Recipients recognized during Marshall-Putnam 4-H Achievement Night

On Sunday, Nov. 8, the University of Illinois Extension Marshall-Putnam honored 4-H’ers from throughout Marshall and Putnam counties to celebrate a year of hard work, leadership and dedication to personal growth.

The Recognition of Excellence awards are the largest group of awards handed out. A 4-H’er earns that honor through the work they do in their 4-H club and additional service and leadership work at the county level. The award areas are project, service and leadership.

Project Achievement recipients are: Bell Plain Hustlers: Jolene Bobinski; Bennington Go-Getters: Rachel Cook, Laura Jaquet, Clayton Klehm, Logan Nenne, Jordan Smith and Myka Stutzman; Henry Guys & Gals: Athena Lindstrom and Abbie Stanbary; Lostant Leaders: Cody Anderson, Leah Anderson, Salina Breckenridge, Landon Mertel, Caden Mertes, Meleah Mertes, Sydney Miller, Makayla Ritko, James Smith, Cohen Urbanowski and Kaleb Urbanowski; L-W Achievers: Alexis Beltramea, Lucas Bernardi, Katie Bond, Keally Braman, Jenna Eilts and Braiden Steffen; PC Progressors: Mikenna Boyd, Erin Brooker, Sophia Brown, Rachel Ely, Emelia Grant, Kalyn Grant, Sarah Johnson, Abigail Koester, Nick Mattern Jentsie Petersen, Renae Ramey, Ashlyn Serrine, Paige Terando and Isaac Wujek; Saratoga Leadaways: Ella Bergfeld and Erin Hufnagel; Steuben Rangers: Conner Blunier, Colton Blunier, Leena Denham, Ryker Ewing, Susannah Poeppel, Peyton Reyes, Jacob Streitmatter and Christina Wier; and Wenona Highlighters: Jared Connell, Justin Janssen, Alisa Lionberger, Elianna Ludwig, Ava Marty, Collin Morris, Serina Olson, Cassidy Petrimoulx and Jersey Simmons.

In order for a 4-H member to receive the Project Achievement Award they must establish plans for a project and report on the project to the leader, attend at least two-thirds of club meetings, and give a talk, demonstration or make and exhibit.

Service Achievement recipients are: Bell Pain Hustlers: Lilah Bobinski and Mikel McQuilkin; Bennington Go-Getters: Malika Ralston and Faith Theesfield; Henry Guys & Gals: Lillian Hentchel; L-W Achievers: Karissa Barth, Taylor Hofstatter, Trent Hofstatter, Jerica Kull, Makenna Warnkes, Kaden White, Nathan Woodward and Levi Zulz; PC Progressors: Molly Boyd, Megan Brooker, Olivia Brown, Michael Dzierzynski, Emily Ely, Cassie Johnson, Anna Mattern, Kendell Owens, Brooklyn Parks, Justice Petersen and Becky Ramey; Saratoga Leadaways: Jonathan Downey, Heidi Harrison, Tristan Harrison and Jay Hufnagel; Steuben Rangers: Lilly Snider and Michaela Wier; and Wenona Highlighters: Matthew Cook, Kelly Coons, Jaclyn Janssen, Luke Jaquet, Nate Morris, Dylan Petrimoulx and Logan Schmillen.

For a 4-H member to earn the Service Achievement Award they must complete all the requirements in the Project Achievement category, plus serve on a club committee or hold an office, take part in a community service or community activity related to a member’s project and assist leaders with a special club activity, tour or program.

Leadership Achievement recipients are: Bell Plain Hustlers: Dylan Herridge, Samantha Rediger and Logan Sasso; L-W Achievers: Austin Eckstein, Mikayln White and Logan Woodward; Lostant Leaders: McKayla Urbanowski; PC Progressors: Madison Brown, Derek Glenn, Ashley Johnson, James Petersen, Jarod Petersen, Bradley Wink, Megan Wink and Loralee Wilson; Saratoga Leadaways: Caroline Downey and Evan Bogner; Steuben Rangers: Samantha Bessler, Laura Dittmeier and Leah Wier; and Wenona Highlighters: Meagan Cook, Kira Griffin and Meghan Jones.

The Leadership Achievement award is earned by completing the six previous requirements, plus participating in one or more learning experiences at the county, regional or state level, providing leadership for a project, activity or 4-H group and helping conduct programs at the club level or beyond.

In addition to the Recognition of Excellence awards, there are also many special awards and honors presented: Kelly Coons, Wenona Highlighters, Outstanding Secretary; Payton Knisley, Henry Guys & Gals, Sr. Best Kept Records; Abbie Stanbary, Henry Guys & Gals, Jr. Best Kept Records; and Ashley Johnson, PC Progressors, Extreme Exhibits Award.

A 4-H member who serves a leader of a 4-H group or works with others in leading a 4-H group is able to receive a Junior Leader Certificate. These members were also recognized: Bell Plain Hustlers: Lilah Bobinski, Dylan Herridge, Sam Rediger and Logan Sasso; Bennington Go Getters: Faith Theesfield, Malika Ralston, Clayton Klehm and Hailey Smith; Henry Guys & Gals: Lillian Hentchel, Payton Knisley and Athena Lindstrom; L-W Achievers: Taylor Hofstatter and Mikayln White; Lostant Leaders: McKayla Urbanowski; PC Progressors: Madison Brown, Derek Glenn, Ashley Johnson, Anna Mattern, James Petersen, Jarod Petersen, Loralee Wilson, Bradley Wink and Megan Wink; Saratoga Leadaways: Caroline Downey, Jonathan Downey, Heidi Harrison, Tristan Harrison and Jay Hufnagel; Steuben Rangers: Sammi Bessler and Leah Wier; and Wenona Highlighters: Matthew Cook, Meagan Cook, Kelly Coons, Kira Griffin, Jaclyn Janssen, Nate Morris and Dylan Petrimoulx.

Leaders with anniversaries were: one year — Dawn Benson - Jr. Master Gardeners, Amber Grimes - Steuben Rangers, Aaron Lindstrom - Robotics, Sue Moreland - Steuben Rangers, Beth Palm - Bennington Go Getters, Rachal Sment - Horse Club and Andy Urbanowski - Robotics; five years — Kevin Knisley - Henry Guys & Gals, Kim Sasso - Bell Plain Hustlers and Amy Schwanke - Shooting Sports; 10 years — Margy Mattern - PC Progressors and Diane Wier - Steuben Rangers; 15 years — DiAnn Kuehn; and 25 years — Pam Hahn.

The awards program ended with a favorite new tradition among the clubs. Clubs compete for the 4-H Spirit Stick. Creativity and group involvement is the key to winning the Spirit Stick. It was a tough competition, with original songs, costumes, dancing, and cheers all exhibited. This year’s winner of the Spirit Stick is the Saratoga Leadaways.