Delaware 4-H Hall of Fame inducted 20 individuals as laureates on Sept. 21, 2024 at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover. The celebration is a high honor, assuring that a lifetime of support and volunteerism is remembered and preserved for posterity. The success of the 4-H program, the leading youth program in the nation, is dependent on a vibrant volunteer force and Cooperative Extension staff that on average impacts 31,000 youth annually in the first state alone.

In 2002, National 4-H held its first Hall of Fame. Delaware followed in 2012, selecting that first year a pioneer class of 27 laureates. Held biennially, nominations are considered from service from across 4-H’s 110-year history.

At present eleven members of the Delaware 4-H Hall of Fame are also recognized national laureates.

“The Delaware 4-H Hall of Fame is a great event that allows our program to recognize the tireless efforts and volunteer service from many outstanding individuals who have provided to the program,” said Doug Crouse, 4-H program leader with University of Delaware Cooperative Extension

“Our 4-H program would not be successful without our many volunteers,” Crouse noted. “The individuals recognized tonight certainly go above the call of duty while making such huge impacts on the many youth they touch and work within 4-H. They provide important experiences and help to instill important skills in these young people, inspiring them to be productive citizens in their communities.”

The event is sponsored by the Delaware 4-H Foundation. Laureates often celebrate with their families, who hear a summary of their dedicated service before being invited to the stage to offer remarks. Collectively, their service ranges from the local club and county levels as well as volunteers for statewide events. This volunteerism encompasses all aspects of involvement including the management of local clubs, serving as project leaders, judges, chaperones, fundraisers, organizers of county, state, regional and national events, marketers, recruiters, and perhaps most importantly as mentors and as role models for community service and personal leadership.

The 2024 Delaware Hall of Fame Laureates are:

• Carol Argo​, originally from Milford/Houston, now residing in Cambodia     
• Cindy Dempsey, Dover                                     
• Carole Fleming, Fredrica                                              
• Lloydlee Heite, ​​​​Bridgeville​​
• Barbara Klair​​​​​, Hockessin, awarded posthumously 
• Kimberly Klair​​​​, Hockessin​​
• Richard Klair, Hockessin, awarded posthumously 
• Wayne Moore​​​​, Camden​​
• Elizabeth (Betsy) Morris, ​​​Newark​​
• Charlotte Passwaters​​​, Bridgeville
• Coulter Passwaters​​​, Bridgeville
• Joan Rumsey, ​​​​Magnolia​​
• Dave Simpson, ​​​​Middletown​​
• Linda Somers​​​, ​Newark​
• Mona Steele​​​​​, Milford
• Sandy Urian​​​​​, Clayton
• Debbie Vanderwende, ​​​Bridgeville​​
• Barbara Ann Webb Staats​​​, Camden
• Marlyn Webb​​​​​, Greenwood​​
• Sen. Dave Wilson, Lincoln, as Distinguished Service to 4-H Award

“The Delaware 4-H Foundation looks forward to holding this event to recognize important volunteers of the Delaware 4-H program,” said Jennifer Crouse Hood, president of the foundation and 4-H alumna. “The volunteers being recognized have given so much of themselves and their time which have allowed the program to be offered to the youth in Delaware. The impacts they have made are many, and we are forever grateful for their service to the Delaware 4-H program.”

Photos and videos of the laureates and videos are available on the 4-H Flickr album.