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COLUMBUS—The Polk County 4-H Program recently announced two exciting opportunities for local students.

In memory of Helen Blackwell, who led the Polk County 4-H Program for two decades, the Helen Clark Blackwell Scholarship will be awarded to graduating seniors involved in 4-H. Two scholarships valued at $3,000 each will be offered to deserving students, with funds paid directly to their chosen accredited institution.

Interested students can pick up scholarship applications at the NC State Co-Op Extension Office located at 79 Carmel Lane in Columbus. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is Saturday, March 15. Contact Jessica Jackson at jackson@ncsu.edu for more information on obtaining an application.

Additionally, Polk County 4-H announced a paid internship opportunity for high school and college students aged 16 and older who are passionate about 4-H, livestock, or horticulture. The internship will provide participants with hands-on experience and the chance to explore careers in extension.

Internship details include a duration of 10 weeks, with a commitment of 15 hours per week, totaling 150 hours. This is an excellent opportunity for students looking to build their skills, explore new areas, and gain insights into community programs, agriculture, and youth development.

The deadline to apply for the internship is Friday, April 11. For more information on this opportunity, students can visit https://polk.ces.ncsu.edu.