To Whom it May Concern: It is my pleasure to provide this letter in support of Venya Gunjal as she applies for a scholarship from the Georgia Engineering Foundation. Venya is well positioned to be successful within the biomedical engineering field of study and to be eligible for this prestigious scholarship. The context in which I know Venya is through her participation in Georgia 4-H. Georgia 4-H is the youth development organization of the University of Georgia, which is delivered through county Extension offices throughout the state. Venya participated in Cobb County 4-H, and as she matured in the program, she quickly engaged in programs and opportunities that would take her beyond Cobb County. One of Venya’s greatest accomplishments in Georgia 4-H includes serving as the 2022-2023 President of the State 4-H Board of Directors. Each year, nine youth are elected by their peers to represent the over 170,000 (10-year average) 4-H’ers across the state and provide leadership, serve as an advisory group, and plan and coordinate a variety of activities. State Board members also interact with many stakeholders including elected officials, donors, and leaders. They hone their communication skills, confidence, and leadership skills which they can then apply in other settings. We witnessed Venya’s success as a President and her ability to serve as a strong leader and contributing team member. Georgia 4-H’ers also can develop mastery of content in various areas and earn “Master 4-H” status as they earn first place at state level competitions. It’s a significant accomplishment to master in any one area of the program, and Venja is a six-time Master 4-H’er. This places Venya in an elite class of Georgia 4-H’ers, and demonstrates her commitment, work ethic, and dedication to all in which she engages. Additionally, Georgia 4-H’ers are able to apply, earn, or engage in various national opportunities. Venya has taken full advantage of these opportunities and has served as a 2024 National Youth Leadership Team Member, served as a delegate to National 4-H Conference in Washington DC and to National 4-H Congress which is held in Atlanta each year. Twice, Venya has been a finalist at the National 4-H Youth in Action for her work in STEAM outreach and education. These experiences have no doubt offered Venya great perspective and provide chances to enhance and practice her critical thinking skills, problem solving abilities, and team building and communication skills. Furthermore, Venya was recognized as a 4-H Leadership in Action finalist for role in founding of a nonprofit called STEAMPark Inc. Through these efforts, she created positive change, strengthened learning opportunities, and provided free STEAM resources for Title I elementary students. Georgia 4-H prides itself on providing opportunities for youth to enhance workforce development skills and college and career readiness. However, the reality is that the youth must be willing to take advantage of these opportunities and engage to receive the full benefit. Venja has absolutely done this! She has a proven ability to lead, represent, and contribute to our organization. Please accept my strong recommendation for Venya Gunjal in support of being awarded a Georgia Engineering Foundation scholarship and let me know if I can provide any additional information. Regards, Melanie Biersmith State 4-H Leader/Director of 4-H
To Whom it May Concern: It is my pleasure to provide this letter in support of Venya Gunjal as she applies for a scholarship from the Georgia Engineering Foundation. Venya is well positioned to be successful within the biomedical engineering field of study and to be eligible for this prestigious scholarship. The context in which I know Venya is through her participation in Georgia 4-H. Georgia 4-H is the youth development organization of the University of Georgia, which is delivered through county Extension offices throughout the state. Venya participated in Cobb County 4-H, and as she matured in the program, she quickly engaged in programs and opportunities that would take her beyond Cobb County. One of Venya’s greatest accomplishments in Georgia 4-H includes serving as the 2022-2023 President of the State 4-H Board of Directors. Each year, nine youth are elected by their peers to represent the over 170,000 (10-year average) 4-H’ers across the state and provide leadership, serve as an advisory group, and plan and coordinate a variety of activities. State Board members also interact with many stakeholders including elected officials, donors, and leaders. They hone their communication skills, confidence, and leadership skills which they can then apply in other settings. We witnessed Venya’s success as a President and her ability to serve as a strong leader and contributing team member. Georgia 4-H’ers also can develop mastery of content in various areas and earn “Master 4-H” status as they earn first place at state level competitions. It’s a significant accomplishment to master in any one area of the program, and Venja is a six-time Master 4-H’er. This places Venya in an elite