Sally Schoenike

    Wisconsin
    2025
    Active

    4-H and Youth Development Agent

    Ashippun, WI

    Building on her 10-year 4-H member experience, Sally has prided herself in setting a positive image for 4-H throughout her career and truly “bleeds green.” She has invested tireless effort into building and supporting a robust community club program, actively engaged professionally and personally in the Youth Development Program and willingly assumed numerous roles for betterment of the WI 4-H Program.

    Sally’s character is evident through her active community involvement and a “go-to-person” for countless organizations. She is an innovative teacher who is well known for developing effective outreach partnerships with youth-serving organizations. Her ever-expanding scope of involvement is built on the concept of “we can do that!” Throughout her 4-H Youth Development Career, Sally demonstrated her commitment to youth development, leadership, and volunteers by developing a successful mid-management volunteer system. With volunteer capacity-building at the forefront, Sally taught innovative and engaging programs for leaders, 4-H club officers, and community volunteers.

    Her strong belief in youth as leaders and the importance of youth and adult partnerships has guided her as she worked with volunteers to deliver an integrated youth development program to make a positive impact on families and communities.

    Quote

    “There are countless highlights through my 4-H experiences, but the brightest of all has been working with volunteers to build a strong community.”

    My 4-H Story

    Sally’s involvement in 4-H started when she was 4-H member and then a leader, which led to a 32-year 4-H career. As she reflects on her 4-H experience, it was the dedication of 4-H project leaders, general leaders, and working as a team with club members and adults that helped lay the foundation for her commitment to 4-H. She learned early in her 4-H involvement that hard work pays off and a blue-ribbon experience is more valuable than the blue ribbon itself, a concept she focused on as a 4-H and Youth Development Agent. Sally focused on how 4-H is not just about competition and winning, but doing your personal best and learning by doing.

    Helping youth and adults cultivate success was a motivating factor during her career. She is proud to have served the community she calls home. Sally believes in life-long learning and the concepts that were part of the 4-H Program during her career are being used in a variety of organizations she is volunteering with currently. Her commitment to making a lasting difference has positively affected youth, adults, and the entire community. Sally credits her 4-H colleagues, Dodge County UW-Extension Staff, Board of Supervisors, and 4-H Volunteers and families in helping develop a strong 4-H Program which included traditional 4-H, school enrichment, and community outreach.

    It is important to note that she partnered with many individuals and organizations through the years and with hard work and dedication, they were able to come together and make a difference. She has been fortunate to have her family involved and supportive in her career and is grateful to her late husband, Jim, and daughters, Laura and Kari, who were active 4-H members and now leaders who helped her make a difference.