URBANA, Ill. – 4-H youth across the state were honored for their career achievements in the 4-H program at the 4-H Celebration of Excellence held April 9.
The State 4-H Experience Award offers recognition for members who took part in activities and events in the categories of Participation, Community Service, Leadership, and Project Mastery.
In order to qualify for the top levels of the award, 4-H members must have expanded their experience beyond just the county level.
Diamond Level awards recognize youth who completed six or more experiences in one of the three dimensions, with at least four experiences beyond the county level. The Diamond Level awards are sponsored by David and Sue Randall and Dr. Janice Seitz.
Diamond Level Award Winners in Leadership include Sarah Rossi, Grundy County; Abigail Munar, Kendall County; Darcy Cummings, Macoupin County; and Jillian Jones, Pope County.
Diamond Level Award Winners in Project Learning include Madison Porter, Grundy County; and Jalynn Phillips, White County.
The Emerald Level award recognizes youth who completed eight or more experiences in one of the three dimensions, with at least four of those experiences beyond the county level and at least two at the state, national, or international level. The Emerald Level awards are sponsored by Patricia Clickener, Dr. Lloyd Shaw, Jim and Cheryl Wormley and Pete Haselhorst.
Emerald Level Award Winners in Leadership include Lance Woolam, Adams County; Willard Rozanas, Boone County; Caleb Zwilling, Champaign County; Dylan Zwilling, Champaign County; Hunter Shike, Champaign County; Noelle Taylor, Champaign County; Rebekah Taylor, Champaign County; Olivia Shike, Champaign County; Sophia Holmes, Cook County; Krish Nangia, DuPage County; Lydia Oker, Kendall County; Julian Heidrich, Kendall County; Sofie Heidrich, Kendall County; Libby Larkin, Livingston County; Caroline Ahrends, Logan County; Morgan Crouch, Macon County; Anthony Joiner,Macoupin County; Braylee Gilmore, Macoupin County; Luke Wolff, Macoupin County; Saralynn Joiner, Macoupin County; Trace Cummings, Macoupin County; Wyld Gilmore, Macoupin County; Connor Ray, McHenry County; Marcus Ray, McHenry County; Erin Kistner, Montgomery County; Kohen Stolte, Montgomery County; Jordyn Swinford, Pope County; Rachel Lands, Saline County; Trystan Borders, Union County; and Quinn James, Whiteside County.
Emerald Level Award Winners in Project Learning include Carlson Rozanas, Boone County; Elijah Taylor, Champaign County; Julia Taylor, Champaign County; Lydia Heren, Champaign County; Alex Barnard, Champaign County; Benjamin Diaz, Champaign County; Jenna Clemmons, Champaign County; Palin Goebel, Grundy County; Ava Winternheimer, Hamilton County; Courtney Lynn, Hamilton County; Emilee Cox, Hamilton County; Sarah Darnell, Hamilton County; Shiloh Willis, Hamilton County; Emily Reppy, Kendall County; Sydney Reppy, Kendall County; Christopher Corrigan, Livingston County; Taylor Crouch, Macon County; Katelyn Barber, Macoupin County; Makenna Harding, Macoupin County; Payton Harding, Macoupin County; Braden May, Massac County; Anna Curley, McDonough County; Carina Engst, McLean County; Reagan Parks, McLean County; Elaan Bader, Montgomery County; Emma Hughes, Montgomery County; Nathan Brown, Montgomery County; Amanda Niemann, Montgomery County; Katelyn Marley, Montgomery County; Lauren Carlson, Ogle County; Remington Curry, Pope-Hardin County; Abagayle Britton, Pulaski County; Kevin Britton, Pulaski County; Bailey Callahan, Rock Island County; Nicholas Gorbach, Rock Island; Delaney Nation, Shelby County; Callysta Borders, Union County; Naomi Dolan, Vermilion County; Grace McCarty, White County; Johanna Zieren, White County; Katelyn Allen, White County; Peter Widinski, Will County; Avery Edler, Will County; Vanessa Edler, Will County; and Annsley Healy, White County.
In Community Service, Resmiranda Small of Shelby County was also an Emerald Level winner.
The Deb Stocker Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team Scholarship honors an exceptional member of the 4-H Youth Leadership Team.
Megan Eppel of Lake County was this year’s recipient. Various donors contributed to this award.
“Winning this award means a lot to me because it will help me finish my business management and marketing degree,” says Megan. “The Youth Leadership Team has opened so many opportunities for me to pursue my major. I’m currently working as the team’s reporter, so working with the team’s social media, and on the 4-H website. The team gave me those opportunities to pursue things that I’m interested in and this scholarship will help me further my education.”
The 4-H Sustaining the Future Award recipients include: Sarah Darnell, Hamilton CountyBraylee Gilmore, Macoupin CountyMatias Habib, Kendall CountyAshleigh Janssen, Tazewell CountyHalie Kohl, Kankakee CountyPaige Lemenager, McLean CountyCaitlyn Richards, Hamilton County. This award is sponsored by Illinois Farm Bureau and Affiliates.
State 4-H Award winners were also celebrated at the event.
The ceremony program is available on the Illinois 4-H Publications Website.
ABOUT ILLINOIS 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and 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 then 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.
ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.
Source: Katie Duitsman, 4-H Leadership Youth Development Extension Specialist, pilcher3@illinois.edu
Writer: Carissa Nelson, Media Communications Manager, 4-H State Office, carissa7@illinois.edu