Posted: July 15, 2026
Pennsylvania 4-H has announced this year's recipients of the Allen L. and Richard H. Baker Memorial 4-H Scholarship. Receiving awards are Helayna Hollobaugh, of Elk County, Catherine Ewing, of Huntingdon County, Garrett Franck, of Union County, and John Bruner, of Indiana County
Garrett Franck (top left), John Bruner (top right), Catherine Ewing (bottom right), and Helayna Hollobaugh (bottom left))
The annual scholarship was established to honor a father, professor Allen L. Baker, and his son, Richard H. Baker, for their years of dedicated service to Penn State.
Professor Allen L. Baker served within the 4-H program for 38 years, including 37 years as the state 4-H club leader. Starting in 1946, Richard H. Baker worked for the University for 38 years, serving as assistant treasurer and director of financial management from 1976 to 1984.
Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences awards the scholarship to current or former Pennsylvania 4-H members who have completed at least one semester and are enrolled as full-time undergraduate students at Penn State's University Park campus or at a commonwealth campus.
Scholarship applicants highlight their Penn State Extension 4-H projects, activities, citizenship, and leadership experience and describe how those experiences contributed to their personal growth through their 4-H career. Additionally, many describe how 4-H influenced their field of study or career choices.
Hollobaugh, awarded $2,000, is a junior studying agricultural and extension education. For 11 years, she has been a member of 4-H in Elk County, currently serving on the Stride for Stride 4-H Saddle Club, the Gateway 4-H Club, and Pennsylvania Team Horse Power. In addition, Hollobaugh has been involved in a wide range of projects, including Performance Horse, Jr. Horse, Dressage Horse, Recreational Riding, Small Animal, Dairy Cow, Market Lamb, Market Swine, Competitive Trail, and Veterinary Science.
Her dedication and leadership in these areas have earned her numerous honors, including the prestigious Diamond Clover, Fox Township’s Women’s Club Good Citizen, the 2025 McAllister Outstanding Equine Member Award and the District VIII Sportsmanship Award.
Ewing, awarded $1,500, is studying recreation, park, and tourism management with an emphasis on park management and environmental interpretation, along with a minor in environmental studies. She participated in Huntingdon County 4-H, where she was a member of Spirit of the Clover and engaged in projects such as Goats, Sewing, Woodworking and Sheep. Additionally, she served as the club's secretary and vice president. For her efforts, Ewing earned the Outstanding 4-Her Award and Clover Awards at the Green and White levels.
Franck, awarded $1,500, is a junior at Penn State Harrisburg, where he is studying secondary education with a focus on social studies. He was a 14-year member of the Union County and Snyder County 4-H programs. During his time as a member, he participated in projects spanning animal and environmental sciences, leadership development, civic engagement, shooting sports, leathercraft and public speaking. Franck's leadership roles included serving as a STEM Ambassador for the inaugural State Project Ambassador team and as a member of the communications committee for the Pennsylvania 4-H State Council.
Franck was recognized as the Outstanding Junior and Senior 4-H'er in Union County and represented the program at National Congress, National Conference, the Forestry Invitational, and the Wildlife Habitat Education Program.
Bruner, awarded $1,000, is a sophomore at the Penn State DuBois campus pursuing a degree in wildlife technology. He has spent years in the Indiana County 4-H program developing his communication and leadership skills and immersing himself in a variety of project work. Through his dedication, Bruner received the 4-H Diamond Award and served as a member of the Pennsylvania 4-H Council, the pinnacle leadership position in the PA 4-H program. After graduating, Bruner plans to apply to the Ross Leffler School of Conservation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission with the goal of becoming a game warden.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website.
