• By Teresa Bryant
• Posted Thursday, May 10, 2012

Cooperative Extension Agent Wins Excellence Award

Forsyth County Cooperative Extension Agent, April Bowman, was recently presented with the Piedmont Regional Association of Volunteer Administrators, PRAVA, Excellence Award at The Governor’s Awards Ceremony in Winston-Salem.

The annual Governor’s Awards Ceremony, hosted by Hands On of North West North Carolina, held a breakfast on May 8th at Salem Towne Retirement Campus to honor volunteers. The event highlighted volunteers who “pay it forward” each day by giving.

The PRAVA Excellence Award recognized a Program Coordinator who gives back by working with volunteer staff to maintain or sustain a program.

The 2012 PRAVA Excellence Award Recipient, April Bowman, coordinates a host of youth programs offered by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Forsyth County Center, through their 4-H program. 4-H is a youth development program model that offers the chance for youth “to learn by doing” to build life skills. A great example of the learning by doing concept, in 2011, 4-H Clubs in Forsyth County gave back almost 3,000 hours of community service hours valued at roughly $600,000 to our community.

Volunteer management is just a small part of April’s job, but it produces tangible outcomes in the lives of children. April was nominated for the award by her County Extension Director, Mark Tucker, who calls April the “guru of youth development” and a “go to person” for youth projects and involvement.

Mr. Tucker says he is amazed at how April "utilizes her skills to provide outstanding support to 4-H volunteers who respond with exceptional service to youth in Forsyth County”. He additionally says that he applauds April for her efforts and careful consideration to her role as a 4-H agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and in our community abroad.

The Governor’s Award Ceremony hosted many guests including the guest speaker, Linda A. Carlisle, Secretary for the NC Department of Cultural Resources, representing our governor’s office and local News Anchor and Reporter, Cameron Kent, of WXII News 12, who was the Master of Ceremony. Special thanks to Mayor Allen Joines for the city proclamation honoring volunteer service. The occasion was graced with mellow musical selections by the Reagan High School Jazz Combo.

April Bowman’s award was presented by Teresa Bryant who serves as the Co-Chair for PRAVA for the 2012-13 year. Ms. Bryant, a social worker for Forsyth County Department of Social Services has utilized programs at 4-H to serve children and acknowledges the accomplishments partnerships can achieve in our community.

PRAVA has monthly volunteer relationship building and professional development meetings and acknowledges the impact that “in-kind” services contribute to outcomes in our Triad Community. Volunteer managers are encouraged to join PRAVE by contacting Teresa Bryant at 703-3744.