SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY – Scotts Bluff County 4-H held the annual Achievement Celebration on Sunday, December 6, 2020 virtually. The event is to celebrate the end of a successful 4-H year and to award and honor volunteers, leaders, and 4-H members and to elect the 4-H Council for 2021.

The 4-H Council, in collaboration with Extension staff, determines the needs of 4-H youth in Scotts Bluff County and the best way to meet them. 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 2021 are:

President – Julie Lane (Mitchell) 

Vice-President – Lucienne Keller (Lyman)

Secretary – Alexis Souza 

Treasurer – Rebecca Ulrich (Gering) 

Youth Representatives – Justin Keller (Lyman) and Autumn Pittman (Morrill) 

The Outstanding 4-H Member Award is the highest award a member can receive and is based on their activities and accomplishments in 4-H. One award is presented each year to a 4-H member who is 16 to 18 years of age by January 1 of the current year. The recipient receives a plaque and a $250 college scholarship. This award was presented to Jessica Splichal (Mitchell).

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. 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 their peers and adults who work with them recognize them as emerging leaders. Recipients receive an award and a $200 college scholarship.

The recipients of the I Dare You Award for
2020 are:

Katherine Colson (Bayard)

Autumn Pittman (Morrill)

 The 4-H Achievement Application 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. Completing project record books and the Achievement Application is one of the most important components of 4-H because knowing how to keep proper records and organize those records is a very important life skill to learn.

Junior Level awards are for members ages 8-14. Senior Level awards are for members ages 15-18.

Junior Achievement Application awards were
presented to:

Hunter Creech (Mitchell)

Sheridan Ferguson (Scottsbluff)

Abigail Joekel (Gering)

Marissa Joekel (Gering)

Laurence Keller (Lyman)

Emily Knouse (Melbeta)
Brecken Ricker (Yoder, WY)
Riley Ricker (Yoder, WY)

Jake Wilkinson (Morrill)

With the Achievement Application form, senior division members are eligible to apply to win a trip to represent Nebraska 4-H at National 4-H Congress, in Atlanta, Georgia or National 4-H Conference in Washington DC. National 4-H Congress is one of the premiere experiences for 4-H members. A mix of educational, service and recreational opportunities, National 4-H Congress provides a life-changing experience for youth to meet other 4-H members from across America, as they participate in educational workshops focusing on diversity, cultural experiences, leadership, and team development. 

Senior Achievement Application Awards were
presented to:

Gabriella Anderson (Mitchell)

Hailey Joekel (Gering)

Justin Keller (Lyman) 

Jessica Wilkinson (Morrill)
Justine Wilkinson (Morrill)

The overall portfolio award 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 first place and $25 for second place.

First place Junior Overall: Hunter Creech (Mitchell)

Second place Junior Overall: Sheridan Ferguson (Scottsbluff)

First place Senior Overall: Jessica Wilkinson (Morrill)

Second place Senior Overall: Gabriella Anderson (Mitchell)

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. 

Level 5 – Emerald winners must accomplish at least seven requirements that require more 4-H event involvement and evidence of high leadership skills. 

An Emerald
Clover pins was
presented to:

Autumn Pittman (Morrill)

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.  Herdsmanship awards are given to 4-H Clubs and individual 4-H members for excelling in these efforts.

Club Herdsmanship Awards were
presented to: 

Beef Herdsmanship Award: Panhandle Livestock 4-H Club – Leader Lanna Hubbard (Mitchell)

Meat Goat Herdsmanship Award: Four L 4-H Club – Leader Cindy Schmidt (Minatare) 

Sheep Herdsmanship Award: Fairview 50 4-H Club – Leader Kate Schmer (Minatare)

Swine Herdsmanship Award: Code Valley 4-H Club – Leader Michele Kuxhausen (Scottsbluff)

Dairy Goat / Fiber Award: Just Kidding Around 4-H Club – Leader Carolyn Thomas (Scottsbluff)

All-Around Herdsmanship Award: Just Kidding Around 4-H Club – Leader Carolyn Thomas (Scottsbluff)

Individual 4-H members recognized for excellence in herdsmanship: 

Code Valley 4-H Club: Kamarah Stout (Gering)

Fairview 50 4-H Club: Madison Engel (Minatare)

Just Kidding Around 4-H Club: Jessica Wilkinson (Morrill)

Mitchell Valley 4-H Club: Maddie Brown (Scottsbluff)

Panhandle Livestock 4-H Club: Addie Randall (Gering)

The Horsemanship Advancement Levels program is designed to serve as a guide for instruction and evaluation of each member’s progress. The correct handling of horses is emphasized from the beginning to the most advanced level. Each level has emphases to assist in developing 4-H member’s self-discipline, patience, self-reliance, responsibility, and pride of accomplishments.

Level One - Cali Treffer (Scottsbluff) and Brecken Ricker (Yoder, Wyo.) 

Level Two - Natalie Zeiler (Minatare) and Clara Heldt (Scottsbluff) 

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 who have tried a variety of projects, have really practiced that they learn by doing and showed a true spirit of the 4-H program. This award was presented to Hunter Creech (Mitchell) and Memphis Erdman (Lyman).

The New Horizons 4-H Award is given to a young volunteer who is a recent 4-H alumni. 4-H has made an impact on their lives, so they have decided to give back to the program as volunteers and are already making a difference in the 4-H program. The New Horizons award was presented to Casey Huckfeldt (Gering). 

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: 

Five (5) Years - Silver Pin

Natalie Creech (Mitchell) – Sew Cool 4-H Club 

Laura Leggott (Gering) – 5H – Homeschool Club 

Bonnie Woolsey (Gering) – Rabbit Hopping 4-H Club 

Ten (10) Years - Gold Pin

Chris Cannon (Morrill) – Bit & Spur 4-H Club

Stephanie Cannon (Morrill) – Bit & Spur 4-H Club

Jennifer Krahulik (Lyman) – Just Kidding Around 4-H Club

Fifteen (15) Years - Pearl Pin
Thomas Jenne (Gering) – Rounders 4-H Club 

Fifty (50) Years – Rudy Pin

Joan Coker (Scottsbluff) – Puppy Lovers 4-H Club

The Leader 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. Paul Callenius (Scottsbluff) was recognized as 4-H Leader of the Year for his time, hard work, contributions and support of 4-H as the leader of the Puppy Lovers 4-H Club, Scotts Bluff County 4-H Council and Scotts Bluff/Morrill County Extension Board. 

The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding volunteers whose unselfish and dedicated service made a significant contribution to the 4-H program. The recipient does not need to be an enrolled 4-H volunteer leader. This award was presented to Mike Esselstein (Mitchell) for his outstanding support of the 4-H rabbit program.

Clover Kids, first year 4-H members and graduating senior 4-H members were also recognized. Clover Kids are 4-Hers who are 5 to 7 years old and who participate in hands-on activities designed to build many different skills. This is a strictly non-competitive program with the emphasis on fun and learning.

Scotts Bluff County 4-H would like to thank the 4-H Achievement Committee: Paul and Wendi Callenius, Julie Lane, Tanya Madsen, Patty Pittman, Jana Schwartz, Alexis Souza, and Juanita Baker for all their work to make this event happen. Special thanks also to Paul Callenius for serving as the emcee for the program.

Contact: Jana Schwartz, UNL Extension 4-H and Youth Assistant, Scotts Bluff County, jschwartz2@unl.edu