SAVOY, Ill. — Champaign County 4-Hers shone brightly as they celebrated their accomplishments and hard work over the past year at the Golden Clovers at the Savoy Elks Lodge on November 13, 2023. The Golden Clovers is the annual Champaign County 4-H awards celebration. This event illuminated the dedication, hard work, and community impact of 4-H members across diverse program areas, including agriculture, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), leadership, and citizenship. The Champaign County 4-H Federation planned the event as a way to honor their fellow members’ exceptional achievements. The Federation is a group of youths from several different clubs throughout Champaign County that plan and promote several activities throughout the year.

“We are incredibly proud of our 4-H members for their remarkable accomplishments this year,” stated Mynda Tracy, 4-H Youth Development Educator. “These young leaders are the future of our communities, and we are confident that they will continue to positively impact the world.”

Like a sky full of stars, the awards celebration featured a variety of recognitions, including club officers, record book awards, individual project mastery awards, leadership awards, personal growth awards, communications awards, and community service awards. [number] of these awards were awarded to

“It’s a great way to recognize all the different members in our county and go above and beyond,” says 4-H Federation President and Sadorus 4-H All-Star Olivia Shike. “It’s one thing to go and compete at the fair, but it’s another thing to take time out of your day to keep a record book or do some of the other things worth celebrating.”

Other awards recognized those that support 4-H. This year, Scott and Michelle Wiesbrook were awarded this year’s Family Spirit Award for their years of volunteering their time and energy to various 4-H events and activities. They are truly a shining example of what it means to be a 4-H family. In addition, Philo Community Bank was recognized for its unwavering support and dedication to the Philo 4-H Friends with the Friend of 4-H Award.

 “The 4-H Awards celebration is an opportunity to showcase our youth's exceptional talent and potential,” remarked Mynda Tracy. “Their passion, perseverance, and commitment to positively impacting their communities are truly inspiring.”

To learn more about 4-H in Champaign County, visit go.illinois.edu/CFIV4H, contact Mynda Tracy at mynda@illinois.edu, or call 217-333-7672.

About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and is administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement and puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities, two times more likely to make healthier choices, two times more likely to be civically active, and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.

Photo Caption: Winners of the Outstanding Recordbook Award at the Golden Clovers on November 19, 2023.