Community youth and volunteers honored at Kendall County 4-H Achievement Night

This is part one of a two-part series on the annual Kendall County 4-H Achievement Night. Check next week’s edition for more news.

Youth and adult volunteers across the county were honored for project achievement and leadership during the annual 4-H Achievement Night on Friday, Nov. 18 at Plano High School.

“We are so proud of our Kendall County 4-H youth and thankful for the supportive families and communities that recognize their efforts each year with scholarships and awards,” said Kim Eisnaugle, Kendall County 4-H and Youth Development Program Coordinator. “Our amazing volunteers lead 4-H clubs, learning and community service activities throughout the year, and we thank them for sharing their time and expertise.”

Throughout the night, youth were recognized for efforts in the 2015-16 4-H Year.

James Martin and Zachary Perkins were honored for earning places at the 2016 4-H National Congress, which is the highest award in 4-H. Martin was chosen in the area of Personal Growth and Perkins in Project Mastery. The two will travel to Atlanta later this month to participate in the prestigious event, which provides outstanding 4-H youth an expanded educational experience through seminars, community service projects, and tours sponsored by local and national 4-H program donors. Each National Congress delegate will receive $200 from the Kendall County 4-H Foundation to assist with trip expenses.

In addition, State 4-H Project Medal and Blue Award Winners were recognized for their achievement, service and leadership. Recipients were William Benson of Little Rockets 4-H Club, Julian Heidrich of Barn & Beyond, Evelyn Martin of Martin Family Club, Lydia Oker of Millbrook Mighty Ones, Emily Reppy of Seward Kids & Critters; Sydney Reppy of Seward Kids & Critters; Sarah Roberts of Little Rockets, Ally Rott of Millbrook Mighty Ones, and Leah Theodor of LaMenu Modelle. Benson, Martin, Roberts and Theodor also qualify as state award nominees and may submit their records at that level.

Many 4-H members also received special honors supported by local businesses, organizations and families, including:

The Sylvia Gabel-Pletcher Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 was awarded to Ally Rott of Millbrook Mighty Ones 4-H Club for merit and 4-H excellence. Rott is a senior at Somonauk High School. The prestigious honor is sponsored by Pat Norr and Terry Gabel in memory of their mother.

The Marilyn and Herman Hanouw Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Zachary Perkins of Millbrook Mighty Ones 4-H Club for merit and 4-H excellence. A senior at Newark High School, Perkins received the $1000 award from the Kendall County 4-H Foundation. Perkins also won the Kendall County 4-H Recreation Fund Scholarship of $500 from the 4-H Foundation. This merit and need-based award is given to a first-year college or trade school student or graduating high school senior who is at least a five-year Kendall County 4-H member.

Blair Thompson of Nothin’ But Country 4-H Club earned the 2016 4-H Livestock Auction Award of $500 to help with college. She attends Joliet Junior College. The award is sponsored by Kendall County Fair 4-H Livestock Auction Committee.

The Rebhorn Memorial Scholarship was earned by Alexandria DeNeve of Renegades, Rebels and Rogues 4-H Club, and she received $250, sponsored by the Rebhorn Family. DeNeve is studying to be a nurse practitioner.

The A. Stephen Paydon Memorial Leadership Award of $100 went to Sydney Reppy of Seward Kids and Critters 4-H Club for her leadership at school, in the community and in 4-H. It is sponsored by Diane Becker, Martha Pranga, Anita Drinkall and Linda Muehling.

The Kendall County Pork Producers Swine Award of $100 went to Lydia Oker for her project work, record-keeping, production and promotion with swine. Oker is a member of Millbrook Mighty Ones 4-H Club.

The Marbry Gabel Home Economics Award, now in its second year, was awarded to Evie Martin of Martin Family Club. Sponsored by Mardel and Gary Robinson, it recognizes a top 4-H member enrolled at least four years in at least two of these projects: foods, clothing, child development, health and interior design. The winner receives $100.

The Dairy Award went to Jessica Carlson of Millbrook Mighty Ones 4-H Club in recognition of her project work, record-keeping, production and promotion with dairy. She received $50 and a plaque from the Kendall County Farm Bureau Foundation.

The Doser Family Memorial Award went to Leah Theodor of LaMenu Modelle 4-H Club and Will Benson of Little Rockets 4-H Club. Winners are chosen based on excellence in visual arts or horticulture, for at least three years, and each received a plaque and $50. It is sponsored by the Doser and Schnitz families.

Livia Way from Little Rockets 4-H Club took home the McEachern-Biffi Intercultural Award, sponsored by Joan McEachern, for outstanding project work and cultural studies. She received $50 and a plaque.

The Clara Miller Memorial Achievement Award from the Kendall County 4-H Foundation was awarded to Evie Martin. She received $50 and a plaque. The Rushton Memorial Citizenship Award, sponsored by Mrs. Ruth Satorius, also went to Evie Martin, who received a citizenship pin. It honors 4-H members for all-around citizenship in 4-H, at school and in their community.

