JOLIET, Ill — University of Illinois Extension in Will County recently announced the 2025 youth award recipients for the 2024-25 program year.
“At the end of the year, we want to take time to recognize 4-H members and volunteers for their outstanding contributions during the past 4-H year,” said Brittney Muschetto-DePatis, 4-H youth development educator serving Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties. “Recognition and awards have always been an important part of 4-H. From the earliest days of 4-H record books to the more versatile applications of today, we want to take time to recognize the accomplishments of our county’s young people.”
Award recipients in Will County were recognized at the Will County Awards Night in November. “We want to extend thanks to the Will County 4-H Federation and Dave Mills for their support in making the night so impactful for local 4-H members,” said Chloe Nelson-VanMiddlesworth, 4-H program coordinator in Will County. “We want to congratulate all of our award recipients as they continue to make the best better every day.”
2025 Award recipients are:
Outstanding Secretary Award:
Samantha Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Outstanding Treasurer Award:
Logan Burmaster - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Individual Award recipients:
Certificate of Participation
Josephine Estrada - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Truely Molitor - Prairie 4-H
Lillian Nugent - Willing Wilton Workers
Certificate of Progress
Logan Burmaster - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Annalise Estrada - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Caleb Estrada - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Angela Gutierrez - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Joleigh Hacko - Prairie 4-H
Madison Hundley - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Reese Hundley - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Ava Jones - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Ella Jones - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Morgan Lukas - Willing Wilton Workers
Lucas Makowski - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Elena Mason - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Caleb Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Truely Molitor - Prairie 4-H
Lillian Nugent - Willing Wilton Workers
Douglas Schreurs - Prairie 4-H
Caleb Sturm - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Joel Sturm - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Leah Sturm - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Kenzie Thompson - Lockport Loyal 4-H
Lucius Wilcox - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Alayna Weekly - Prairie 4-H
Certificate of Merit
Easton Barney - Willing Wilton Workers
Veronica Boyer - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Autumn Burdick - Prairie 4-H
Sera Dusek - Lockport Loyal 4-Hers
Benjamin Floyd - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Jacob Floyd - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Austin Hundley - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Ashley Hundley - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Corin Leyburn - Prairie 4-H
Lillian Makowski - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Charlotte Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Henry Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Chloe Miller - Will County Saddle Club
Emily Pierce - Prairie 4-H
Henry Reus - Willing Wilton Workers
Sophia Rog - Lockport Loyal 4-Hers
Elizabeth Schreurs - Prairie 4-H
Benjamin Simanis - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Lyra Wilcox - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Rosemary Widinski - Willing Wilton Workers
Certificate of Achievement
Brooklyn Barney - Willing Wilton Workers
Alexandra Bruinius - Willing Wilton Workers
Vanessa Edler - Willing Wilton Workers
Abigail Henning - Prairie 4-H
Allison Jacobs - Willing Wilton Workers
Emily Jacobs - Willing Wilton Workers
Josiah Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Samantha Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Emily Rog - Lockport Loyal 4-Hers
Matthew Selucky - Prairie 4-H
Brooke Simanis - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Special Achievement Award
Avrey Edler - Willing Wilton Workers
Peter Widinski - Willing Wilton Workers
Cloverbud Award recipients:
Cloverbud Award
Emelia Broholm - 4-H 4ALL
Lillian Braasch - Prairie 4-H
Cole Connolly - Will County Saddle Club
Ivy Cryer - Will County Saddle Club
Maverick Ewart - Prairie 4-H
Max Gnade - 4-H 4ALL
Bennett Lavelle - 4-H 4ALL
Nathan Leamy - 4-H 4ALL
Gabriel LaMie - Prairie 4-H
Peter Morrelle - Prairie 4-H
Maggie Nugent - Willing Wilton Workers
Aidan Ramirez - Prairie 4-H
Emma Siefker - Prairie 4-H
Wyatt Siefker - Prairie 4-H
Hendrix Toepper - Prairie 4-H
Pierce Valentino - Prairie 4-H
Amelia Webb - Prairie 4-H
Everett Webb - Prairie 4-H
