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4-H achievement awards presented
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Red Willow County 4-H Achievement celebration was Sunday, Oct. 20, at the 4-H Building with a group of approximately 100 people in attendance. 4-H Council Chairman, Bill Cappel, gave the welcome.
Janet Rippe, 4-H Council member, presented the Nebraska 4-H Foundation Awards. The Outstanding 4-H Member awards were received by Mack Alspaugh and Morgan Barnhart. The Outstanding 4-H Alumni award was given to Dan and Michelle Larington. Shariel Thieszen received the Heart of 4-H award.
4-H member recognition for years of membership was presented by 4-H Council members Loretta Macfee, Matt Oltmer, Don Neel, and Amanda Slattery. Members were recognized for each year of membership with a certificate and pin.
The Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover Program consists of six levels that require a 4-H member to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate accomplishments. The Diamond Clover Recognition pins and certificates were presented by 4-H Aide, Donna Kircher. The following members were recognized: Amethyst-Level 1, Charlie Bortner, Bailey Hidy, Tori Honn, and James Neel; Aquamarine-Level 2, Kacy Anderson, Hadley Johnson, and Kylea Stritt; Ruby-Level 3, Kylee Hauxwell and Bailey Honn; Sapphire-Level 4, Kathlyn Hauxwell.
4-H leaders were recognized by Michelle Larington and Larry Shields, 4-H Council members. The leaders received certificates and pins for the following years of service: 1 year - Patricia Smith and Shariel Thieszen; 5 years - Stacy Springer; 10 years - Denise Ringenberg; and 35 years - Darla Ruppert. Michelle and Larry presented Kalli Nelms, Todd Thieszen, and Pam Wolford with the 4-H Innovator Awards. They also recognized the following 4-H clubs with the Nebraska 4-H Club of Excellence certificates: Beaver Valley, Bit & Spur, Driftwood Feeders, Farmer Charmer, Little Rascals and Project Pals. The Little Rascals 4-H Club received the Community Service Award.
Chris Neel and Julie Gillespie, 4-H Council members, presented certificates and pins to youth receiving county awards and those qualifying as state nominees in the 4-H curriculum areas. Receiving recognition were: Bronze -- Kacy Anderson, Ashlyn Balderston, Justin Brush, Megan Hodgson, Cara Oltmer, Allison Rippe, Kylea Stritt, and Rachel Witt; Silver -- Cassiddy Beeby, Kathlyn Hauxwell, Kylee Hauxwell, Beth Hoyt, Logan Kircher, Cameron Lashley, and JoAnn Neel; Gold -- Desarae Balderston, Bryn Carriker, Cade Cappel, Hannah Esch, Mackenzie Esch, Greg Gaston, and Miranda Wordekemper. State award nominees include Bryn Carriker in Consumer and Family Science; Cade Cappel in Animal Science; Greg Gaston in Animal Science; and Miranda Wordekemper, Animal Science and Healthy Lifestyles.
John O'Dea, 4-H Council member, recognized and thanked all of the individuals and businesses who were trophy sponsors and premium sale buyers and sponsors at the 2013 Red Willow County Fair.
Bill Cappel recognized and thanked outgoing members of the 4-H Council for their service and contributions. They are Morgan Barnhart, Michelle Larington, Don Neel, and Matthew Oltmer. New 4-H Council members beginning January 2014 are Desarae Balderston, Hannah Esch, Jamie Kotschwar, and Kay Oltmer.
The afternoon concluded with door prizes and everyone enjoyed cookies and ice cream sponsored by the Red Willow County 4-H Council.
