Melinda Penny Gamot

Before what she considers the hometown crowd, family lawyer and 40-year supporter of 4-H, Melinda Penny Gamot, was inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame Saturday August 28, 2004 at the Okeechobee County 4-H Awards Banquet.

Gamot was one of only four individuals to be inducted in the 2004 Hall of Fame class. The honor is reserved for individuals who have given a lifetime of dedicated service to the 4-H program in Florida, according to Lane Jimison, executive director of the Florida 4-H Foundation.

“I consider myself the 4-H poster child.” Gamot said. “I joined at the earliest possible age and stayed until they kicked me out when I was 19.”

Mrs. Gamot was presented with the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame medallion by B.J. Allen, former State 4-H Program Leader, and long time friend and mentor. Mr. Allen, a charter member of the 4-H Hall of Fame, traveled from Gainesville to host the ceremony.

“Dr. Allen was a childhood hero then, and he still is today,” Gamot said. “It was a great thrill to see him, and to be remembered and honored by him.”

Though Mrs. Gamot participated in the Palm Beach County 4-H program, she says her “heart is in Okeechobee,” where she and her husband own a horse and cattle ranch. “I am finally back to the horses and cows I love so dearly.” Gamot said.

Mrs. Gamot began her 4-H career at age nine as a charter member of the first 4-H horse club in Florida, the Mustangs. Her expertise in and out of the arena brought her many awards, including several High Point Exhibiter trophies from the State Championship Horse Show. She also served as a delegate to the National 4-H Congress in Chicago, as well as the National Leadership Conference in Washington D.C.

Mrs. Gamot graduated from the University of Florida’s law school in 1978 and  has maintained a private practice in family law since. She was one of 70 inducted statewide as a “fellow” into the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and will soon become the president of the Florida Chapter.

“I have been blessed with wonderful accomplishments in my legal career,” Gamot said. “The sense of values and hard work  that got me there came from 4-H. There is no finer program available.”