4-H hosts Achievement Celebration

For the Farmer
Posted 12/8/17

Scotts Bluff County 4-H hosted its annual Achievement Celebration on Sunday, Nov. 5 at the University of Nebraska’s Panhandle Research and Extension Center here.

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4-H hosts Achievement Celebration

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SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. – Scotts Bluff County 4-H hosted its annual Achievement Celebration on Sunday, Nov. 5 at the University of Nebraska’s Panhandle Research and Extension Center here. The theme was “Far Out, Funky 4-H Achievement Fandango” and the purpose of the event was to celebrate the end of a successful 4-H year and to award and honor volunteers, leaders, and 4-H members. In addition, the 4-H Council for 2018 was elected at this event.
The 4-H Council, in collaboration with Extension staff, determines the needs of 4-H youth in the county and how to meet those needs. This is done through program planning, policy making, resource development, linkages within the program and in the community, and accountability. The volunteers who serve on the 4-H Council take on the roles and tasks to ensure that this 4-H program empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.
As per the Constitution and By-Laws of the 4-H Council, officers are elected by ballot at the 4-H Achievement event by 4-H membership at large to begin their term in January of the following year.
The 4-H Council members elected for 2018 are: President – Wendi Callenius, Vice-President – Patty Pittman, Secretary – Tanya Lake, Treasurer – Julie Lane, Youth Representatives – Alexis Souza and Autumn Pittman.

Youth award highlights include:
The I Dare You Leadership Award was first offered to young people in the United States in 1941 by William H. Danforth, founder of the Ralston Purina Company in St. Louis. He dared young people to achieve their highest potential and to influence others through lives of leadership and service. The I Dare You Award recognizes those who, with a little encouragement, are ready to see themselves as leaders—young adults who are ready to take the dare. Qualifying 4- H members are 16 to 18 years old by January 1 of the current year and have demonstrated personal integrity, lead well-rounded lives and possess a willingness to assume responsibility. They do not need to hold leadership positions currently but should be recognized by their peers and adults who work with them as emerging leaders.   Recipients get an award and a $200 college scholarship. This award was presented to Megan Rudy by    4-H Council Vice President Patty Pittman.
The 4-H Career Portfolio is the annual record-keeping system used by Nebraska Youth. It is a composite of all 4-H and non-4-H projects and activities throughout the individual’s 4-H career.  The overall portfolio winner recognizes two members at each level who have done an outstanding job in documenting their 4-H career. These members receive certificates and cash awards of $50 for 1st place and $25 for 2nd place. This year’s winners were:
1st Junior Division – Jessica Wilkinson; 2nd Junior Division – Ethan Bomberger; 1st Senior Division – Brilea Sinner; 2nd Senior Division – Autumn Pittman
Additional Career Portfolio Awards were presented as follows:
Junior Division Animal Science - Cacee Colson, Kristy Colson, Justin Keller, Laurence Keller, Sophia Pitts, Jarrett Shepperson, Justin Vance and Kathryn Vance; Junior Division Consumer and Family Science – Sheridan Lathrop and Justine Wilkinson; Junior Division Healthy Lifestyles – Gabriella Anderson; Senior Division Animal Science – Katie Colson, Clayton Haug, Elizabeth Shepperson and Alexis Souza; Senior Division Consumer & Family Science – Mirka Anguiano;

The Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover Program is designed to encourage 4-H youth to engage in a variety of projects and activities that will enable members to acquire the life skills necessary to lead successful lives as competent, caring and contributing citizens.  The program’s overall goal is to provide 4-H members a rich and diverse learning experience.
The program consists of six levels that require a 4-H member to plan and report a broad range of age appropriate accomplishments.  The program is designed to enable every 4-H member willing to exert the effort an opportunity to be recognized, regardless of how they are involved in 4-H.
Amethyst Clover pins were awarded to: Cacee Colson, Laurence Keller, Sheridan Lathrop and Jarrett Shepperson.
Aquamarine Clover pins were awarded to: Katie Colson, Kristy Colson, Justin Keller, Elizabeth Shepperson and Justine Wilkinson.
Ruby Clover pins were awarded to: Sophia Pitts, Autumn Pittman and Jessica Wilkinson.
To achieve the Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover Program’s highest honor, Diamond, a 4-H member must complete a major service-learning project that benefits their community. The project must be of lasting value and be large enough to be worthy of Diamond Clover recognition. It may take up to 24 months to complete this project. Alexis Souza was presented an award to recognize that she is working on the Diamond Clover Award.     
Often the appearance of animals at the county fair is the first impression the public has of 4-H and the livestock industry. The focus of good herdsmanship is teamwork, showing pride in their animal exhibits, and learning to pick-up and take care of the area. Herdsmanship also includes proper care of animals, making sure there is enough water and the pens are clean.  
A Herdsmanship Award is given to a club for excelling in these efforts. June Castillo, the 2017 4-H Herdsmanship Superintendent presented Herdsmanship awards in the following categories:
• Beef Herdsmanship was awarded to the Panhandle Livestock 4-H Club
• Sheep Herdsmanship was awarded to the Fairview 50 4-H Club
• Meat Goat Herdsmanship, Swine Herdsmanship and All Around Herdsmanship were all presented to the Just Kidding Around 4-H Club
The Tom Holman Spirit of 4-H Award is to honor the memory of Tom Holman, long-time Extension Educator in Scotts Bluff County. It is given to 4-H members in their first few years of membership who are trying out a variety of project areas, learn by doing, and show the true spirit of the 4-H program. This award was presented to Kyle Kizzire by Julie Lane, 4-H Council Secretary.
An award for Outstanding Rabbit and Poultry Club Member was presented to Devin Suhr by Jana Schwartz from the Scotts Bluff County Extension Office. Awards were also presented to all first year 4-H members, graduating senior 4-H members and Clover Kids. The Clover Kids are 4-Hers who are 5 to 7 years old and who participate in hands-on activities designed to build lots of different skills. This is a strictly non-competitive program with the emphasis on fun and learning.
Leaders are the foundation of the 4-H program. Leaders teach many important life skills, help youth learn by doing, voluntarily give of their caring and kind words and provide opportunities to succeed and fail in a safe environment. Special pins are awarded in five year intervals to volunteers who continue to be committed to the 4-H Program.  Receiving pins this year were:
Five years (silver pin) – Patricia Beals, Kaden Hubbard, Melissa Mosher, Catherine Reynolds, Cori Sherrod and Jason Wilkinson
Ten years (gold pin) – Julia Jacobs
Fifteen years (pearl pin) – Paul Callenius and Donna Jenne
Thirty years (ruby pin) - Val Baker
The Leaders of the Year Award recognizes an enrolled 4-H volunteer leader. This person or persons may be a club leader, project leader, special interest leader, community leader or a resource leader. Becky Ulrich was recognized as 4-H Leader of the Year for all of her time, hard work, contributions and support of 4-H. This award was presented by members of the 4-H Rabbit and Poultry
projects.
The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in giving service to the 4-H program. The recipient does not need to be an enrolled 4-H volunteer leader. This awarded was presented to June Castillo for her significant contributions to Scotts Bluff County 4-H by serving as superintendent of both the Awards Committee and the Herdsmanship Committee. Her service was greatly appreciated by 4-H members, volunteers and Extension Office staff.
The Friend of 4-H Award recognizes someone who has been a true friend in providing support to the 4-H program.  This award was presented by Wendi Callenius, 4-H Council President, to Scotts Bluff County Farm Bureau. Farm Bureau has provided generous support of the Scotts Bluff County 4-H program, including funds to pay for the online Quality Assurance Program for 4-H members and registration fees for the 4-H Robotics program. 4-H continues to be able to provide programming thanks to partners like Farm Bureau.