HENRY, Ill. –The Marshall-Putnam University of Illinois Extension recently recognized outstanding achievements by 4-H members across Marshall and Putnam counties during an award ceremony held on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at the Henry Presbyterian Church. This event highlighted the dedication of 4-H youth to community service, leadership, and personal growth, with special thanks to the Henry Presbyterian Church for providing the venue.
4-H members engage in various projects and activities to develop valuable skills and build stronger communities. While 4-H is a rewarding experience on its own, the annual ceremony provides an opportunity to formally acknowledge the hard work and commitment of its members.
Standards of Excellence Awards
The Standards of Excellence Awards recognize members who demonstrate commitment at different age levels:
Project Achievement (Ages 8-11): Recipients met requirements by planning and reporting on a project, attending club meetings, and presenting a talk or exhibit.
Service Achievement (Ages 12-14): Recipients completed Project Achievement criteria and also served on a committee, participated in community service, and assisted with club activities.
Leadership Achievement (Ages 15-18): Recipients fulfilled Service Achievement criteria and also participated in county or state learning experiences, provided leadership, and helped organize programs.
Clover Awards
The Clover Awards recognize members based on their levels of achievement across various experiences:
Bronze Clover: Minimum of one experience in each of four dimensions.
Silver Clover: Minimum of two experiences per area, with two at the county level or beyond.
Gold Clover: Minimum of four experiences per area, with two beyond county level.
Diamond Clover: Minimum of six experiences in one area, with four beyond county level; recognized at a State Ceremony.
Emerald Clover: Minimum of eight experiences in one area, including state or national levels; recognized at a State Ceremony.
Award Recipients
Project Achievement
Bell Plain Hustlers: Ava Ehnis, Mace Miller, Milo Miller, Lucy Stivers, Ben Vinyard
Bennington Go-Getters: Kellen Conroy, Parker Flanigan, Miranda Foster, Kameron Kolb, Lily Lutz, Alexis Matter, Noah Miles
Henry Guys & Gals: Jackson Nauman
L-W Achievers: Aubrey Banuat, Avery Banuat, Hayden Baugh, Ryder Baugh, James Hohulin, Sandra Husseman,,Kallie Kennell
PC Progressors: James Alexander, Maddux Bell, Benjamin Calbow, Raylen Campbell, Garretson Dean, Shaw Dean, Hunter Heckman, Ike Heckman, Carter Keller, Kinzley Keller, Noah King, Madison Knapp, Reese Lenkaitis
Saratoga Leadaways: Amy Archuleta, Brecken Biggar, Josephine Heeley, Adalida Lindstrom, Declan Smith, Rory Smith
Steuben Rangers: Chase Hattan, Erika Irelan, Ben McGlasson, Madelyn Probyn, Avery Schaer
Wenona Highlighters: Beau Barrow, Everett Ijams, Henry Ijams,Indiana Zulz
Service Achievement
Bell Plain Hustlers: Emery Oglesby
Lostant Leaders: Lily Breckenridge
L-W Achievers: Evan Applen, Knox Kennell, Arianna Martin, Claire Peterson, Chloe Schoepke, Myles Stange
Saratoga Leadaways: Hayden Meachum
Steuben Rangers: Jacey Endress, Jack McGlasson, Kaitlyn Schaer
Leadership Achievement
Bell Plain Hustlers: Eliza Ehnis, Colton Ehnis, Anna Rinaldo, Joseph Vinyard, Gracie Vinyard
Henry Guys & Gals: Ryan Carlson
Steuben Rangers: Kiryn Schaer
Clover Awards
Bronze: Lilly Breckenridge, Lostant Leaders, Salina Breckenridge, Lostant Leaders, Avery Schaer, Steuben Rangers, Kaitlyn Schaer, Steuben Rangers, Kiryn Schaer, Steuben Rangers
Silver: Sarah Daugherty, Lostant Leaders, Josie Heeley, Saratoga Leadaways, Jackson Nauman, Henry Guys & Gals
Gold: Daphne Heeley, Saratoga Leadaways, Gwen Heeley, Saratoga Leadaways, Samantha Nauman, Henry Guys & Gals
Emerald: Ryan Carlson - Henry Guys & Gals
Cloverbud Graduates
Samuel Alexander, PC Progressors, Maverick Conroy, Bennington Go-Getters, Luke Decker, Wenona Highlighters, Lucas Grieve s, L-W Achievers, Annie Hall, Saratoga Leadaways, Austin Sepe, L-W Achievers, Riley Warner, Wenona Highlighters, Adylynn Weeks, PC Progressors
Club Awards and Special Recognition
Outstanding Secretary: Ryan Carlson
Best Kept Record Book: Junior - Madison Knapp, Senior - Ryan Carlson
Junior Leaders: Ryan Carlson, Henry Guys & Gals, Eli Brown, PC Progressors, Isabella Brown, PC Progressors, Jacob Brown, PC Progressors, Sarah Daugherty, Lostant Leaders, Rachel Eckert, Henry Guys & Gals, Kade Gensini, PC Progressors, McKlay Gensini, PC Progressors, Daphne Heeley, Saratoga Leadaways, Gwen Heeley Saratoga Leadaways, Makenzie Horton, PC Progressors, Waylon Lindstrom, Saratoga Leadaways, Hayden Meachum, Saratoga Leadaways, Samantha Nauman, Henry Guys & Gals, Claire Peterson, L-W Achievers, Kiryn Schaer, Steuben Rangers, Chloe Schoepke, L-W Achievers, Ryan Senko, PC Progressors, Myles Stange, L-W Achievers, Kendra Story, PC Progressors, Wesley Willoughby, PC Progressors
Leader Anniversaries and Parental Support
First year: Emily Alexander, PC Progressors Cloverbuds, Randi Kocher, Shooting Sports
John Heiser, Ag Judging Team Coach
Fifteen years: Kevin Knisley, Henry Guys & Gals
Special thanks to the following parents for their exceptional support: Rita Carlson, Henry Guys & Gals, Mandy Banuat, L-W Achievers, Breanne Baugh, L-W Achievers, Amanda Biggar, Saratoga Leadaways, Josh Biggar, Saratoga, Leadaways, Jennifer Campbell, PC Progressors, Matt Dean, PC Progressors, Meaghan Dean, PC Progressors, Darla Eckert, Henry Guys & Gals, Marina Endress, Steuben Rangers, Missy Fitschen, L-W Achievers, John Heiser, PC Progressors, Liz Keller, PC Progressors, Sarah Knapp, PC Progressors, Lindsey McGlasson, Steuben Rangers, Jen Nauman, Henry Guys & Gals, Bethany Salisbury, Saratoga Leadaways, Lauren Smith, Saratoga Leadaways, Sheri Stange, L-W Achievers
Spirit Stick Award
The Saratoga Leadaways were this year’s Spirit Stick winners for their creativity and teamwork.
Refreshments
The evening concluded with refreshments hosted by L-W Achievers and the Lostant Leaders. Congratulations to all 4-H members for their achievements this year!
To learn more about 4-H opportunities, contact the local Extension Program Coordinator, Anne Scheel, at amscheel@illinois.edu or 309-364-2356.
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.