Neilson and Slagle win 4-H Foundation scholarships

RBC I The Rio Blanco 4-H Foundation is pleased to announced that Taylor Neilson of Meeker and Tessa Slagle of Rangely are the foundation’s 2014 scholarship recipients.
The scholarships are awarded annually on the basis of leadership and involvement in the 4-H program, academic achievement, community involvement and educational goals.
Neilson will attend the University of Nebraska-Kearney. She will pursue a degree in athletic training with emphasis on getting her prerequisites for medical school. Her course of study is designed to achieve her goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
Slagle will attend Colorado Mesa University for her undergraduate work with plans to pursue a law degree. She would like to specialize in Colorado water law.
Neilson has completed 11 years in 4-H. Her 4-H projects have included market sheep, breeding sheep, market swine, market beef and livestock judging.
She has been Meeker 4-H Council president for four years, Sheep Club president for four years, Beef Club president for two years, she took an environmental studies trip to Costa Rica, is a member of the National Honor Society, is Meeker High School Student Council president, been active in the FCCLA for four years and the FBLA for three years.
Additionally, she played volleyball for Meeker High School for four years and basketball for four years. In basketball, she has been recognized at the district and state level and was part of the team that placed third at the 2014 State Class 2A Basketball Tournament. She will also be playing college basketball at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
Slagle has completed 14 years in 4-H. Her 4-H projects have included market swine, market goat, scrapbooking, wildlife biology, dog obedience, photography and cake decoration.
She served as Rangely 4-H Council president for four years, received the 2012 Danforth Award, was Rio Blanco County Foundation Outstanding 4-H Member for three years, took part in the 4-H Citizen Focus Trip to Washington, D.C., was a member of the Rangely High School Student Council, a member of the National Honor Society and attended the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference (HOBY) in 2012 and was a HOBY junior staff member in 2013.
She participated in basketball, volleyball, cross-country and track and field.
She was also the Colorado Youth Ambassador representing Rio Blanco County.