OREGON, Ill. - Ogle County’s top 4-H members and clubs were honored for outstanding achievement at a special program held Sunday, November 12, in the Byron Middle School Theatre.

Top county honors went to 4-H teens Katy Snow, Oregon, and Lacie Williams, Leaf River. Snow, Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club, and Williams, Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club, were the recipients of the Co-op Watch Awards sponsored by Ogle County Farm Bureau and its affiliates.  Watches are awarded yearly to the two 4-H’ers with the most impressive records of long-term leadership and service at the club level and beyond.

Carson Conderman, Byron, received a $50 cash award sponsored by the Ogle County 4-H Foundation.  The Foundation Award is presented annually to a single 4-H’er who has shown leadership skills and a willingness to help with 4-H activities and has served as a positive example to younger members.

 Four youths were challenged to greater leadership and service as the “I Dare You” Leadership Award recipients.  New owners of William Danforth’s inspiring book, “I Dare You,” these youth were selected based on their previous leadership, citizenship, and project work.  Winners included: Alex Booker, By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club; Bruce Gehrke, By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club; and Alyse Rogers, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club.

Other special award winners included:

Outstanding Club President                        Outstanding Club Vice-President               

Ali Danekas, Pine Creek Valley                          Courtney Bushman, Pine Creek Valley

Kaden Lingbeck, Leaf River Soaring Eagles        Lacie Williams, Leaf River Soaring Eagles

Outstanding Club Secretaries                     Outstanding Club Treasurers

Lauren Carlson, By-Y-Badgers                           Mallory King, Mighty Clovers

David Wehler, Leaf River Soaring Eagles            Kaeden Motszko, Leaf River Soaring Eagles

Outstanding Club Reporter                         Outstanding Club Historians

Grant Johnson, Leaf River Soaring Eagles          Aubrey Kusnierz, Mighty Clovers

Haven Marks, Summerhill Huskies                     Kaden Lingbeck, Leaf River Soaring Eagles

Ogle County Club Recreation Chairperson

Logan Burmeister, Pine Creek Valley

David Wehler, Leaf River Soaring Eagles

Outstanding Club Junior Leaders

Ali Danekas, Pine Creek Valley

Electricity Achievement Award

Preston Taylor, Hub Hickory Nuts

Illinois Holstein-Friesian Association Award

Emily Harbaugh, Carefree

Several awards were distributed to community clubs throughout the county for outstanding community service, educational programming, and promotional efforts.  Additionally, one club’s leadership team was recognized for their outstanding efforts to work together to effectively meet the needs of and coordinate the work of their club.  Congratulations go to all the following club winners:

Window Display Promotion Award

1st Place – Mighty Clovers 4-H Club (Monroe Center)

2nd Place – Summerhill Huskies 4-H Club (Forreston)

3rd Place – Ogle Jolly 4-H Club (Stillman Valley)

Ogle County 4-H Club-of-the-Year

1st Place – Ogle Jolly 4-H Club (Stillman Valley)

2nd Place – Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club (Oregon)

3rd Place – By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club (Byron)

Top Leader Team Award

Pine Creek Valley 4-H Club (Polo): Pat Bushman, Tanya Bushman, Kristine Grifin, and Julie Merdian

Alumni Award

Bode Martin

Hall of Fame

Gretchen Johnson

4-H is an informal youth education program of University of Illinois Extension.  For more information or to get involved, call 815-732-2191 or visit us online at https://extension.illinois.edu/bdo. This is the best time of year to join!

If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in programming, contact the Ogle County Extension office at 815-732-2191. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your needs.

In the photo is Katy Snow, Oregon, who received the Co-op Watch Award from Stan Eden at this year’s 4-H Achievement Day. This award is intended to honor 4-H’ers for outstanding leadership involvement at the club, county, and beyond. (Not Pictured: Lacie Williams)