From making a “fantastical surprise dessert” for the Grady County Festival as a 5-year-old to leading statewide initiatives in healthy living and STEM, Maggie Evans’ 4-H journey has been defined by creativity, service and resilience. Her decade of dedication to the program has earned her a place in the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame.
Evans, a member of the Rock Island 4-H Club, was honored during the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma Honor Night Assembly at the 104th State 4-H Roundup at Oklahoma State University. As a Hall of Fame inductee, she received a $5,000 scholarship sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma. She was also named to the Blue Award Group and was awarded a $1,500 Rule of Law Graduating Senior Scholarship sponsored by the Rule of Law Endowment.
With 10 years in 4-H, Evans has built a legacy of leadership across multiple project areas, including healthy living, wildlife and fisheries, STEM and civic engagement. She has served in numerous leadership roles, including Grady County 4-H president, West District president for the south region and state 4-H Ambassador.
“She’s had a huge impact not only on her club, where she’s been a leader for many years, but also in getting our county Cloverbud program up and running,” Liz Taylor, Grady County 4-H educator. “She sees a need in the community and knows she can make a difference.”
Evans’ passion for healthy living stems from her personal journey with anxiety, which she has shared to encourage others. As a state Healthy Living Ambassador, she helped plan and lead workshops at the state and national levels, including the Ignite Summit and Healthy Living Day. She also created a county SPIN club focused on fitness.
“One of the biggest things 4-H has taught me is that it’s okay to take your time to discover what you like to do and what you think you’d be good at,” Evans said. “There’s a lot of pressure on young people to have everything figured out, but 4-H gave me space to explore.”
As a state STEM Innovator, Evans represented Oklahoma at multiple national events and led workshops on astronomy, coding and chemistry in the kitchen. She also organized an eclipse viewing party.
Her civic engagement efforts span from nursing home visits and creating fidget mats for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia to national advocacy. She introduced Rep. Frank Lucas at the National 4-H Council Congressional Breakfast and presented a 45-minute briefing at USDA headquarters on improving health outcomes for teens in the United States.
Taylor recalled a moment that illustrated Evans’ character and compassion for others.
“The first year Maggie ran for a district office, I was told beforehand to prepare her because she didn’t win,” Taylor said. “I went to her and said, ‘Hey Maggie, I hate to tell you this, you’re not going to win your district office.’ She was disappointed, but she turned right around and said, ‘But how did the other candidates from our county do?’ She cared more about other people.”
Evans said her 4-H journey has helped her overcome anxiety and build confidence.
“Throughout my time in 4-H, I wasn’t always able to stand up and give speeches, teach workshops and lead meetings, but I was surrounded by others who loved me every step of the way,” she said. “I hope to be a voice of influence to the youth of Oklahoma. My message is this: Anxiety and other mental health struggles do not define you. There is hope and healing.”
She credits her mentors and educators for shaping her 4-H experience.
“My educator has taught me that the goal for every project I undertake is to teach and inspire those I’m teaching,” Evans said. “My club leader has taught me that your loves and values will show in everything you do. If you are fully invested and you truly care, your 4-H work will be exciting and engaging.”
In addition to her 4-H work, Evans is active in her church, a member of the National Archery in the Schools Program archery team and a former cast member in the Chickasha Community Theatre. She has also participated in fundraising efforts to support her family’s mission work in Nicaragua.
“I think the biggest way that I’m seeing this honor is leaving something for younger generations,” Evans said. “A lot of the people in my county are a lot younger than me, and I just want to leave a legacy that inspires them to do more and be more in 4-H.”
Evans plans to attend Connors State College and complete her basic coursework as a member of the President’s Leadership Class. She then hopes to transfer to OSU to continue her education.
“I’m just going in with an open mind about what I want to do,” Evans said. “4-H has provided a groundwork for that — exploring different things and understanding it’s OK to not have your entire life planned out year by year.”
The Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development program provides experiential and hands-on learning opportunities to help youth learn valuable life skills they need to become leaders within their clubs, communities, state and world. Most programming is available at little to no cost. 4-H membership is open to youth in each of Oklahoma’s 77 counties where OSU Extension educators are equipped with research-based information to help all residents solve local issues, promote leadership and manage resources.
MEDIA CONTACT: Dakota Ballard | Office of Communications & Marketing, OSU Agriculture | 405-744-9645 | dakota@okstate.edu
Congratulations Maggie!
