Three New Michigan 4-H Scholarships Honor Beloved Leaders

Three families have found a beautiful way to keep their loved ones' legacies alive by creating scholarships that will help Michigan youth reach their dreams.

The Michigan 4-H Foundation just announced three new memorial scholarships that honor leaders who devoted their lives to mentoring young people. These funds will support Michigan students pursuing college and trade school education in agriculture and related fields.

The John Aylsworth 4-H Scholarship celebrates a man who gave his entire career to 4-H. Aylsworth grew up on an Ohio dairy farm and got his start thanks to a scholarship from his high school agriculture teacher. He spent 22 years as a county agent in Ohio and Michigan, then continued in state-level programming, and even coordinated international exchange programs after retirement.

The Melinda Klockziem Memorial Scholarship Fund honors an accomplished agriculture educator and FFA member who inspired countless students. Originally established by her husband Ken in 2016, the fund moved to the Michigan 4-H Foundation in 2024 to ensure it continues helping students forever. The $300 annual scholarship supports high school seniors with a 2.5 GPA or higher who are pursuing agriculture-related degrees.

Marie Wagester's scholarship tells perhaps the most touching story of all. She volunteered as a 4-H leader for nearly 40 years in Isabella County, starting before her own children were old enough to join. Every year she closed her business and used her vacation time to support "the kids at the fair." Her $1,000 scholarship requires three years of 4-H participation and looks for students with broad project experience and strong leadership skills.

The Ripple Effect

These scholarships do more than provide money for tuition. They create a beautiful cycle where one generation's service helps launch the next. John Aylsworth's life was changed by a scholarship from his teacher, and now his memory will create that same opportunity for Michigan youth. Marie Wagester spent 40 years giving her time, and now her impact will continue through students who might not otherwise afford college.

The families have made these funds open to additional donations, meaning friends and community members can extend each scholarship's reach even further.

Applications are opening for the 2026-27 school year, giving Michigan 4-H and FFA members new pathways to education in agriculture, teaching, and youth development. The best way to honor someone who believed in young people is to keep believing in them.