That was the theme for this year’s Lincoln County 4-H Leaders’ Association, Inc. Annual Recognition Banquet held on Saturday, October 23rd at Pagels. Over 115 Lincoln County 4-H volunteers, members, friends and community supporters attended this year’s banquet. Members of the Hamburg Hawks 4-H Club hosted this year’s banquet. Duane Zamzow was the guest speaker sharing memories from his 4-H experience.
Suzanne Simon, a member of the Barnes Creek Buccaneers 4-H Club and Mathew Thistle, a member of the Merrill Busy Bees 4-H Club were the recipients of the 4-H Key Award. The award was presented by Mark Duley, representing Lincoln County Farm Bureau. For the 35th consecutive year the Key awards are being sponsored by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation and Rural Insurance Companies. The Key Award, the highest award given to 4-H members, recognizes those who have shown consistent growth in their 4-H program, who have developed their citizenship and leadership abilities, and who have been helpful members in their club and community.
Brenda Krueger, Steven Roets and Kassie Schepp, received the American Youth Foundation’s National Leadership Award, in recognition of personal integrity, balanced living and potential leadership. The National Leadership Award is presented each year by the American Youth Foundation (AYF) in cooperation with principals, counselors, county 4-H programs, and other organizations across the country. The award was first offered in 1941 by the late William H. Danforth, founder of the Ralston Purina Company in St. Louis, who challenged young people to achieve their highest potential and to influence others through lives of service. The award takes its name from the book, I Dare You, written by Danforth, in which he commends the balanced life of mental, physical, social and spiritual development as the backbone of leadership. In addition to a certificate of recognition each recipient received a copy of Danforth’s inspirational book, I Dare You, and an opportunity to apply for the “I Dare You” scholarship , which can be applied to the cost of the AYF’s Leadership Conference located in Michigan.
Eric Williams of the Rock Falls Rascals 4-H Club was presented with the Lincoln County 4-H Crowley Leadership Award for 2010. This awards program provides recognition to youth who have excelled in their dairy project. The James W. Crowley Dairy Management and Extension Fund is the sponsor of this award which is named in honor and memory of Crowley, longtime Extension Dairy Specialist and strong supporter of dairy youth projects. As a county winner, Eric received a commemorative engraved medallion and the chance to compete for state-level awards, including a chance to compete for two $500 scholarships that will be awarded for continuing dairy education. The state competition will consist of interviews conducted during the Wisconsin State Fair in August 2011.
In addition to this individual dairy award, the Merrill Busy Bees 4-H club was recognized for their efforts in promoting Wisconsin’s Dairy Industry. The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board awards 4-H clubs around the state for their efforts in promoting and celebrating June Dairy Month. A Certificate of Achievement was presented to the club for outstanding accomplishments in promoting Wisconsin Dairy Industry in Lincoln County.
There are 193 4-H Volunteer Leaders in Lincoln County who have given 1,740 years of service to the 4-H program. During the banquet we honored all of our 4-H Volunteers; project leaders, general leaders and board members for their commitment to the program. Those leaders, who have been involved for 1, 5 10, 15, 20, and 25 years, received recognition, pin and/or certificate at the banquet. This year’s recipients are as follows:
In 1990, the Fair Board initiated the annual recognition of two Outstanding Fair volunteers. This year the Outstanding Fair Volunteer Award was presented to Chris Hanson and Annie Wood. Chris was nominated for his many years serving on the Open Cultural Arts Department committee as well as his willingness to help wherever he is needed for the Lincoln County 4-H Fair. Annie Wood was nominated for her many years of volunteering with the county dog project group, including leading activities during weekly practice sessions and for her role in helping at the dog show during the fair to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Since 1963, the 4-H Leaders’ Association, Inc. has been recognizing two people, committees or organizations as “Friends of 4-H.” This year’s awards went to Schult Country Inn and Bone and Joint Center. Both of this year’s Friend of 4-H award recipients were nominated for the tremendous support they provide to individual 4-H’ers, the overall 4-H program and to the Lincoln County 4-H Fair each year.
The 4-H Program in Lincoln County continues to grow and change each year. Many of these changes are made possible with the help of the Lincoln County 4-H Ambassadors. They contribute an incredible amount of time and energy to the program; fundraising, emceeing, promoting and planning activities and events. The 2009-2010 Ambassadors and Ambassador Advisors were recognized for their considerable contributions. A big 4-H thank you goes out to last year’s Ambassadors, RaeAnn Brixius, Brittany Garrett, Myria Kludy, Alex Kreie, Erin Riddle, Steven Roets, Kelsey Schoeppler and Megan Spreeman. 4-H Ambassador Advisors, Kim Brixius, Rebecca Kludy, and Lori Lemke were also recognized for their leadership provided to this program.
Twelve youth who did an outstanding job on their 4-H Memory Books were recognized at this year’s banquet. The Memory Book is a fantastic way for youth to make a learning record of their year in the 4-H program and takes a considerable amount of time and effort on the part of the 4-H member. Congratulations to all those youth who put this effort into the program!
The Lincoln County 4-H program has been very active in the 2010 International programs. Each year Wisconsin hosts a delegation of 12-18 year old youth and chaperones from Japan and Korea. This year, 56 families participated in the program. Wisconsin 4-H and the National 4-H Japanese/Korean Exchange Committee would like to express their appreciation. The following Lincoln County youth and their families took part in the Japanese/Korean Exchange programs — Gronna Family, Schoeppler Family, Sondelski Family, and Walker Family. Hayley Schoeppler, a Lincoln County 4-H member, also traveled to Korea where she participated in the 2010 4-H/Korea Exchange Program.
Wisconsin 4-H also participates in the LEX Mexico Exchange. Twelve families’ hosted Mexican youth or chaperones for four weeks in 2010. This included the Schmidt family from Lincoln County.
4-H is a community of young people across Lincoln County who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. Youth in grades Kindergarten through 13 (one year after high school graduation) can join 4-H, regardless of where you live. More information about Lincoln County 4-H is available at the Lincoln County 4-H blog at http://fyi.uwex.edu/lincolncounty4h/ or by calling the UW-Extension office at 539-1072. Now is the perfect time to enroll your children and/or to become a volunteer.