Anyone who has tried to receive a letter of recommendation can attest to how difficult it can be sometimes. In attaining the national Achievement in Service Award from 4-H, Emily Kidd received nine, without even asking.
As the recipient of the award, Kidd was only one of three from New York in 2012 to be honored.
The award is described by 4-H as "recognizing members who have been creative and innovative in programming efforts. Such members have completed at least three years of service but less than 10 years."
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Emily Kidd is pictured with her national Achievement in Service Award from 4-H.
In receiving the award, Kidd also received unwavering support from her fellow coworkers, in the form of the aforementioned letters of recommendation to 4-H.
The nine supporters of Kidd who generously wrote letters of recommendation to 4-H are as follows: Mary Anne Scharmberg, Livingston County 4-H community educator; Marvin Johnson, 40-year 4-H volunteer; Alyssa Crandall, 4-H member; Dianne Baker, executive director for CCE of Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties; Holly Harwood, Wyoming County 4-H community educator of youth development; Jean T. Griffiths, extension horse specialist; Cassandra K. Skal, 4-H alumni; Angela Northern, Erie County regional 4-H research specialist; and Ken Styers, Chautauqua County 4-H program committee member.
In supporting Kidd as a candidate for the award, her peers had some very kind things to say.
"Emily has been a go-getter since she began in 2007," said Scharmberg. "She has revamped their volunteer management handbook which has streamlined the program, increased communication with the volunteers and spent time identifying the needs of club leaders and advisory committees. ... At the district and state levels, Emily has served as a member of the professional development committee, has initiated several in-service horse events, and has chaired and hosted district events such as horse judging and career exploration trips."
"Emily is truly an example of excellence when it comes to 4-H leadership and has achieved respect from her peers in the Western District and throughout the state," said Harwood. "Her dedication to the 4-H program and professionalism should make her an ideal candidate to receive the Achievement in Service Award."
"Emily is a remarkable individual and is well loved by the 4-Hers," said Skal. "She is a wonderful role model for the youth, including me. She is very approachable and easy to talk to, which is a wonderful quality to exhibit when working with youth. Emily dedicates so much extra time to the 4-H program outside of her scheduled work hours; she is never out of the office when she is supposed to be and is always at the fairgrounds long after she's supposed to go home. ... We, the youth, know that she is always there to help and support us in our endeavors. Emily really gets to know all of the youth in the county and has a relationship with each and every one, which really encourages us to participate and enjoy every minute of 4-H."
In addition to her Achievement in Service Award, Kidd was also awarded a Communicator Award from 4-H for her "Have a Heart for 4-H Dinner" poster.