Putnam, Marshall counties youth receive 4-H awards

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 on Nov. 7, at the Henry Presbyterian Church.

The award level is determined by how many experiences the member completes in each of four categories – participation, community service, leadership and project learning. Project Achievement winners receive a bronze medal, Service Achievement winners receive a silver medal and Leadership Achievement winners receive a gold medal.

To receive the Bronze Clover Award, youth complete at least one experience in each of the four categories; Silver Clover Award, youth complete at least two experiences in each of the four categories with at least two of those experiences from the county level or beyond; and the Gold Clover Award, youth complete four experiences in each of the four categories with at least two of those experiences beyond the county level.

Marshall-Putnam 4-H members who earned the Bronze Clover Award were: Connor Anderson, Henry Guys & Gals; Grace Anderson, Henry Guys & Gals; Lane Kocher, Saratoga Leadaways; Benjamin Meachum, Saratoga Leadaways; Hayden Meachum, Saratoga Leadaways; Grace Miles, Bennington Go-Getters; Gracie Vinyard, Bell Plain Hustlers; Joseph Vinyard, Bell Plain Hustlers; and Isaac Wujek, PC Progressors.

Marshall-Putnam 4-H members who earned the Silver Clover Award were: Brady Palm, Bennington Go-Getters; Cassidy Palm, Bennington Go-Getters; Kaitlyn Palm, Bennington Go-Getters; Lucas Palm, Bennington Go-Getters; Eli Postula, PC Progressors; Quinn Postula, PC Progressors; Kendra Story, PC Progressors; and Christina Wier, Steuben Rangers.

Gold Clover Award recipients from Marshall-Putnam were: Ryan Carlson, Henry Guys & Gals; and Samantha Nauman, Henry Guys & Gals.

In addition to the experience awards, other special awards and honors were presented. Each club is supposed to turn in their secretary books for judging. Usually one secretary receives the honor of Outstanding Secretary for the Year, but this year two people earned the honor. This year’s outstanding secretaries are Sophia Brown and Quinn Postula of the PC Progressors. Their names are on a plaque in the Marshall-Putnam Extension office.

Record books are a very important part of 4-H. It gives the members an opportunity to reflect on their yearly work and helps develop written skills for all the records they will need to keep in their life. The junior Best Kept Record Book winner is Samantha Nauman of Henry Guys & Gals. The senior Best Kept Record Book winner is Ryan Carlson of Henry Guys & Gals.

4-H would not be possible without the hard work of volunteers and leaders. Those recognized for milestone years were Jeremy Palm and Sam Wier, both for five years of dedicated volunteer service.

The Spirit Stick is a favorite of the members. Each club presents a skit or sings songs to show their 4-H spirit. Creativity and group involvement is the key to winning the Spirit Stick. It was a tough competition with original songs, costumes and a game show. This year’s winner was the Saratoga Leadaways.

The evening ended with refreshments from the host clubs, Federation and Steuben Rangers.

The Mission of University of Illinois Extension is to provide practical education you can trust to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. Learn more at https://extension.illinois.edu/blmp If you have questions or need information, call University of Illinois Extension – Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam Unit Office at 815-224-0889. Extension offices are located in Princeton, Ottawa, Henry and in Oglesby on the IVCC campus.