Charles Zigtema - Prairie 4-H
Elliott Zigtema - Prairie 4-H
Outstanding Cloverbud Award
Allison Baine - Prairie 4-H
Charlie Braasch - Prairie 4-H
Caleb Floyd - Wesley Hustlin' Cloverbuds
Harper Graf - Prairie 4-H
Hunter Graf - Prairie 4-H
Leah Halvorson - Prairie 4-H
Grace Henning - Prairie 4-H
Caroline Merkel - Wesley Hustlin' Cloverbuds
Harper Reus - Willing Wilton Workers
Daphne Zigtema - Prairie 4-H
Deegan Zigtema - Prairie 4-H
Cloverbud Graduates
Emelia Broholm - 4-H 4ALL
Caleb Floyd - Wesley Hustlin' Cloverbuds
Max Gnade - 4-H 4ALL
Gabriel LaMie - Prairie 4-H
Bennett Lavelle - 4-H 4ALL
Maggie Nugent - Willing Wilton Workers
Aidan Ramirez - Prairie 4-H
Amelia Webb - Prairie 4-H
Project Awards:
Career & Leadership Development
Pin
Veronica Boyer - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Lucius Wilcox - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Certificate
Allison Jacobs - Willing Wilton Workers
Emily Jacobs - Willing Wilton Workers
Animal Science
Pin
Angela Gutierrez - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Joleigh Hacko - Prairie 4-H
Morgan Lukas - Willing Wilton Workers
Josiah Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Lillian Nugent - Willing Wilton Workers
Douglas Schures - Prairie
Alayna Weekley - Prairie 4-H
Certificate
Alexandra Bruinius - Willing Wilton Workers
Autumn Burdick - Prairie 4-H
Avrey Elder - Willing Wilton Workers
Abigail Henning - Prairie 4-H
Lillian Makowski - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Henry Reus - Willing Wilton Workers
Elizabeth Schreurs - Prairie 4-H
Mathew Selucky - Prairie 4-H
Civic Engagement
Pin
Logan Burmaster - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Caleb Estrada - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Josephine Estrada - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Ava Jones - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Ella Jones - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Morgan Lukas - Willing Wilton Workers
Elena Mason - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Truely Molitor - Prairie 4-H
Douglas Schreurs - Prairie 4-H
Brooke Simanis - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Leah Sturm - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Lucius Wilcox - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Certificate
Brooklyn Barney - Willing Wilton Workers
Easton Barney - Willing Wilton Workers
Autumn Burdick - Prairie 4-H
Avrey Edler - Willing Wilton Workers
Vanessa Edler - Willing Wilton Workers
Abigail Henning - Prairie 4-H
Allison Jacobs - Willing Wilton Workers
Emily Jacobs - Willing Wilton Workers
Chloe Miller - Will County Saddle Club
Emily Pierce - Prairie 4-H
Henry Reus - Willing Wilton Workers
Matthew Selucky - Prairie 4-H
Peter Widinski - Willing Wilton Workers
Rosemary Widinski - Willing Wilton Workers
Creative and Cultural Arts
Pin
Annalise Estrada - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Caleb Estrada - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Angela Gutierrez - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Ashley Hundley - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Reese Hundley - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Lucas Makowski - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Elena Mason - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Sophia Rog - Lockport Loyal 4-Hers
Brooke Simanis - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Lucius Wilcox - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Alayna Weekly - Prairie 4-H
Certificate
Brooklyn Barney - Willing Wilton Workers
Easton Barney - Willing Wilton Workers
Alexandra Bruinius - Willing Wilton Workers
Autumn Burdick - Prairie 4-H
Sera Dusek - Lockport Loyal 4-Hers
Avrey Elder - Willing Wilton Workers
Vanessa Edler - Willing Wilton Workers
Abigail Henning - Prairie 4-H
Allison Jacobs - Willing Wilton Workers
Emily Jacobs - Willing Wilton Workers
Corin Leyburn - Prairie 4-H
Lillian Makowski - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Samantha Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Chloe Miller - Will County Saddle Club
Emily Pierce - Prairie 4-H
Henry Reus - Willing Wilton Workers
Emily Rog - Lockport Loyal 4-Hers
Elizabeth Schreurs - Prairie 4-H
Matthew Selucky - Prairie 4-H
Kenzie Thompson - Lockport Loyal 4-Hers
Lyra Wilcox - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Environment Sciences
Pin
Jacob Floyd - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Caleb Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Benjamin Simanis - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Joel Sturm - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Certificate
Alexandra Bruinius - Willing Wilton Workers
Samantha Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Peter Widinski - Willing Wilton Workers
Rosemary Widinski - Willing Wilton Workers
Exploritory
Pin
Caleb Sturm - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Shooting Sports
