In the national 4-H program, Ronda Dalton of Afton (Dickens County) has given more than 30 years of service to the organization—a role she isn’t finished with yet, but which has earned her the coveted Leader’s Legacy Award.
In those three decades, across two states (Wyoming and Texas) and multiple counties and districts, Dalton has influenced an uncounted number of young people and pushed them towards success. She believes in the power of responsibility, humility and an understanding of how to be a graceful competitor, win or lose.
She inspires each of the youths with whom she works to strive not only for significance in service to their communities, but also development of skills that will serve them well in the future—skills like financial planning (livestock are expensive!) and public speaking. She has shepherded her 4-H kids through local, state and national competitions and leadership development seminars. She has slaved over awards and scholarship applications. She has volunteered as a judge for record book competitions and innumerable food and fashion shows.
Dalton believes in each youngster being given the chance to live up to their full potential for success in the world beyond their childhood, and thus she labors to help them develop skill and character traits that will serve them well.
The Leader’s Legacy Award recognizes a 4-H leader who has been an integral part of the 4-H Youth Development Program for 20 years or more. The person who is nominated for this award may or may not be the person who is always in the spotlight, but is one who makes an impact and a difference on the 4-H members with whom he/she works.
The award—which will be presented June 5, 2024, at the Salute to Excellence Luncheon for honorees in College Station, Texas—is only a small amount of the recognition she deserves.
