PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. – Through 4-H, youth learn leadership skills and can explore their interests through projects during the 4-H year. Achievement night is an opportunity to recognize 4-H club members and volunteers for all of their accomplishments.

The evening kicked off by recognizing 4-H clubs that achieved at least 11 out of the 14 standard requirements to receive the club achievement award. Those honored were:

Area 51, Blue Ribbon Go-Getters, Buckeyes, Indians/Clover Kids, Lucky Clovers, Federation and Perry County Panthers.

4-H International Activity Award
The 4-H International Activity Award is given to clubs that participate in the Passport Party. Those honored were:

The Clover Leaf, Lucky Clovers, Blue Ribbon Go-Getters, Perry County Panthers, Indians/Clover Kids, Buckeyes, Mulkeytown Panthers of Franklin County, and Clover Hunters of Williamson County.

President’s Award/Vice President’s Award
The President’s Award and Vice President’s Award is given to members who take on the responsibility of a leadership role within their club. Those honored with the President’s Award for their club included:

Jayden Clark, Corra Gilliam, Lydia Kocain, Abbey Luthy, and Allison Szostak

Those honored with the Vice President’s Award for their club were:

Margo Dudek, Addi Leonard, Kaitlyn Rains, Sarah Restoff, and Steven Still

In addition, Leah Bathon and Dani Marks were given the Secretary’s Award and William Szostak was given the Treasurer’s Award. Taking home the Scrapbook Award was the Buckeyes 4-H Club. This year the clubs did a poster contest at Perry County Marketplace during National 4-H Week. The Lucky Clovers club was honored for their poster display.

Club Leader Recognition
Adult volunteers and leaders were recognized for their part in making Perry County 4-H programs and clubs a success. Among those honored were Mike and Jane Chapman who served in a mentor leadership capacity after contributing 36 years of service to 4-H youth development programming. Additional honorees were:

Angela Bathon, Nathan Bauersachs, Christina Braun, Courtney Bullock, Andrea Choate, Sally Cook, Mij Dearmond, Willie Dearmond, Amanda Duvardo, David Epplin, Susan Epplin, Bonnie Gill, Karen Glynn,Beverly Harsy, Don Harsy, Darin Hicks, Erica Hicks, Haven Hicks, Anthony Kellerman, Kara Kellerman, Christina Kocian, Hannah Kocian, Lindsey Kroeger, Andrea Luthy, Kally Mayo, Jon McClurken, Mary Jo Novak, David Opp, Valerie Opp, Krista Piotrowski, Lori Schmidt, Pete Spitler, Pam Swallers, and Becky Tracy.

Junior Leader Recognition
Junior leaders were recognized for stepping up and taking on additional responsibilities, helping with 4-H Federation and county activities. Youth recognized were:

Anna Bathon, Leah Bathon, Emily Bender, Isla Calderon, Jayden Clark, Tucker Dearmond, Margo Dudek, Chase Heinemeyer, Kaleb Kellerman, Lydia Kocian, Abigail Luthy, Dani Marks, Ty McIntyre, Jenna Opp, Bailey Pearl, Shelby Pearl, Shea Pyatt, Sarah Restoff, Travis Schwarz, Trenton Schwarz, Steven Still, Allison Szostak, and Mackenna Wesseln.

Experience Award
The Experience Award offers recognition for members who participate in activities and events throughout the program year. Members are recognized for their experience in the areas of participation, leadership, community service and project learning.

Bronze Medal Winners- Mason Buschschulte, Francis Calderon, Jayden Clark, Margo Dudek, Lexi Farmer, Hailey Grab, Braxton Kelly, Addison Leonard, Allison Leonard, Dani Marks, Aubree Specogni, Travis Schwarz, Trenton Schwarz, Michael Sizemore, Bruce Still, and Harrison Still.

Silver Medal Winners- Anna Bathon, Leah Bathon, Isla Calderon, Tucker Dearmond, Cody Epplin, James Epplin,  Chase Heinemeyer, Avery Kellerman, Kaleb Kellerman, Tate Logan, Mya McIntyre, Cooper McIntyre, Ty McIntyre, Madilyn Nagel, Jenna Opp Miner Pyatt, Shea Pyatt, Brody Schrader, Steven Still, Dayton Wesseln, and Mackenna Wesseln.

Gold Medal Winners- Corra Gilliam, Lydia Kocian, Abigail Luthy, Bailey Pearl, Shelby Pearl,  Kaitlyn Rains, Sarah Restoff, and Wyatt Robinson.

Those who received the top bronze, silver and gold member designation received a $100 scholarship to be used at 4-H camp, Illini Summer Academies or any other youth leadership conference within the next year. Scholarship recipients included:

Addison and Allison Leonard (bronze), Avery Kellerman (silver) and Bailey Pearl (gold).

Additional medal award winners included: Isla Calderon (Communications), Baily Pearl (Leadership), Shelby Pearl (Project Mastery), Sarah Restoff (Personal Growth), Mackenna Wesslen (Community Service).

The Illinois 4-H Foundation provides alumni medals for 4-H alumni who have achieved success in their professional and/or personal lives. Paige Epplin was honored with the Alumni Award Medal.

Cloverbuds
The youngest members were also recognized for their participation in 4-H. Perry County Cloverbud members are, Oaklyn Bernhard, Avery Buschschulte, Harvey Choate Abram Davison, Abigail Epplin, Harper Giacomo, Clara Mathis, Henry Hill, Lucas Porter, Adam Quinn, Memphis Ramsey, Summer Ramsey, Jameson Rathert, Henry Simon, Stephen Simon, Peyton Specogni, Robert Still, Brielle Suhr, and Eva Wildermuth.

Larry Paszkiewicz Horticulture Award
Perry County HCE along with Perry County 4-H started a Larry Paszkiewicz Horticulture Award in behalf of Joyce Kirkpatrick, who sponsored this award. To earn this award, members must take a Horticulture or Floriculture project, do a community service project in the area, showcase leadership in this area, and must show at the county show. Steven Still was this year’s awardee.

To learn more about how to get involved with 4-H in your community, visit 4h.extension.illinois.edu.

WRITER: Helen Parks, marketing and communications staff, helenmp@illinois.edu (618) 357-2126

SOURCE: Rhonda Shubert, 4-H program coordinator, rkshuber@illinois.edu, (618) 357-2126