Emily McGee receives 2026 Tricia Vaughan Memorial Award
By Ann Marie Chechalk
This annual West Niagara Agricultural Society Scholarship Program celebrates young leaders who have excelled in their achievements as 4-H club members and at school and in their community. The scholarship has been running since 2007 and the purpose of this program is to develop an awareness of the importance and benefits of higher education. It is offered by the West Niagara Agricultural Society with the cooperation and support of the Niagara 4-H Association to current members of Niagara 4-H who have completed at least six projects and are enrolled in a recognized post-secondary education program.
This year’s scholarship was presented to Emily McGee.
Emily McGee has been a member of many 4-H clubs. She has participated in many 4-H events and been chosen for many awards and she must be complimented on her diligence when taking on any task whether it be learning to line dance, making a barn quilt, processing grape juice or training a goat. She is an extremely hard worker and takes great pride in doing a good job.
She has been awarded the Niagara Grain Farmers trophy for her knowledge of grains, seeds and placing each class. Emily lives on a farm and assists her father Mike with the harvest of hay and wheat.
She takes seriously her showmanship ability in the Goat Club as shown through her many accolades and enjoys the competitions. She has perfected her skills to reach champion showman within our club and at inter-county shows, all with a pleasant demeanor and a great sportsmanship attitude. Achieving the honour of grand champion showman, she is able to treat all animals with respect be it dairy cow, rabbit or chicken.
McGee is always willing to learn and asks thoughtful and intelligent questions. She is a quick learner and is willing to take on any assignment and do an excellent job. A wonderful mentor in the clubs to many new and young 4-H members, she’s also a fun member with lots of creative ideas in the craft/woodworking club. This year she is learning to use a variety of tools and has mastered using a drill and pin nail gun.
To further attest to her attributes in 2025 she was awarded the Tricia Vaughan Memorial Award presented by Jim and Gay McIlwain. This award is given to a Niagara 4-H member who demonstrates the following characteristics that defined Tricia’s 4-H career: Initiative, innovation and dedication to the 4-H program, mentorship and inspiration to others in the 4-H program and a giving spirit within the 4-H community and the community at large. Congratulations go out to Emily McGee for being chosen as the Tricia Vaughan Scholarship of 2026. This scholarship will go towards her education at Guelph University.
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