San Joaquin County Council Scholarship Program

Soren Hempel 4-H Memorial Scholarship

Soren was born and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark.  He immigrated to the United States after World War II with his wife, Birgit.  He was a bank auditor for ten years in San Francisco when he first came to

California.  He then pursued a teaching career and became a math teacher in a middle school in Berkeley.  He was a counselor at San Joaquin Delta College for twenty years.

Soren had a real concern for helping and guiding the students he worked with and was recognized as one of the outstanding counselors at San Joaquin Delta College.  Soren was a 4-H leader with the Alpine-Victor 4-H Club for several years.  This memorial was established after his death in June, 1987.

Ironstone Concours Foundation 4-H Scholarship

After 30 years of service as a 4-H Leader and 4-H Foundation President, Mrs. Gail Kautz established the Ironstone Concours Foundation in 1993 for the purpose of generating additional revenue for California 4-H Youth Programs. What began as a simple fundraising luncheon with a few fancy cars for decoration, has evolved into a weekend event with over 300 classic and antique automobiles and motorcycles, two dinners, and thousands of guests.

Through the generous donations of our sponsors and patrons, ICF has been able to allocate funds to a variety of 4-H programs including: Horse Classics, Computer Corps, Guide and Service Dog Programs, Citizenship Service, and many others. This year ICF was a sponsor for the 4-H Leadership Conference. The success of this fundraising effort has allowed the expansion of disbursements to include a $5,000 scholarship through the California State Fair Scholarship program and directly to individual county programs.

The Ironstone Concours Foundation Board of Directors are passionately committed to supporting innovative youth development opportunities, which will help foster young citizens to make a positive difference in our world.

Franklin "Frank" Woods Memorial Scholarship

This fund was established in memory of Frank Woods by his family and friends.

Frank was a 4-H member in his youth.  Later in his life when his two sons, Michael and Wayne, and his wife, Rosemarie, were involved in the 4-H program, he became a project leader, community club leader, helped with other projects, served as District President, County officer, and was County Council Treasurer.

He loved working with the fair management, especially long-time a livestock superintendent with the same last name but no blood relative.  They surely were brothers in the service to youth.

Frank attended county, sectional, and state meetings.  He also attended the Western Regional 4-H Leaders’ Forums and State 4-H Leaders’ Forums.  He was highly involved at the club, county, sectional and state levels.  Frank served as a co-advisor on the San Joaquin Fair Youth Advisory Council; made up of 4-H, FFA, Grange, and people from the community.

He was a 4-H volunteer leader for 46 years and was always willing to help with his service bringing out the best in others.  He had his own creative touch with molding 4-H youth of today and 4-H volunteer leaders; they were his friends forever.

This Franklin Woods Memorial Scholarship will be given to present and former 4-H club members who apply for the scholarship to encourage them and support their education beyond high school.