Photo Taken by: Shaffers OriginalsThe Henderson-Drew Family of Grass Valley has been named Family of the Year by the Nevada County Fair’s Board of Directors. The Board chose the Henderson-Drew family because of all the work they do to support Nevada County and for consistently encouraging the participation of Nevada County youth in agricultural projects.
Karen Henderson and Jim Drew are both agriculture teachers at Nevada Union High School and work extensively with high school students. Drew has been teaching at the high school for 31 years, and Karen for 16 years. In addition to their teaching responsibilities, they coach numerous leadership and career development FFA teams, and Karen is the school’s FFA advisor while Jim is the head cook for Cooper’s Café, the snack shack at the school’s football home games. They also oversee 50 different livestock projects during the summer, as well as more than 50 agriculture mechanics projects exhibited at the Fair.
“Karen and Jim have become such an integral part of the Fair,” said Ed Scofield, Fairgrounds CEO. “To me, they embody the spirit of Nevada County. They dedicate countless hours to their students and Nevada County agriculture. Instead of taking the summer off from their teaching, they are busier than ever. They begin the Fair season with Karen and her horticulture class planting the more than 1,000 hand-raised Marigolds along the Gold Path, then they work with their students throughout the summer on their livestock projects, and, finally, they see the students through their year-long culminating project – the Ag Mechanics Auction and the Junior Livestock Auction. These events benefit the youth of Nevada County by enabling students to afford college or vocational training. None of these events would be possible without the time and effort that Jim and Karen put into these projects.”
The Henderson-Drew family consists of six children, two grandchildren, and a grandchild on the way. All six children are graduates of Nevada Union. Karen’s three children are Pat, 30, who is currently attending Sonoma State for his city planning degree; Lesa, 28, the CEO of the California Wool Growers and California Pork Producers; and Sara, 22, graduating in June with her bachelor of science degree in agriculture business. Drew’s three children are Jessie, 30, a Chico State graduate and a nursing student, married to a Grass Valley police officer; Joy, 27, married and expecting their first child; and Jamie, 24, married and working in Sacramento.
As for their involvement in FFA, the couple’s dedication is admirable. In addition to FFA advisory roles, together they travel more than 6,000 miles a year taking students to competitions, leadership conferences, and various activities. Most of their weekends in the spring are spent with FFA travel and conferences. However, the family does find time for relaxation. They love to go to Eagle Lake and fish. Still, even those trips involve their students, as the two usually take the new officer team with them for a leadership and planning retreat during the summer.
As for their involvement in FFA, the couple’s dedication is admirable. In addition to FFA advisory roles, together they travel more than 6,000 miles a year taking students to competitions, leadership conferences, and various activities. Most of their weekends in the spring are spent with FFA travel and conferences. However, the family does find time for relaxation. They love to go to Eagle Lake and fish. Still, even those trips involve their students, as the two usually take the new officer team with them for a leadership and planning retreat during the summer.
Both families have been a fixture in Nevada County for more than 40 years. In fact, Henderson’s parents, Jack and Nancy Henderson, are being inducted into this year’s Fair’s Hall of Fame for their on-going support of the youth of Nevada County.
Prior to moving here in 1964, Karen spent her summers in Nevada County while her grandparents built their home, where the Henderson-Drew family currently resides. “The highlight of my summer when I was a child,” she says, “was going to the Nevada County Fair and going on all the rides.”
About being named the Fair’s Family of the Year, Henderson says, “We are honored to be recognized because we believe in what we are doing – with our program and with our community – because the FFA not only benefited our own kids but thousands of students. We both understand the importance of instilling work ethic and a caring attitude in every student we have in class, while at the same time we help students understand the importance of leadership – for themselves and their community.”
The Henderson-Drew Family will be honored at opening ceremonies of the Nevada County Fair, which runs August 6-10. They will receive free admission to the entire run of the Fair, along with parking passes, free carnival rides, and admission to all five nights of arena events. In addition, Schaffers Originals of Grass Valley will create a family portrait to commemorate the family’s selection as the Fair’s Family of the Year.
For more information about the Nevada County Fairgrounds, visit their website at http://www.nevadacountyfair.com/ or call (530) 273-6217.
1 comment:
I think it's especially fun that Joy,Drew's daughter is expecting her first child the week the Fair opens. That will definatley be a Best of Show for the Henderson-Drew family! Congratulations to whole family for be chosen as the Family of the Year! See you at the Fair!
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