class of Georgia 4-H’ers, and demonstrates her commitment, work ethic, and dedication to all in which she engages. Additionally, Georgia 4-H’ers are able to apply, earn, or engage in various national opportunities. Venya has taken full advantage of these opportunities and has served as a 2024 National Youth Leadership Team Member, served as a delegate to National 4-H Conference in Washington DC and to National 4-H Congress which is held in Atlanta each year. Twice, Venya has been a finalist at the National 4-H Youth in Action for her work in STEAM outreach and education. These experiences have no doubt offered Venya great perspective and provide chances to enhance and practice her critical thinking skills, problem solving abilities, and team building and communication skills. Furthermore, Venya was recognized as a 4-H Leadership in Action finalist for role in founding of a nonprofit called STEAMPark Inc. Through these efforts, she created positive change, strengthened learning opportunities, and provided free STEAM resources for Title I elementary students. Georgia 4-H prides itself on providing opportunities for youth to enhance workforce development skills and college and career readiness. However, the reality is that the youth must be willing to take advantage of these opportunities and engage to receive the full benefit. Venja has absolutely done this! She has a proven ability to lead, represent, and contribute to our organization. Please accept my strong recommendation for Venya Gunjal in support of being awarded a Georgia Engineering Foundation scholarship and let me know if I can provide any additional information. Regards, Melanie Biersmith State 4-H Leader/Director of 4-H
To Whom it May Concern: It is my pleasure to provide this letter in support of Venya Gunjal as she applies for a scholarship from the Georgia Engineering Foundation. Venya is well positioned to be successful within the biomedical engineering field of study and to be eligible for this prestigious scholarship. The context in which I know Venya is through her participation in Georgia 4-H. Georgia 4-H is the youth development organization of the University of Georgia, which is delivered through county Extension offices throughout the state. Venya participated in Cobb County 4-H, and as she matured in the program, she quickly engaged in programs and opportunities that would take her beyond Cobb County. One of Venya’s greatest accomplishments in Georgia 4-H includes serving as the 2022-2023 President of the State 4-H Board of Directors. Each year, nine youth are elected by their peers to represent the over 170,000 (10-year average) 4-H’ers across the state and provide leadership, serve as an advisory group, and plan and coordinate a variety of activities. State Board members also interact with many stakeholders including elected officials, donors, and leaders. They hone their communication skills, confidence, and leadership skills which they can then apply in other settings. We witnessed Venya’s success as a President and her ability to serve as a strong leader and contributing team member. Georgia 4-H’ers also can develop mastery of content in various areas and earn “Master 4-H” status as they earn first place at state level competitions. It’s a significant accomplishment to master in any one area of the program, and Venja is a six-time Master 4-H’er. This places Venya in an elite class of Georgia 4-H’ers, and demonstrates her commitment, work ethic, and dedication to all in which she engages. Additionally, Georgia 4-H’ers are able to apply, earn, or engage in various national opportunities. Venya has taken full advantage of these opportunities and has served as a 2024 National Youth Leadership Team Member, served as a delegate to National 4-H Conference in Washington DC and to National 4-H Congress which is held in Atlanta each year. Twice, Venya has been a finalist at the National 4-H Youth in Action for her work in STEAM outreach and education. These experiences have no doubt offered Venya great perspective and provide chances to enhance and practice her critical thinking skills, problem solving abilities, and team building and communication skills. Furthermore, Venya was recognized as a 4-H Leadership in Action finalist for role in founding of a nonprofit called STEAMPark Inc. Through these efforts, she created positive change, strengthened learning opportunities, and provided free STEAM resources for Title I elementary students. Georgia 4-H prides itself on providing opportunities for youth to enhance workforce development skills and college and career readiness. However, the reality is that the youth must be willing to take advantage of these opportunities and engage to receive the full benefit. Venja has absolutely done this! She has a proven ability to lead, represent, and contribute to our organization. Please accept my strong recommendation for Venya Gunjal in support of being awarded a Georgia Engineering Foundation scholarship and let me know if I can provide any additional information. Regards, Melanie Biersmith State 4-H Leader/Director of 4-H