Nancy Ascue

    NAE4-HA / NAE4-HYDP
    2007

    4-H Agent and NAE4-HA President

    Cedar Bluff, VA

    Nancy was a Smyth Co., VA 4-H member who won many honors, including showing the grand champion market steer for three years at the Bristol Jr. Steer Show and Sale. After graduating from VPI (VA Tech) in 1961, she was hired in Tazwell Co. Two years later she went to Russell Co., working there as 4-H agent and County Extension Director until retiring in 1991. She and her coworkers managed a 4-H program with over 1500 children engaged in School Enrichment. Nancy believed in community clubs and is the primary reason Russell Co. had the strongest club program in SW Virginia when most 4-H programming was still school-based. She was a strong advocate of volunteer club leaders and realized early that a positive, long-term relationship with a caring adult was important to a young person’s development.

    Nancy saw great value in residential camping. During her tenure, camp enrollment doubled to 245 campers and staff, the largest camp ever at the Southwestern 4-H Center. Nancy got involved in NAE4-HA in 1967. The Virginia Association of Extension 4-H Agents was formed in 1970 and elected Nancy as their first President. She was very instrumental in Virginia winning the bid to host the 1973 conference in Roanoke, VA. Nancy was elected NAE4-HAVice President in 1973. In that role she was responsible for nurturing membership and set what was considered an impossible goal of 1500 members. As a result, NAE4HA membership set a new record of 1520 members, exceeding 1000 for the first time. Nancy was elected NAE4-HA President in 1975, the first from the Southern Region.

    Quote

    Quotes from those who remember Nancy:

    “Being in your presence is always an inspiration to me.”
    “You are a true leader among leaders.”
    “She had special talents in motivating youth and adults.”
    “Nancy was a strong believer in community 4-H clubs and also in residential 4-H camping.”
    “She recruited and trained 4-H leaders to provide long-tern leadership to 4-H members.”
    “She worked tirelessly to advance the 4-H profession.”
    “Nancy was proud when titles were changed to ‘ 4-H Agents’.”
    “She as an attractive, innovating, well organized dynamic and positive 4-H professional who helped others to also achieve and to aspire for greater accomplishments. Nancy strengthened 4-H everywhere.”

    My 4-H Story