4-H Involvement: Christy was an active 4-H member from 2007 to 2013. She was active in Horse, Beef, Food and Nutrition, Rabbits, Fashion, Educational Presentations, and Record books. A premier horse judger in 4-H, Christy even won a national championship. She was a Parker County Ambassador and helped organize a One Day 4-H 5k for JDRF diabetes foundation. She was also the District 3 Council 2nd vice president.

Nominee's Current Role, Career, or Community Involvement: Christy is now a West Texas A&M Clinical Assistant Professor and Horse Judging Coach. She is also a Texas Elite Horse Judging Coach.

Brief summary of their impact and how they exemplify the 4-H motto: Dr. Christy Petry-Adams exemplifies the 4-H motto, “To Make the Best Better,”through her sustained commitment to developing knowledgeable, confident, and service-minded young people within the horse industry. During the past 10 years, she has coached and mentored more than 50 youth through 4-H and competitive horse judging programs. Through Texas Elite, she has prepared youth for horse judging, horse bowl, and hippology competitions at the county, district, state, and national levels. Her teams have earned numerous honors, including champion and reserve champion titles at the Texas State 4-H Horse Judging Contest, AQHYA World Show, All-American Quarter Horse Congress, National Cutting Horse Association Contest, APHA Lone Star Gathering, Pinto World Championship, and major livestock shows in Houston, San Antonio, and Fort Worth. Her knowledge, patience, and encouragement have definitely created confidence in her students. She is committed to excellence and makes the best even better. She gives tirelessly to her students and is always willing to help. She literally is a wealth of knowledge.

4-H Involvement: Kelley was involved in 4-H from 2009 to 2016 and was involved in just about everything you could imagine. At the county level, Kelley served as a Bell County 4-H Ambassador, showed sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and horses, and entered several projects in woodworking, textiles, and photography divisions at the Bell County Youth Fair. Horse educational presentations and livestock judging were also passion projects of hers, and she competed in both project areas at the county and district levels throughout her 4-H career. At the state level, Kelley exhibited sheep, goats and pigs at all of the major livestock shows from 2010-2016 and served as a Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador from 2014-2016. She excelled in all three phases of the Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Program and dedicated herself to serving others through this state level leadership position.

Nominee's Current Role, Career, or Community Involvement: Dr. Kelley Ranly serves as an Extension Specialist II with Texas 4-H, where she coordinates and leads statewide leadership experiences for Texas 4-H Youth Livestock and Agriculture. She provides leadership for the Texas 4-H Livestock, Equine, and Poultry Ambassador Programs, the Norman Borlaug Youth in Agriculture Program, Texas 4-H Horse Validation, and the Texas State 4-H Horse Show. Through these programs, Kelley creates hands-on educational opportunities that develop young people’s leadership, communication, mentorship, and agricultural advocacy skills.

Her impact reaches thousands of 4-H members each year. She has quite literally taken high school youth across the country and around the world to broaden their understanding of agriculture, including experiences on the East Coast, West Coast, Hawaii, Japan, Australia, and throughout the Mountain West and Canada. Whether she is leading an international experience, coordinating a statewide program, or working directly with youth in the equine project, Kelley models a service-minded, people-first approach to leadership that leaves a lasting impression on every student she serves.

Brief summary of their impact and how they exemplify the 4-H motto: Kelley displays an mmeasurable impact on 4-H members with her program development efforts to the various Texas 4-H ambassador programs and 4-H horse project. Her commitment is undoubtedly a core contribution to the future leaders of the agriculture industry.

4-H Involvement: Sierra's involvement in Texas 4-H from 2002 to 2012 played a pivotal role in shaping her passion for agriculture, leadership, and youth development. Throughout her 10-year 4-H career, she was heavily involved in swine and beef cattle projects while actively participating in leadership development opportunities at the county, district, and state levels. Through raising and exhibiting livestock, Sierra developed a strong work ethic, responsibility, and a deep understanding of animal agriculture. Her swine and cattle projects taught her the importance of dedication, record keeping, goal setting, and perseverance. Competing in livestock shows and educational activities helped build the confidence and determination that continue to serve her today. Beyond livestock projects, Sierra embraced numerous leadership opportunities through 4-H. She participated in leadership conferences, community service initiatives, educational contests, and club activities that strengthened her communication, public speaking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. These experiences inspired a lifelong commitment to leadership and service, while fostering her passion for helping others succeed. The values instilled through 4-H, including integrity, hard work, citizenship, and service, laid the foundation for Sierra's future educational and professional pursuits. Today, she carries those lessons forward in her work as a County Extension Agent, where she has the opportunity to give back to the organization that helped shape her life and positively impact the next generation of young people. Sierra credits her years in 4-H with providing the experiences, relationships, and opportunities that fueled her passion for agriculture and leadership. The program not only prepared her for a successful career but also inspired her commitment to developing youth and serving her community.