The Nelson Memorial Agricultural Award was given to Zachary Perkins for outstanding work in animal science and as a member of the Illinois State Livestock Ambassadors Team. He received $50 and a plaque, both sponsored by the Kendall County 4-H Foundation.

The Kendall County Association for Home and Community Education (HCE) Foods Award was awarded to Leah Theodor, who received a “Taste of Home” Betty Crocker Cookbook. The HCE Clothing Award was given to Lydia Oker, who received a set of sewing shears.

The “I Dare You” Award, sponsored by the Kendall County 4-H Foundation, was awarded to Abigail Way from Little Rockets 4-H Club and James Martin of the Martin Family 4-H Club. Both receive the “I Dare You” book, certificate and an invitation to attend the American Youth Foundation Leadership Conference.

The Sue Kuefler Memorial Traveling Trophy recognizes a youth in the horse project who competes in both English and Western classes. At the horse shows this summer, Jenna Buss earned the trophy and received an embroidered halter. The award is given in memory of Sue Kuefler by Ed Kuefler, and the Johnson and Prestegaard families.

The Monkemeyer Memorial First-Year Achievement Awards went to Gianna Motchnik and Marcus Motchnik, both of Millbrook Mighty Ones 4-H Club. Each received a 4-H scrapbook.

Secretary of the Year went to Olivia Vickery from Seward Kids & Critters 4-H Club for excellent attendance records and meeting minutes. She received a 4-H pen and pencil set from the Kendall County 4-H Foundation.

The Treasurer of the Year Award, sponsored by Heartland Bank & Trust, went to Ava Rittgers of the Seward Kids & Critters 4-H Club. She received a calculator. The award is based on neatness, completeness, and accuracy of the club treasury book.

Several individual and club awards also were earned:

First Year Members – The following 4-H members received a pin to commemorate their first year of 4-H: BARN & BEYOND – Ella Baker, Eli Brummel, Hudson Hill, Jacob Homerding, Annie Ralston, Madison Sittler, Annelise Veeder, Kendall Wills, and Kevin Wills; BARNSTORMERS – Alicia Barnes and Alex Ross; BOOTS, BLUE JEANS AND BOWS – Payton Billos, Daniel Duffey, Jakob Duffey, Kendal Marian, Broderic McElroy, Dominic McElroy, Brynn Ripsky, Adrianna Rodriguez, Aleece Subat, and Lucinda Subat; DENIM & DUST – Sophia Borjon and Maddie Wietting; LAMENU MODELLE – Lanna Furness; KENDALL COUNTY COUNTRY KIDS – Landon Begovac, Nolan Begovac, Conner Covert, Dylan Covert, Jeron Johnson, Cayden Lohrey, Macy Mahler, Gwyneth O'Connell, Rilee Petrusa, Hannah Shields, Sydney Spicher, Ashley Warner, Jacob Warner, Trevor Westphal, and Payton Wills. LISBON TOWN & COUNTRY – Tess Carlson and Gwen Friestad; LITTLE ROCKETS – Mady Daggett, Alexa Del Toro and Jesi Nelson; MANES AND REINS –Mikaela Balaban, Gavin Drummond, Brandon Marz, Heather Marz, Kenny Marz, Jennie Overstreet, Bernadette Sheley, Olivia Woods, and Rylan Woods; MILLBROOK MIGHTY ONES – Elizabeth Garrison, Michael Garrison, Gianna Motchnik, Marcus Motchnik and Abigail Munar; NOTHIN' BUT COUNTRY – Tanner Kempiak and Jenna Setchell; OUTBACKER KIDS – Lily Getz, Tito Jimenez, Morgan Montgomery and Abby Ward; RENEGADES, REBELS & ROGUES – Maddie Capasso and Samuel Smith; ROCKIN KCS – Lucy Anderson, Ashley Berry, Jenna Buss, Sara Buss, Brooklyn Hatteberg, Karrington Kirkby, Haley Lansdown, Brooke Lieser, Carson Merkel, Gentry Merkel, Lillyana Velazquez, and Emily Wacker; SEWARD KIDS & CRITTERS – Brooke Hite and Ava Rittgers; SPANGLISH – Adalyn Behan, Lilianna Casbarian, Paul Emmert and Theophilus Wyncoop; STAGECOACH TRAILBLAZERS – R.J. Russell

First and Second Year Member Project Summary Awards – The following 4-H members received a pen and candy bar for completing their records:  BARN & BEYOND – John Kellogg, Nathaniel Kwiatkowski, Erin Murray, John Murray, and Annie Ralston; BOOTS, BLUE JEANS & BOWS – Adrianna Rodriguez; KENDALL COUNTY COUNTRY KIDS – Brandon Bohr, Kirsten Bohr and Molly Wheeler; LITTLE ROCKETS – Alexa Del Toro; MILLBROOK MIGHTY ONES – Gianna Motchnik, Marcus Motchnik, and Abigail Munar; SEWARD KIDS & CRITTERS – Brooke Hite and Ava Rittgers; SPANGLISH – Lilianna Casbarian, Paul Emmert and Theophilus Wyncoop; STAGECOACH TRAILBLAZERS – Julian Halsey, Ania Nelson, Evan Nelson and Sadie Grace Nelson.

