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Rotary 4-H Achievement Night honorees

The 55th Rotary 4-H Achievement Night and the Penn State Extension Annual Meeting were held November 9 at the 4-H Center in Pittsfield.

The evening began with 4-H Extension Educator Jennifer Grooms introducing the elected officials present, including Diane Helbig from Pennsylvania State Senator Michele Brooks’ office, State Representative Kathy Rapp, and State Senator Scott Hutchinson.

Extension Board President Sally Asbury reviewed the details of two individuals seeking election to the Penn State Extension Board. Sally asked for a nomination from the floor to fill the three positions open on the board. A nomination for Sue Kibbey was motioned and seconded. The motion passed. A motion to approve all three candidate was moved and seconded. The motion carried. Official business of the Penn State Extension board was concluded with the introduction of Melissa Norman as the Client Relations Manager for Warren County. Melissa addressed the crowd with the updated changes to the Penn State Extension program throughout the state.

The remainder of the evening celebrated the accomplishments of the Warren County 4-H members.

This year’s Rotary 4-H Agricultural Trophy was awarded to Tristen Wilcox of Russell. He is the son of Matt and Heather Wilcox. Tristen detailed that 4-H means improving himself, his surroundings, and always trying to be better than before. Most importantly, he stated 4-H has taught him leadership and citizenship skills that will last a lifetime. We applaud Tristen for his dedication to the 4-H program and encourage him to continue to expand his confidence, leadership, and citizenship through the Udder Club.

The male Watts Outstanding 4-H’er was awarded to Bryceton Maille of Pittsfield. Bryceton is currently a member with the Sanford Saddles & Spurs. He is always eager to learn and share his knowledge. He has taken on leadership roles in his club and school. When Bryceton is not busy with student council, national honor society, band, basketball, baseball or boy scouts, you will find him helping his community.

The female Watts Outstanding 4-H’er award went to Hailie Cass of Tidioute. As a member of the Sanford Saddles & Spurs club, Hailie has focused her interest in the equine science program. Her commitment to 4-H does not stop there. In 2017, she stepped into the Teen Council program and hit the road running. Dedicating her time to community service and leadership development, Hailie has found the extensive reach of the 4-H program. Her calm and caring demeanor make her a natural in working with youth.

The 2017 Roll of Distinction/ Friend of 4-H Award went to the Mike Corradi. The 4-H program would not be successful without the support of the numerous parents that dedicate their time. Mike Corradi has supported the Columbus Cowpokes and the 4-H Dairy program without question. Each year you will find Mike hauling in materials and supplies to support the entire dairy program at the fair. From building the Columbus Cowpokes headquarters, at the fair, to hauling dairy animals he is ready to lend a hand. As a former FFA member, he has passed along his knowledge and skills to the club.

The “I Dare You” awards are given to a male and female to challenge them to use their leadership skills as they grow. Winners for 2017 are Jessy Taylor of Columbus and Cassandra Dalrymple of Columbus. Jessy is a member of the Ham Handlers and the Warren County Hot Shots. Jessy has taken on the animal science project with an eagerness to learn. Working through the management and care of his project animal, has helped him step up his leadership. We encourage Jessy to continue learning and striving to Make the Best Better. Cassandra is a member of the Pittsfield Bronc Busters. Her leaders describe Cassie as always ready to step up and take care of business. Whether she is leading a meeting or helping with a clinic, Cassie encourages all members of the club. We support Cassie in taking the next step and begin exploring 4-H programs regionally and statewide

The Perschke Clover Award for Leadership Development was given to Audrey Ferrie of Warren. Ms. Lynda Slocum presented the award. Her father, Norm, was the 4-H Educator in Warren County from 1955 until his retirement. The award promotes leadership development in youth through their communication and club collaboration to reach yearly goals and objectives. After participating in the State Leadership Conference, in January of 2017, Audrey felt inspired and motivated from the guest speaker Kevin Laue. Kevin challenged the participants of conference to “build a flag” by making a difference in their community. Audrey stepped up to the challenge and engaged the 4-H members in activities. Audrey’s biggest undertaken involved making arrangements for the students with special needs, of the Warren Area High School, to attend Homecoming. Each year students are invited to Homecoming but very seldom attend. Audrey along with her boyfriend and fellow 4-H member Brielle Whitney assisted 21 of the 30 students to go to Homecoming. She worked to get donations in support of corsages and boutonniËre for each student. Audrey is looking forward to working with her school to get the students to Prom in 2018.

