Conrad honored at state volunteer leader conference

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Deana Conrad believes in expanding on the things you enjoy doing. This is likely one reason why members of the Grady County Lego Robotics Team have expanded their interests beyond robotics.

Conrad’s positive influence on the team members has played a pivotal role in team members branching out and participating in other 4-H activities.

For four years, Conrad has volunteered her time to the Grady County 4-H program and was instrumental in creating the 4-H Lego Robotics program. Her dedication to 4-H youth was recognized recently when she was presented with the State Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award. She received this award during the 2017 4-H Parent/Volunteer Conference on the Oklahoma State University campus.

She also was recognized as the Southwest District Volunteer of the Year, as well as the Grady County Volunteer of the Year. This state award is presented to a volunteer who has less than 10 years of service to the Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development Program.

Liz Taylor, OSU Cooperative Extension 4-H educator in Grady County, said Conrad not only introduced youth to robotics, but has helped pave the way for these youth to participate in more traditional 4-H activities as well.

“Many of the youth on the Lego Robotics team would be happy just doing robotics, but Deana encourages them to do public speaking about their robotics, make posters and try other new things,” Taylor said. “She’s constantly recruiting new 4-H members and showing them they can do just about anything they’d like in 4-H.”

Conrad is known for finding out what a child is interested in and then finding a way to turn that interest into a 4-H project. She also has a knack for fostering youth/adult partnerships.

Grady County 4-H’er Brianna Warren started her 4-H career under Conrad’s direction.

“She really cares about my personal interests, which are veterinary science and performing arts. She’s give me a lot of wonderful opportunities such as playing piano at a nursing home and learning more about animals through dissecting different specimens,” Warren said. “The really neat thing is she does this for everyone, not just me. She also encourages us to do things outside of our comfort zone. She’s a great leader and mentor.”

Sue Armstrong, another Grady County volunteer leader, agrees Conrad is a great asset to the 4-H program.

“No one has invested more in Grady County 4-H than Deana. She plans in advance and works hard at everything she does,” Armstrong said.