Elizabeth, IL – On Sunday, November 5, 2023, over 100 volunteers, members, and families gathered at the Elizabeth Community Building for the annual Jo Daviess County 4-H Award and Volunteer Recognition Event. Together, they enjoyed an awards ceremony, program updates, and a variety of desserts and appetizers from E-Town Coffee Co. and Megan Marie's Bakery. The 4-H Awards event is an annual occasion where 4-H members are awarded for their outstanding accomplishments from the previous year, while 4-H volunteers are recognized for their valuable contributions to the Jo Daviess County 4-H Program.

Jo Daviess County 4-H Federation members Gracie Allen, Denali Fenn, Kyle Haas, Isabella Haring, Daphne Havens, Carissa Hinderman, Allauna Karberg, Gabrielle Kelly, Madalyn Koester, Rylan Miller, Faith and Christian Morhardt, Evelyn and Cody Noller, and Merrick and Grace Trone led this event and was emceed by 10-year 4-H members Karl Hubb, Stockton and Owen Trone, Warren. 

Highlighted award winners include:

Record Book and Experience Award Applications: Karl Hubb, Gabrielle Kelly, Faith Morhardt, Madelynn Redfearn, Raelynn Redfearn, Karragan Vondran, Lane Vondran, and Cloverbud members: Maci Burbach, Elsie Coppes, and Josie Coppes.

Achievement Level 1 Award Winners: Aloysius Berning, Anna Belken, Celia Berning, Louis Berning, Ryan Heiar, Truman Oberfoell, Ethan Anderson, Madelynn Redfearn, Raelynn Redfearn, Weston Stoewer, Karragan Vondran, Lane Vondran, Christian Morhardt, Calvin Bourquin, Hayden Bourquin, Grace Trone, Eleanor Loomis, Faith Trone, Gracie Kruse, Olivia Libberton, Raylan Albrecht, Heather Bradbury, Anna Dittmar, Lily Engle, Haddie Fogle, Hudson Fogle, Layna Kretschmer, Katya Linenfelser, Hale Moser, Josephine Moser, Dixi Palas, Cody Steffes, Izzy Steffes, Bradley Valezquez, and Travis Velazques.

Achievement Level 2 Award Winners: Karley Belken, Tessa Belken, Willa Berning, Lincoln Oberfoell, Ben Heiar, Natalie Heiar, Annalee Anderson, Madalyn Koester, Denali Fenn, Jarrett Johnson, Sadie Johnson, Madelyn Libberton, Cody Noller, Evelyn Noller, Tessa Gempler, Faith Morhardt, Rylan Cox, Kaitlin Linden, Bryce Long, Madyson Long, Eden Moore, Ezri Moore, Merrick Trone, Gracie Allen, Brook Bradbury, Hayden Bradbury, Ella Dittmar, Aletheia Fogle, Sawyer Fry, Allauna Karberg, Gabrielle Kelly, and Alejandra Velazquez.

Achievement Level 3 Award Winners: Riley Bourquin, Eli Moore, Eve Moore, Owen Trone, Kaylee Molitor, Meredith Hesselbacher, Carissa Hinderman, Joseph Brudi, Kyle Haas, Jenna Haas, Karl Hubb, Josie Belken, Abbey Heiar, Hailey Heiar, Pierce Oberfoell, Brooke Dittmar, Chase Dittmar, Bryce Gempler, Ashton Miller, Rylan Miller, Ashely Carroll, Cora Dittmar, Damon Dittmar, Isabella Haring, Keira Linenfelser and Graci Vanderheyden.

Top 4-Her of the Year: Carissa Hinderman of 21st Century 4-H club

4-H Hall of Fame Inductee: Betsy Muehleip

4-H Young Alumni Award: Codie Koester

Friend of 4-H Award: Bridget Zurcher, owner of Aunt Beez Greenhouse in Scales Mound, IL.

Program Book Cover Award: Denali Fenn of Scales Mound 4-H Club 

4-H "I Dare You" Award: Kyle Haas of Chelsea Busy Bees 4-H Club and Rylan Miller of Pleasant View 4-H Club

Spark Award: Karragan Vondran of Scales Mound 4-H Club

Youth in Agriculture Award: Karl Hubb of Chelsea Busy Bees 4-H Club and Ashley Carroll of Top Notchers 4-H Club

4-H Camp Counselor: Riley Bourquin of 21st Century 4-H Club, Damon Dittmar of Top Notchers 4-H Club, Jenna and Kyle Haas of Chelsea Busy Bees 4-H Club, Carissa Hinderman of 21st Century 4-H Club, Ashton Miller of Pleasant View 4-H Club, and Cody Noller of Chelsea Busy Bees 4-H Club.

Counselor in Training: Willa Berning of Menominee Achievers and Evelyn Noller of Chelsea Busy Bees 4-H Club

10 Year 4-H Members: Cora Dittmar of Top Notchers 4-H Club and Chase Dittmar of Pleasant View 4-H Club

11 Year 4-H Members: Aly Anderson of Scales Mound 4-H Club, Joseph Brudi of Chelsea Busy Bees 4-H Club, Ashely Carroll of Top Notchers 4-H Club, Justin Eden of Chelsea Busy Bees 4-H Club, and Jenna Haas of Chelsea Busy Bees 4-H Club.

Cloverbuds and Cloverbud Graduates were recognized with a drawstring bag, a certificate, and a 4-H "Glory be!" animal. First-year members and 5-year members were also recognized with a special member pin. Members receiving a "Choice Award" during the 2023 4-H Fair were also recognized.

Jo Daviess County 4-H also takes this time to recognize our 4-H Leaders and 4-H Volunteers. 4-H volunteers are the heart of 4-H and willingly give their time and support to our youth. In Jo Daviess County, we have over 60 4-H volunteers who serve as club leaders, committee members, superintendents, and judges for our 4-H shows, lead special interest clubs, or help lead workshops. "Our volunteers make the world go round," says Angela Miller, 4-H program coordinator. "I have been involved in 4-H since I was eight years old, and Jo Daviess County has some of the most dedicated volunteers I have ever met. They care for our youth in a BIG way. We are fortunate and incredibly grateful for these individuals."

For more information about 4-H or the University of Illinois Extension, please contact the Jo Daviess County Extension Office at 815-858-2273.