ITHACA, N.Y. -- The New York State 4-H Foundation, administered by Cornell Cooperative Extension, has awarded $18,000 in college scholarships to 15 outstanding members of the 4-H Youth Development program from across the state.

The New York 4-H Opportunity Scholarship Program was announced last summer at the 2002 State Fair in Syracuse to celebrate the National Centennial of 4-H Youth Development. The foundation and its donors wanted to provide dedicated, hardworking youth with scholarships to pursue a collegiate education.

Abigail Losh, of Tompkins County, was given the 4-H Centennial Scholarship, which is a $5,000 award. She will attend SUNY Fredonia in the fall. Through a 4-H communications internship and an Eagle Broadcasting internship, Losh learned to write and present news stories. She also served as a state representative to the National Conversations on Youth Development and has been designated a youth representative to the State Youth Development Program Council for Cooperative Extension. Her activities outside of 4-H include working with the United Way Youth and Philanthropy project.

Earl Kenyon, of Washington County, won the 4-H Spirit of the Clover Scholarship, which is a $2,500 award. He is a sophomore at SUNY Plattsburgh, majoring in elementary education. He is an active volunteer in the 4-H program and in his community.

Jennifer Johnson, of Sullivan County, and Suzanne Pohorence, of Ontario County, each won honorable mention for the 4-H Centennial Scholarship, which is a $1,000 award. Johnson majors in animal science at Cornell University and aims to become a veterinarian. Her most active involvement as a 4-H member was in the horse program, and raising poultry and sheep. Pohorence made and donated more than 250 quilts both to elderly and to terminally ill children. She shares her talents with others by teaching her quilt-making and sewing skills. Last year Pohorence won the 2002 Friend of Extension award. She has completed her first year at Nazareth College in Rochester, majoring in mathematics.Jessie Churchill, of Ulster County, won the Harold Willman Animal Sciences Scholarship, which is a $1,000 award. She will attend Cornell this fall, majoring in animal science. She wants to be a veterinarian. Her 4-H activities primarily have involved horse, dog, rabbit and goat projects. She also has developed sewing skills over the years and has participated in the county and state clothing reviews. She has served as a teen ambassador, teen focus assistant and a youth development national conversation group leader.

Other scholarship winners and their awards include: Emily Conklin, of Delaware County, Gertrude Warren Club Leadership Scholarship; Kimberly Cornell, of Niagara County, 4-H Communications Scholarship; Joshua Hunn, of Livingston County, Don Stiles 4-H Achievement Scholarship; Jason Kelsey, of Madison County, 4-H Technology Scholarship; Ian Kiraly, of Delaware County, 4-H Natural Resources and Environmental Education Scholarship; Tyler Manchester, of Chemung County, 4-H Leadership Scholarship; Jessica Oakes, of Niagara County, 4-H Leadership Scholarship; Amber Parker, of Herkimer County, 4-H Communications Scholarship; Jamie Romeo, of Monroe County, 4-H Power of Youth Scholarship; and Tracey Staniak, of Saratoga County, 4-H Community Arts Scholarship