SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. – Scotts Bluff County 4-H held the annual Achievement Celebration on Sunday, November 4, 2018 at the University of Nebraska’s Panhandle Research and Extension Center. The Hawaiian themed event was held 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 2019 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 2019 are President – Paul Callenius (Scottsbluff), Vice-President – Lucienne Keller (Lyman), Secretary – Tanya Lake (Morrill), Treasurer – Julie Lane (Mitchell), Youth Representatives Autumn Pittman (Morrill) and Justin Keller (Lyman).

Youth award highlights include:

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. Alexis Souza (Morrill) is the recipient of this award for 2018.

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

The recipients of the I Dare You Award for 2018 are Angela Arriaga (Scottsbluff), Teagan Flick (Morrill), Allyson Gion (Scottsbluff) and Katelan Rogers (Lyman), 

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 are:

1st Place Junior Division (Communications & Expressive Arts, Science & Technology) – Justin Keller (Lyman)

2nd Place Junior Division (Animal Science) – Ethan Bomberger (Pine Bluffs, WY)

1st Place Senior Division (Animal Science) – Jessica Wilkinson (Morrill)

2nd Place Senior Division (Leadership & Citizenship) – Autumn Pittman (Morrill)

Additional Career Portfolio Awards awarded:

Junior Division Animal Science – Malissa Armstrong (Scottsbluff), Laurence Keller (Lyman), MacCormick Riesen (Minatare), Justin Vance (Minatare), Jake Wilkinson (Morrill)

Junior Division Consumer & Family Science – Emily Knouse (Melbeta), Sheridan Lathrop (Scottsbluff), Justine Wilkinson (Morrill)

Junior Division Healthy Lifestyles, Communications & Expressive Arts - Gabriella Anderson (Mitchell)

Senior Division Animal Science – Katie Colson (Bayard), Addison Lashley (Mitchell), Kathryn Vance (Minatare)

Senior Division Consumer & Family Science - Mirka Anguiano (Bayard)

Senior Division Citizenship & Leadership, Communications & Expressive Arts - Alexis Souza (Morrill). 

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.

An Amethyst Clover pin awarded to Jake Wilkinson (Morrill)

Aquamarine Clover pins awarded to Laurence Keller (Lyman), Addison Lashley (Mitchell) and Sheridan Lathrop (Scottsbluff)

Ruby Clover pins awarded to Justin Keller (Lyman) and Justine Wilkinson (Morrill)

Sapphire Clover pins awarded to Mirka Anguiano (Bayard), Autumn Pittman (Morrill) and Jessica Wilkinson (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.   

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

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

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

Swine Herdsmanship Award - Four L 4-H Club – Leader Cindy Schmidt (Minatare) 

Individual 4-H members recognized for excellence in herdsmanship are: Priscilla Alfaro (Scottsbluff), Jacque Bowles (Scottsbluff), Clayton Haug (Pine Bluffs, WY), James Klemp (Gering), Joslyn Paben (McGrew), Kate Pieper (Mitchell), Emma Robbins (Morrill), Hayden Schmer (Minatare), Katie Vance (Minatare), and Madyson Tarr (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 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 Mirka Anguiano (Bayard).

 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 Luis Cordova (Scottsbluff). 

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 years (silver pin) - Katherine Esselstein (Mitchell Valley 4-H Club), Jacqueline Hartman (North Stars 4-H Club), Brooke Heine (Mitchell Valley Rabbit Hopping Club), Steve Mount (Western Nebraska Shooting Sports), Jarrett Ratliff and Kelly Ratliff (Scotts Bluff County Shooters) and Julie Wilkinson (Just Kidding Around 4-H Club)

Ten years (gold pin) - Chris Cannon (Bit & Spur 4-H Club)

Twenty years (diamond pin) - Dustan Keener (Mitchell Valley 4-H Club)

Special recognition for over thirty years of 4-H leadership: Juanita Baker, Val Baker and Corlyus Treffer (Bit & Spur 4-H Club), Sandra Sue Suhr (Scotts Bluff County Shooters 4-H Club) 

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. Natalie Creech (Mitchell) was recognized as 4-H Leader of the Year for all of her time, hard work, contributions and support of 4-H as the leader of the Sew Cool 4-H Club. 

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 Lucienne, Justin and Laurence Keller (Morrill) and to Jessie Lopez (Scottsbluff) received this award for 2018. 

The Friend of 4-H Award recognizes someone who has been a true friend in providing significant support to the 4-H program.  Friend of 4-H Awards were presented to Donna Garl (Mitchell) and to Lorna Davis (Gering). 

First year 4-H members, graduating senior 4-H members and Clover Kids received awards.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.

Scotts Bluff County 4-H would like to thank the Achievement Committee – Julie Lane, Wendi Callenius, Paul Callenius, Tanya Lake, Patty Pittman, Autumn Pittman, Alexis Souza, and Jana Schwartz and the 4-H Junior Leaders Club for all of their work to make this event happen. Special thanks to Paul Callenius for serving as the emcee for the program and to Lucienne Keller for taking photos.  Look for more photos in future editions of The Business Farmer.