Certificate
Corin Leyburn - Prairie 4-H
Gardening, Agriculture, and Food Access
Pin
Annalise Estrada - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Josephine Estrada - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Lucas Makowski - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Certificate
Easton Barney - Willing Wilton Workers
Vanessa Edler - Willing Wilton Workers
Lillian Makowski - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Emily Rog - Lockport Loyal 4-Hers
Elizabeth Schreurs - Prairie 4-H
Mathew Selucky - Prairie 4-H
Lyra Wilcox - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Healthy Living
Pin
Veronica Boyer - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Joleigh Hacko - Prairie 4-H
Ashley Hundley - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Madison Hundley - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Sophia Rog - Lockport Loyal 4-Hers
Benjamin Simanis - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Certificate
Brooklyn Barney - Willing Wilton Workers
Autumn Burdick - Prairie 4-H
Abigail Henning - Prairie 4-H
Corin Leyburn - Prairie 4-H
Lillian Makowski - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Emily Rog - Lockport Loyal 4-Hers
Kenzie Thompson - Lockport Loyal 4-Hers
Peter Widinski - Willing Wilton Workers
STEM
Pin
Benjamin Floyd - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Austin Hundley - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Morgan Lukas - Willing Wilton Workers
Caleb Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Charlotte Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Henry Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Josiah Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Benjamin Simanis - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Certificate
Alexandria Bruinius - Willing Wilton Workers
Autumn Burdick - Prairie 4-H
Abigail Henning - Prairie 4-H
Corin Leyburn - Prairie 4-H
Chloe Miller - Will County Saddle Club
Mathew Selucky - Prairie 4-H
Peter Widinski - Willing Wilton Workers
Rosemary Widinski - Willing Wilton Workers
Leadership Awards:
Brooklyn Barney - Willing Wilton Workers
Veronica Boyer - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Alexandra Bruinius - Willing Wilton Workers
Logan Burmaster - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Avrey Edler - Willing Wilton Workers
Vanessa Edler - Willing Wilton Workers
Benjamin Floyd - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Jacob Floyd - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Abigail Henning - Prairie 4-H
Madison Hundley - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Allison Jacobs - Willing Wilton Workers
Emily Jacobs- Willing Wilton Workers
Lucas Makowski - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Charlotte Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Henry Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Josiah Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Samantha Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Henry Reus - Willing Wilton Workers
Elizabeth Schreurs - Prairie 4-H
Matthew Selucky - Prairie 4-H
Benjamin Simanis - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Brooke Simanis - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Leah Sturm - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Peter Widinski - Willing Wilton Workers
My Experience Award
Bronze
Abigail Henning - Prairie 4-H
Emily Rog - Lockport Loyal 4-Hers
Sophia Rog - Lockport Loyal 4-Hers
Silver
Logan Burmaster - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Caleb Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Gold
Autumn Burdick - Prairie 4-H
Benjamin Floyd - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Charlotte Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Henry Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Samantha Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers
Chloe Miller - Will County Saddle Club
Brooke Simanis - New Lenox 4-H Explorers
Emerald
Alexandra Bruinius - Willing Wilton Workers - Project Learning
Avery Edler - Willing Wilton Workers - Project Learning
Vanessa Edler - Willing Wilton Workers - Project Learning
Jacob Floyd - Wesley 4-H Hustlers - Leadership
Allison Jacobs - Willing Wilton Workers - Project Learning
Emily Jacobs - Willing Wilton Workers - Project Learning
Morgan Lukas - Willing Wilton Workers - Project Learning
Josiah Merkel - Wesley 4-H Hustlers - Project Learning
Henry Reus - Willing Wilton Workers - Project Learning
Benjamin Simanis - New Lenox 4-H Explorers - Project Learning
Peter Widinski - Willing Wilton Workers - Project Learning
Rosemary Widinski - Willing Wilton Workers - Project Learning
For more information about 4-H in your county, visit go.illinois.edu/About4HGKW
WRITER: Anthony Warmack, communications coordinator, Illinois Extension
SOURCE: Chloe Nelson-VanMiddlesworth, 4-H program 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.