Dana Stephens | 4-H in the Panhandle

Okaloosa 4-H Youth Triumph in State Forest Ecology Contest — A Victory Rooted in Passion, Perseverance, and Tribute

by Dana Stephens | Jun 10, 2025

With compasses in hand and determination in their hearts, four dedicated Okaloosa County youth took home top honors at the 2025 Florida 4-H Forest Ecology Contest — a testament to months of tireless preparation, deep curiosity, and unwavering teamwork.

Photo of four Okaloosa 4-H County youth in front of a lake in Austin Cary Forest before the 2025 Florida 4-H Forest Ecology Contest.

The 2025 Okaloosa 4-H Forest Ecology Team composed of Kaden Thames, Izzy Wise, Philip Thames, and Kayleigh Thames (left to right).

Philip Thames, Kayleigh Thames, Caden Wise, and Izzy Wise didn’t just show up to compete — they showed up ready. Armed with an impressive knowledge of Florida’s forests, these young naturalists spent countless hours mastering everything from bird calls to tree identification, map reading, and the ecological impact of pests and diseases. Their hard work paid off in the forested grounds of Austin Cary Forest near Gainesville on May 29, where they competed with youth from across the state.

In a field where every detail matters and every skill tested, the Okaloosa team rose to the challenge — and then some.

Philip Thames, one of the youngest contestants, stood out in the junior division for his poise, knowledge, and attitude.
Kayleigh Thames captured third place overall in the individual, intermediate division.
Izzy Wise earned an impressive second place overall in the same division.
Together with Caden Wise, the trio won third place in the intermediate team competition.
Okaloosa 4-H youth won third place in the team, intermediate division at the 2025 Florida 4-H Forest Ecology Contest. The team included Kaden Wise, Izzy Wise, and Kayleigh Thames presented by Red Baker, Director of UF’s SNRE Department (left to right).

Photo of two youth with second place (red) and third place (white) ribbons for wins in the independent, intermediate division at the 2025 Florida 4-H Forest Ecology Contest.

Izzy Wise won second place and Kayleigh won third place in the individual, intermediate division at the 2025 Florida 4-H Forest Ecology Contest.

But this wasn’t just a win on the scoreboard. This year’s victory was deeply personal. The team competed in memory of Sheila Dunning, beloved UF/IFAS Okaloosa County Extension Agent and their devoted coach, who passed away earlier this year. Her legacy of mentorship and passion for forestry education continues to inspire each of them.

Outline image of Sheila Dunning holding an alligator on back of t-shirt. Shirt worn by youth participating in her honor at the 2025 Florida 4H Forest Ecology Contest.

T-Shirt worn by Okaloosa 4-H youth at the 2025 Florida Forest Ecology Contest in honor of their mentor and coach the late Sheila Dunning.

More than just a contest, this journey was about growth — intellectual, personal, and communal. It showcased the power of 4-H to shape youth into thoughtful, capable leaders rooted in a love for science and the natural world.

Congratulations to our Okaloosa 4-H team! Your hard work, heart, and humility have made your community proud.

Meet the 4-H Agent- Dana Stephens- Okaloosa County, FL

by Dana Stephens | May 24, 2024

Dana Stephens enjoys serving Okaloosa County, Florida and UF/IFAS Extension as the County Extension Director and 4-H Agent. In the County Extension Director role, Dana guides a vibrant team of faculty, program assistants, and staff engaged in impactful educational programming that enhances our communities. In the 4-H Agent role, she crafts accessible, experiential learning opportunities for youth and support systems for adult volunteers founded on positive youth development outcomes.

Three youth embracing after receiving second place at 4-H Statewide Forest Ecology event

Okaloosa 4-H youth embracing in excitement.

Dana’s career has always been about collaboration and helping others. This collaborative spirit is the driving force behind her service-focused, transformational leadership approach. She brings together her diverse experiences in natural resources and aquatic management, environmental sciences, higher education, leadership coaching, and career readiness to create a comprehensive approach to her work. The most rewarding part of her job is the journey of learning with individuals and teams, and the shared successes that come from it.

One of Dana’s current projects is the development of organizational and volunteer systems that support youth development in Okaloosa County. She recognizes the crucial role of adult leaders and volunteers in teaching youth and enhancing the 4-H program in Okaloosa County. Through collaborative work, she aims to align 4-H actions with the mission of the Okaloosa 4-H Program, which is to empower dedicated volunteers to equip youth with essential life skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging through engaging and fun learning experiences. Consistent organization, adherence to state and county protocols and procedures, and integration of positive youth development components into all outcomes are key to the success of this educational program.

Picture of Dana Stephens transporting baby chicks from an elementary school to their home farm as part of 4-H Embryology Project.

Dana Stephens transporting chicks for the Okaloosa County 4-H Embryology Project.

Dana deeply appreciates the mission of land grant institutions because of the inclusion of Extension. She completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduate degrees at the University of Florida, where Extension was a continual thread to her academic work. The opportunity to identify community needs and collaborate with various individuals and teams to build solutions to challenges through education is a gratifying career for Dana. Playing a small role in helping grow our future leaders through 4-H programming has been and will continue to be exhilarating every single day.