MORRIS, Ill – University of Illinois Extension in Grundy County recently announced the 2025 youth award recipients for the 2024-25 program year.
“Today, we want to take the time to recognize the achievements of 4-H members who, quite literally, are making the best better every day,” said Emilia Elabed, 4-H youth development educator serving Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties. “We are recognizing members for outstanding service to the community, mentoring others, and a multitude of other accomplishments that deserve to be celebrated.”
Award recipients in Grundy County were recognized at the Grundy County Awards Night this past week. Award recipients are:
Federation Clover Award
Hannah Greene
Harlyn Smith
4-H Experience – County Level Recognition
SILVER CLOVER
Margaret Feldman
Samuel Biros
Emalyn Williams
Micaiah Bechtel
Benjamin Biros
GOLD CLOVER
Emma Alchele
Luke Huntley
Best Secretary Award
Chyanne Andersen
Best Treasurer Award
Addison Bibbo
Project Awards
2025 Electricity Award (Energy Education Council)
Joseph Emmerich
Illinois Dairy Awards (Illinois Holstein-Friesian Association)
Sam Biros
Ben Biros
4-H Membership & Year pins
8 Years
Cooper Biros
Luke Huntley
Gracie Smith
9 Years
Jacob Truhlar
Simon Truhlar
Hannah Greene
Hope Emmerich
10 Years
Grace Emmerich
Addison Frye
Jessie Henke
Madison Porter
Chris Smith
Ben Biros
Gunner Varland
11 Years
Hannah Rossi
Sarah Rossi
Kami Greene
2024-25 Cloverbud Members
First Year
Charlotte Rangel
Isabel White
Axton Valvidia
Autumn Willard
Mattux Bibo
Britta Ogden
Eleanor Smith
Ian Kaluzny
Sam Veselak
Goldie Smith
Elise VanDolson
Elise Kaluzny
Alaina Kaluzny
Faith Emmerich
Jaxson Penkala
Atley Anderson
Mason Brockman
Oliver Rogers
Kole Connell
Brock Mitchell
Gauge McElroy
Second Year
Emma Aichele
Hudson Kaluzny
Henry Baker
Ruby Stott
Reece Riley
Margaret Kindelspire
Olivia Johnston
Bria Truhlar
Delaney Hammen
Judah Ugolini
Karsyn Smith
Jett Harford
Corey Bauerly
Third Year
Reed Sheperd
Hannah Rasmusson
Larkyn Kaluzny
Isaiah Emmerich
Helen Feldman
Scarlett Gerber
Landon Brockman
Benning Zelko
Dominic D'amico
For more information about 4-H in your county, visit go.illinois.edu/About4HGKW
WRITER: Anthony Warmack, communications coordinator, Illinois Extension
SOURCE: Brooke Katcher, 4-H recruitment and engagement coordinator, Illinois Extension
ABOUT ILLINOIS 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.