Warren County 4-H Development Council presented $25 to the Achievement Award winners. Receiving recognition for communication, Savhannah Gamble of the Columbus Cowpokes was honored. As a first year member of the club, Savhannah was “jam-packed” full of mixed emotions. Club members elected her the news reporter and after every event, she would submit a photo and details of the program to the Corry Journal. She also participated in presenting a dairy program to pre-school youth at the Corry YMCA. Hailie Cass achieved recognition for her community service. Through the 4-H program, Hailie assisted with painting the church room at the Grand Valley Church — where the club holds meetings, planting trees at a local farm for stewardship, and working at the Chicken BBQ during fair. Outside of 4-H, Hailie can be found volunteering her time at Miracle Mountain Ranch, ringing the bell for Salvation Army, and Tying of the Greens for Tidioute Borough. Dominique Corradi of the Columbus Cowpokes was recognized for her leadership. Dominique is a nine-year member of the club, and she has served as the president for the last three. She has learned the importance of planning and coordinating group events and that even the best-made plans sometimes change. Her involvement in state programs such as State Leadership Conference and Capital Days have taken her out of her comfort zone and made her learn the importance of being a team player.

The Leo & Arlene Rapp Volunteer Community Service award was presented to Jill Curtis of Corry. Jill has led the Columbus Cowpokes in several of their community service activities. She has been instrumental in helping the kids come up with community service activities such as assembling Christmas gifts to residents of the Corry Manor, cookies for the Police, Volunteer Firefighters and EMT workers, fundraising for Alzheimer Association and many more.

Madison Hultman of Russell and a member of the Shamrock Sheep club received the Debbie Knowlton Livestock award for her club activities, leadership, community service, and project records.

John Curtis of Corry received a plaque and $25 for the “Brett Marsh Dairy Member Award.” The award sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Tom Jones is given to a dairy member that has shown great interest in the industry. As a member of the Columbus Cowpokes, John, has a vast knowledge of the dairy industry. He sets a good example and is a role model to the younger members of the club. John has invested time and effort to breed and raise quality Jersey calves. His fellow club members look to him for advice and help with clipping, leading, milking, washing, etc. You name it, and John has helped with it.

The Les Curtis Young Dairy Person Award honors Les who shared his time and dairy industry knowledge with kids of Warren County. The Warren County Holstein Club is now sponsoring the award for 4-H members. Congratulations to Laney Belcher for committing the time and energy needed to learn about the dairy industry. She noted on her application that it takes time and a lot of work to teach her calf how to properly lead. Laney is learning to listen to those that give instruction and work monthly on filling out expense records instead of waiting until June.

The Sanford Saddles & Spurs earned the county wide community service award. The club leaders are Matt, Diana, and Katelyn Maille along with Sarah Grable and they work to plan and implement community service projects for the club membership. The club completed an array of service projects ranging from garbage collection to the painting of the Grand Valley United Methodist Church’s social hall. The members of the club participated in five different projects throughout the 2016-2017 year. Members helped a local Boy Scout troop earn their horsemanship Merit Badge by teaching them about the care needed to raise a horse and the skills to ride. The Sanford Saddles & Spurs club gladly works in the 4-H Chicken BBQ restaurant each year and sometimes takes two shifts to help the countywide fundraiser. The club members completed garbage pickup along many local roads and even offered a community movie night open to public during the 2016 Holiday Season.

