LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Two long-time Scotts Valley 4-Hers were awarded $850 scholarships recently.

Emma Mertle and Abby Mertle were honored with the 2023 Paul and Otha Alexander Memorial Scholarship at this year’s Lake County Fair.

Both Abby and Emma were active in the Scotts Valley 4-H club for 12 years, serving as officers and raising a variety of livestock for auction at the Lake County Fair.

Both young women graduated from Clear Lake High School this year. They are the daughters of Jeff and Brite Mertle of Lakeport.

Abby proved to be an exceptional student, played basketball and volleyball, worked summers at a local business, raised quality market animals including a champion market hog and turkey, and volunteered at community events.

Her plans for the future include study at Butte College and then Montana State University.

Emma earned straight As in school and enjoyed being involved in sports and student leadership. One of her proudest achievements was to have been selected to raise an auction hog to benefit the Lake County Fair Foundation which garnered over $25,000 in donations in 2022.

A passionate advocate for agriculture, Emma plans to attend Chico State to study agriculture education.

The twin sisters both expressed appreciation for the opportunities they had in school and 4-H.

“The Alexander Family is proud to recognize the character, leadership, and community involvement of Emma and Abby Mertle,” said Peggy Alexander, coordinator of the Paul and Otha Alexander Memorial Scholarship.

This year marks the 23st year of scholarship awards to local graduates, awards sponsored by the Lake County 4-H Council, the Falge family and the Alexander family.