2006 Louisa County - Shirlee Werner

Shirlee Werner (then Shirlee Della Penna) was a member of 4-H in Louisa County as a child.  During her 4-H years she participated in many projects of the club, but some of her favorite activities were clothing construction and the style shows that followed.  What Shirlee did in 4-H as a youth (in clothing construction and other things) in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s must have really made a difference in her life because in 1984 Shirlee became the Youth and 4-H leader for Louisa County Extension.  

During her years as Youth and 4-H leader Shirlee oversaw the volunteers and worked to see that 4-H in Louisa County was as valuable to the kids as it was to her as a youth.  If you talked to Shirlee about those years she would tell you about one unforgettable time when she chaperoned young people to Washington D.C. and while on the trip, they stopped in a shop and got their hair painted and spiked!  Another memory she often shares is of a time when she took a group of kids fishing and they made simple pop can fishing poles by winding their line around a can.

Shirlee later became the County Director for Louisa County Extension, but never left her efforts for 4-H behind.  Even now, as a new retiree, Shirlee works tirelessly for the 4-H Foundation in Louisa County.  She helped found the Community Foundation of Louisa County which distributes grants from gambling boat funds to youth and adult organizations in the county.  Shirlee serves on the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Louisa County and she is a member of the Langwood Advisory Board, which serves the Conservation Board of Louisa County.