Other clubs recognized were: Desperados – Connie Tenney, Pauline Beard, and Cheryl Hummel; Scandia Trail Blazers – Jolene Ferrie, Stephanie Arthers, Sonya Anthony, Josh Schrader, Diana Sleeman, and Kristy Turner; Pittsfield Bronc Busters – Barb, Jim, and John Emahizer, Heather Eckstrom, Terry Stover, Katie Jukes, and Melissa Morse; and Ham Handlers – Jason and Michelle Enos; All About Art – Virginia Loizeaux and Amy Bennett; Sugar Grove Ruff Riders – Virginia Loizeaux, Becky Downs, and Kelly Boisvert; Udder Club – Carrie Ludwick, Melinda Johnson, Heather Wilcox, and Mark Blair.

Members that participated in the horse drill team for grand entry at the county horse show were recognized by Connie Tenney for their dedication and devotion to training. Bryceton Maille, Robert Richards of Sugar Grove, Marisa Desin and Kayann King of Spartansburg, Shelby Ordiway of Sheffield, and Hialeah Stanton of Russell each received a certificate and shirt.

Brielle Whitney of Sugar Grove received the club president trophy for her work with the Scandia Trail Blazers. The other presidents received a notebook and pin and included Audrey Ferrie, Ami Jackson of Russell, Sabrina Long and Nick Gourley of Sugar Grove, and Katie Downs of Bear Lake.

The vice president’s trophy went to Megan Gourley of Corry and a member of the Kinzua Cowpokes. Additional club vice presidents recognized included Kassidy Turner of Pittsfield and Cassandra Dalrymple.

The secretary’s trophy went to Samantha Gourley of Sugar Grove. Additional members recognized for their secretarial work included Chloe Labowski of Sugar Grove and Josey Campbell of Spring Creek.

The treasurer’s trophy was awarded to Eliza Brook of Russell and a member of the Sugar Grove Ruff Riders. Garrett Proper of Columbus was also recognized for his work as treasurer for the Ham Handlers.

“Project Pins” were awarded to individuals submitting complete, accurate books with a story on “What I Learned from My 4-H Project.” Categories with five or more entries received a trophy for the top book.

Receiving the trophy for her dairy project work, Tristen Wilcox was honored. Sixteen additional members received dairy project pins- Ariel & Veronica Ludwick, Keeley & Anna Alcorn, Jacob & Madison Sleeman, Laney Belcher, Miranda & Mackenzie Gates, Neveah & Savhannah Gamble, Carissa & Brett Hitchcock, Ciara Sherwood, Dilyn Moore, and Sabrina Long.

Taking top honors with her swine project book Kaitlin Sleeman was honored. Additional pins were given to Faith Donnell, Owen Schott, Jackson Seigberg, Kahlynne May, Ami Jackson, Hailey Graham, and Katharine & Isaac Smith.

The horse category had four entries. Pins were given to the following horse members Bryceton Maille, Hailie Cass, Hailey Graham and Katie Downs.

Two goat project books were recognized with pins for completion. Pins went to Katharine and Isaac Smith. One beef pin was awarded to Katie Downs, one leadership pin was awarded to Hailie Cass, and one robotics project pin went to Josey Campbell.

Warren County 4-H Scholarship recipients were Sabrina Long, Madison Hultman and Cody and Lindsey McMillen. The scholarship applications are made available yearly to past and present 4-H members pursuing degrees in higher education.

The Wright Fund Scholarship was awarded to Alexis Titch. The scholarship is given in honor of former Family Living and 4-H Educator Phyllis Wright.

Congratulations to all Warren County 4-H members and leaders for participating and supporting the local clubs and communities. To learn more about the Warren County 4-H program go to http://extension.psu.edu/warren. 4-H in Pennsylvania is coordinated by Penn State Extension through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 4-H programs are open to all boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 18 regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability.

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