Nominee's Current Role, Career, or Community Involvement: Sierra has quickly established herself as a respected leader in Texas agriculture through her service as the County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources serving Lynn and Yoakum Counties with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. In this role, she provides research-based educational programming and technical support to agricultural producers, landowners, youth, and community leaders, helping strengthen the agricultural economy and natural resources of West Texas. She is responsible for developing and delivering programs that address critical issues in crop production, livestock management, leadership development, and rural community success.

A passionate advocate for agriculture, Sierra's commitment to serving producers extends beyond her current role. Prior to joining Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, she worked with the Texas Pork Producers Association, where she gained valuable experience in producer relations, agricultural advocacy, leadership development, and livestock industry promotion. This industry background gives her a unique ability to connect research, education, and real-world application for the producers she serves.

Throughout her career, Sierra has demonstrated an exceptional ability to build relationships and bring people together around a common goal: strengthening Texas agriculture. Whether organizing educational programs, supporting youth livestock projects, coordinating producer trainings, or working alongside industry partners, she consistently elevates those around her through collaboration and service. Her work directly impacts agricultural operations, supports the next generation of agricultural leaders, and helps ensure the long-term viability of rural communities.

What sets Sierra apart is her dedication to serving others. She approaches every challenge with professionalism, integrity, and a genuine desire to make a difference. Her leadership style reflects the values of Texas agriculture: hard work, resilience, and a commitment to continuous improvement. As a young professional, she has already earned the respect of producers, colleagues, and community leaders across the region.

She exemplifies the qualities recognized by a 4 Under 40 award. Through her leadership, service, and dedication to agriculture, she is making a lasting impact on the communities she serves and is helping shape the future of Texas agriculture.

Brief summary of their impact and how they exemplify the 4-H motto: Sierra truly lives the 4-H motto, through her wholehearted dedication to youth and her passion for helping young people succeed. She goes beyond teaching skills by investing in the growth, confidence, and character of the youth she serves. Through mentorship, encouragement, and meaningful learning experiences, Sierra inspires young people to recognize their potential, embrace leadership opportunities, and become engaged members of their communities. Her commitment to empowering the next generation creates a lasting impact that extends far beyond the 4-H program, making both individuals and communities stronger.

4-H Involvement: Will competed and was involved in 4H from years 2006 thru 2016. His main projects and activities were 2014–2015 Texas 4H Council Member, Market Beef, Market Goats, Livestock Judging, Consumer Decision Making, Dairy Judging, Record Book, Photography, Promote 4-H speech, and numerous community outreach events. He loved giving speeches and serving as keynote addresses at different events all over the state.

Nominee's Current Role, Career, or Community Involvement: Will is currently an Agriculture Science Teacher servicing the Wylie School District in Abilene, TX. Through his role there, he oversees 490 kids in ag classes, advises over 120 livestock projects, and this past year had over 70 students earn their industry based certifications. Throughout the Abilene community, Will is known as a man that never strays away from a question or someone wanting to learn. He pours himself into the community by helping with different boards and entities. He judges livestock shows and auctioneers at events in order to be around and serve youth involved with the 4-H and FFA- The 2 greatest organizations that he was once involved in.

Brief summary of their impact and how they exemplify the 4-H motto: Will exemplifies the 4-H Motto, "To Make the Best Better," through a lifelong commitment to leadership, service, and developing the next generation. As a former Texas 4-H Council member, he embraced every opportunity to grow and give back, and today he continues that same mission as an Agriculture Science Teacher and FFA Advisor. Each year, he impacts hundreds of students by teaching agricultural education, mentoring livestock exhibitors, helping students earn industry certifications, and encouraging young people to become confident leaders. His passion for agriculture and youth development reflects the values instilled in him through 4-H, proving that 4-H is not simply something he participated in, it is a way of life. By investing in others and continually striving to improve himself and those around him, Will embodies the true spirit of making the best even better.