Evelyn Conklin-Ginop, emeritus 4-H advisor, died in Petoskey, Michigan, on Aug. 12. She was 73.
Evelyn, who participated in 4-H while growing up in Sacramento County, joined UC ANR in 1993, serving as a 4-H advisor first in Southern California and later in Lake and Mendocino counties. She served as a 4-H advisor in Sonoma County for about a decade until she retired in 2011.
“I never had an opportunity to work with Evelyn directly, but was aware of her work, especially developing the 4-H Bloco Drum and Dance afterschool program at Windsor Middle School,” said Steven Worker, 4-H youth development advisor for Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties.
“She championed hands-on learning, youth leadership, community service and belonging,” he said. “Under her leadership, Sonoma County 4-H reached more than 1,000 youth annually through clubs; literacy, science, engineering and technology activities; community-service projects and afterschool partnerships.
Steven noted, “One of her most distinctive contributions was helping develop Windsor Bloco Drum and Dance with schools. Through Brazilian Carnaval drumming, dance and performance, the program gave adolescents a supportive community and opportunities to build confidence, discipline, cultural pride, and leadership. Evelyn co-authored a curriculum so others could replicate it. Her creativity and dedication expanded what 4-H could look like and left a lasting mark on Sonoma County youth, families, volunteers and partners.”
The 4-H Windsor Bloco played well enough to land gigs in Boston, San Francisco and San Jose, and was featured in a Press Democrat article in 2008
Evelyn earned a Master of Arts in counseling at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
“She was a creative person filled with zest for life!” said Diane L. Metz, emeritus UC Cooperative Extension nutrition, family and consumer science advisor.
Evelyn is survived by her husband Henry Ginop and her daughter Heather Ginop.
Read more in Evelyn’s obituary.
Condolences and Evelyn stories can be shared with Henry and Heather Ginop by writing to them at 11599 Inverness Trail Rd, Cheboygan, MI 49721.