George and Wine Valley 4-H clubs and the annual 4-H summer camp. After her untimely death from cancer in 2009, Paulette’s family established this memorial scholarship in her honor – recognizing her life-long devotion to the 4-H program and to continue to share her love of helping others.  

Peter Gerlach
Peter Gerlach was in 4-H for 9 years. His last year was in 2000, the year he graduated from Napa High. Peter completed many 4-H projects and he had a BIG, thick record book to prove it. Some of Peter’s most enjoyable projects were woodworking, welding, his 30 acre hay project (he loved to drive the tractor!), and breeding and raising 4-H market lambs. Peter and his brother Joe always brought their own lambs that were born and raised on their family’s property. Peter was always proud that he brought something to the fair that he helped birth and raise. Peter was in the champion drive almost every year with one of his lambs! He also won champion Suffolk several years and won sheep showmanship his senior year. After Peter’s death in 2012 a scholarship fund was started to help other 4-H kids who wanted to go to college. The Bingham family raised a lamb that was auctioned off and brought in $20,000 to start this scholarship.

Grace Methven
Grace Methven served as a 4-H adult volunteer leader for 65 years. She was also a youth member, joining 4-H at age 10. She was a 4-H All Star in 1944. She was a teacher at Shearer Elementary School and after retirement volunteered as their librarian. She was very involved in the 4-H Camp program, having attended Las Posadas 4-H Camp as a 4-H youth and was the camp registrar as an adult for years and years.  She also was involved in the Napa Town and Country Fair managing the 4-H exhibits building. 

John Wagenknecht
John Wagenknecht served as a 4-H Youth Development Advisor. He worked for the UC for 38 years. He was known as Sir John at 4-H Camp and developed parent and child programs like kite day, quail raising, and tree growing as family projects for 4-H.  He was very active in the community serving 10 years on the NVUSD school board and was involved in many other community organizations. 

Polly Wagenknecht
Polly Wagenknecht served as the Napa County 4-H Program Coordinator. She set a positive example for our 4-H youth with her commitment to fostering strong families in 4-H and guiding our 4-H youth. She always gave credit to others before herself. Her Friday night campfire speech at 4-H camp closing ceremonies was legendary.

Ed Weber
Ed Weber was a viticulturist and joined the UC in 1988 as the viticulture farm advisor, and then later became county director in 2001. He was a wonderful educator and problem solver. 

Other Scholarships

Napa County 4-H Management Board
The Napa County 4-H Management Board is organized for the purpose of cooperating with the University of California Cooperative Extension in organizing, promoting and carrying out 4-H youth development work in Napa County.