Third Year and More Member Project Summary Awards – The following 4-H members received a candy bar for completing their records: BARN & BEYOND – Kamryn Kellogg, Emma Konicek, Katelin Konicek, Erin Murray, John Murray and Joey Ralston; KENDALL COUNTY COUNTRY KIDS – Ty Steffen and Cole Wheeler; LAMENU MODELLE – Elaine Manning and Emily Manning; MILLBROOK MIGHTY ONES – Jessica Carlson, William Davis, Angeleah Wyncoop and Corwin Wyncoop; OUTBACKER KIDS – Olivia Sanchez; SEWARD KIDS & CRITTERS – Olivia Vickery; STAGECOACH TRAILBLAZERS – Ania Nelson and Evan Nelson.

Points on Records (50-69) – The following 4-H members received a candy bar and a highlighter for completing their records: BARN & BEYOND – Delaney Fisher, Ethan Heidrich, Julian Heidrich, Sofie Heidrich, Tawney Kellogg, Macy Krempski, Emma Konicek, and Augie Staudacher; KENDALL COUNTY COUNTRY KIDS – Ty Steffen; LITTLE ROCKETS – Lauren Roberts, Sarah Roberts and Abigail Way;

MILLBROOK MIGHTY ONES – Ally Rott; SEWARD KIDS & CRITTERS – Maura O’Brien, Emily Reppy and Olivia Vickery; STAGECOACH TRAILBLAZERS – Evan Nelson.

4-H Science Ambassadors – Rylie Benning, William Davis, Ethan Heidrich, Julian Heidrich, Emma Hill, Lydia Oker, Emily Reppy, Sydney Reppy, Audrey Reitenbach, Zach Weiss and Maddie Zagajowski.

Federation members – Multi-year members include Jason Davidson, James Martin Zach Perkins, Haley Morris, and Ally Rott. Members receiving first-year pins were: Evie Martin, Julian Heidrich, Daniel Hufendick, and Emma Konicek. New for 2016-2017 are: Jessica Carlson, Madeline Cumbey, William Davis, Dita Jimenez, Lydia Oker, Emily Reppy, Sydney Reppy and Ava Rittgers.

4-H Graduates received pins, compliments of the Friends of Illinois 4-H Foundation. They include: Alicia Barnes of Barnstormers, Ryan Bateman of Barnstormers, Charlotte Benstine of Renegades, Rebels & Rogues, Delaney Brummel of Millbrook Mighty Ones, Dana Drew of Millbrook Mighty Ones, Mozelle Kempiak of Nothin' but Country, Dayton LeClercq of Barn & Beyond, Cydney Olah of Outbacker Kids, Rebekah Pinney of Rockin KC's, Alex Ross of Barnstormers, Allison Smith of Rockin KC's, Cassandra Stasik of Stagecoach Trailblazers, Blair Thompson of Nothin' but Country, Andrew Tordai of Nothin' but Country, Zachary Ward of Millbrook Mighty Ones, and Livia Way of Little Rockets.

First-year Clothing Exhibitors received a banner, provided by Home and Community Education of Kendall County, to use for their 4-H pins. They are: Barn & Beyond – Ella Baker, Erin Murray, Annie Ralston and Sarah Gracie Taylor; Boots, Blue Jeans & Bows – Kendal Marian, Adrianna Rodriguez and Lucinda Subat; LaMenu Modelle – Mickayla Lovero; Lisbon Town & Country – Tess Carlson, Gwen Friestad and Danielle Monsess; Little Rockets – Alexa Del Toro; Millbrook Mighty Ones – Gianna Motchnik; Outbacker Kids – Morgan Montgomery; Seward Kids & Critters – Emily Reppy and Sydney Reppy; Spanglish – Paul Emmert.

First-year Food Exhibitors also received a banner for the 4-H pins, provided by Home and Community Education of Kendall County. They are: Ella Baker, Erin Murray and Sarah Gracie Taylor; Boots, Blue Jeans & Bows – Kendal Marian; Denim & Dust – Sophia Borjon; Kendall County Country Kids – Cayden Lohrey, Macy Mahler and Madison Woods; LaMenu Modelle – Mickayla Lovero and Emily Manning; Lisbon Town & Country – Tess Carlson and Danielle Monsess; Little Rockets – Alexa Del Toro; Manes & Reins – Jennie Overstreet; Millbrook Mighty Ones – Gianna Motchnik and Abigail Munar; Nothin' but Country – Jenna Setchell; Seward Kids & Critters – Ava Rittgers; Spanglish – Paul Emmert; Stagecoach Trailblazers – Dillan Black and Skyler Gates.

University of Illinois Extension extends congratulations to our 4-H youth, volunteers and clubs, and a special thanks to the Plano School District for the use of their high school auditorium.

For more information on the 4-H program in Kendall County, contact 4-H Program Coordinator Kim Eisnaugle at keisnaug@illinois.edu or visit go.illinois.edu/info4hdkk .  University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs and research-based information to help Illinois residents improve their quality of life, develop skills and solve problems.