SPARTA, Ill.— Achievement night is an opportunity to recognize 4-H club members and volunteers for all of their accomplishments. This year’s event highlighted some of the youth in our community for the work they have done over the past year.
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 the Country Crusaders, Prairie Schooners, Ruma Roadrunners, Scotland Raiders and Wine Hill Toppers.
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 Harris Ehlers Levi Kurtz, Matthew Koester, Rosemary Schultheis and Jared Stefani.
Those honored with the Vice President’s Award for their club were Grace Koester, Kyron Penny, Alexis Mudd, Jared Phillips, Bella Restoff and Riley Smith.
In addition, Adrienne Carril was given the Secretary’s Award and Jared Phillips was given the Treasurer’s Award.
The Randolph County 4-H Handbook Cover Winner was Nickole Weber and the Scotland Raiders took home first place for their National 4-H Week window display.
Club Leader Recognition
Adult volunteers and leaders were recognized for their part they plan in making Randolph County 4-H programs and clubs a success. Among those honored was Donna McBride who has contributed 37 years of service to 4-H youth development programming. Additional honorees included:
Julie Bierman, Ruth Casten, Diane Ehlers, Hannah Ehlers, Clifford Harms, Michele Hubert, Sarah Koester, Allana Lehde, Stephanie Maddox, Courtney McBride, Janice Phillips, Alan Piel, Matt Mevert, Christine Smith, Tracy Stefani, Ann Sullivan and Tammy Wahl.
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:
Adrienne Carril, Harris Ehlers, Zack Houghlan, Michael Hubert, David Koester, Grace Koester, Matthew Koester, Levi Kurtz, Peyton Manker, Rylie Manker, Kyron Penny, Chase Smith, Riley Smith, Sara Stefani, Elissa Wilkey
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- Carly Carril, Logan Lehde, Logan Shaw, Jared Stefani
Silver Medal Winners- Loughlyn Kurtz, Sara Stefani, Nickole Weber
Gold Medal Winners- Adrienne Carril, David Koester, Matthew Koester, Levi Kurtz, Bella Restoff, Elissa Wilkey, Tyson Wilkey
Emerald Medal Winners- Alaina Smith, Chase Smith, Riley Smith
Those who received the top bronze, silver, gold and emerald member designation received a $150 scholarship to be used at 4-H camp, Illini Summer Academies or any other youth leadership conference within the next year. Scholarship recipients included
Logan Shaw (bronze), Nickole Weber (silver), Elissa Wilkey (gold) and Riley Smith (emerald).
Additional medal award winners for the evening’s ceremony included: Elissa Wilkey (communications), Adrienne Carril (leadership), Alaina Smith (personal growth), Chase Smith (project mastery) and Riley Smith (community service).
Those receiving their alumni pin and moving to alumni status included Carly Carril, Katelyn Hamilton, Skylar Manker, Ashley Mullins and Conner Stewart.
Cloverbuds
The youngest members were also recognized for their participation in 4-H. Randolph County Cloverbud members are Annie Buchheit, Colton Coffey, Peyton Coffey, Carter Davitz, Josie Hahn, Kelly Hahn, Lawson Kurtz, Lilyan Lehde, Addelyn Mehring, Emily Mehring, Dominic Passini, Liam Renner, Micah Sattler and Paige Smith.
4-H empowers young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime. Through 4-H, youth complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and citizenship in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Who do you know that could benefit from 4-H? Join today at: https://4h.extension.illinois.edu/join-4-h.
News Source: Rhonda Shubert, 618-443-4364, rkshuber@illinois.edu
News Writer: Heather Willis, 618-357-2126, hdwillis@illinois.edu