Congratulations to Vikings biathlete, Eveline Juce. Eveline is one of only four recipients of a four year ($20,000.00) 4-H L.E.A.D. scholarship.

The four recipients announced in Ottawa on Thursday, were chosen from dozens of qualified and deserving applicants demonstrating both the depth of the 4-H membership and the demand for quality scholarships like this one. This past year, 4-H Canada saw a sixty per cent rise in national scholarship applications, indicating that senior 4-H youth continually strive for excellence and see immense value in opportunities, such as L.E.A.D., that foster the advancement of skills in addition to supporting their advancement as youth leaders.

L.E.A.D. recognizes outstanding 4-H'ers who epitomize 4-H youth empowerment. The program believes it's important to acknowledge and honour confident, accomplished 4-H'ers who have gained critical life skills through their 4-H experience. The recipients demonstrate Personal Impact, Community Impact and Leadership Excellence. Click here for more information.

Eveline has been an active 4-H member of the Decker Country Riders for 10 years. She has been on the executive council of her 4-H club for seven years and has sat as treasurer on Manitoba's South Parkland Area 4-H Council. Eveline has completed 10 equine projects and one leadership project throughout the years. Eveline credits 4-H for providing her with lifelong skills, opportunities and friendships.

When Eveline is not busy with 4-H, she is actively involved in sports and in her community. Eveline sits on the Hamiota Age Friendly Board, has her gold level requirements in the Duke of Edinburgh Program, sat on the National Duke of Edinburgh board for two years as a delegate and is junior light horse director of Hamiota's light horse show. Her passion is riding her horses year round and competing in the summertime on the Manitoba Gymkhana Rodeo Association circuit. Throughout high school, Eveline was on her school's soccer, golf, curling, badminton and beach volleyball teams. For the past two winters, Eveline has competed for Manitoba's provincial biathlon team and is a member of the University of Alberta Augustana Campus Nordic (Biathlon) Team.

Eveline is attending the University of Alberta Augustana Campus, studying for her BSc degree and hopes to pursue a career in medicine, specializing as a radiologist. Eveline would like to thank 4-H for making her into the person she is today as 4-H has inspired and taught her to become more dedicated, determined and well-rounded.