Many Warren County 4-H volunteers celebrated their first year through their 40th year of supporting club programming. The 4-H program would not not exist without dedicated volunteers to provide leadership to the 17 clubs in the county. First-year leaders recognized were Casey Courtney, Jaycob Courtney, Amanda Ongley and Cynthia Rutsky. Fifth-year leaders recognized were Rodney Curtis, Stephannie Hulings and Kristy Turner. Three 10-year leaders were recognized: Sherry Anderson, Rebecca Downs and Jolene Ferrie. Honored for 15 years of volunteering with the Pittsfield Bronc Busters was Heather Eckstrom and with the Sanford Saddles & Spurs, Diana Maille. Awards for 20-years of service were given to Carrie Ludwick and Sherry Moore. Honored for 25 years of leadership were Barbara Emahizer of the Pittsfield Bronc Busters, Cheryl Hummel of the Desperados and Melinda Johnson of the Udder Club. Honored for 30 as the organizational leader of the Desperados, Connie Tenney received her ruby clover pin and certificate. The Shamrock Sheep have been led by the McMillen family for the last 40-plus years with Pat McMillen. She is joined by her daughter in law Pam McMillen with 30 years of volunteer service and Pat’s son, Dale, with 35 years of volunteerism.

With the shortened 4-H program year, a new award was offered for youth to demonstrate how they have stayed positive through the Sign of the Times. Bryceton Maille of Pittsfield received the leadership award for Sign of the Times for his expanded participation and demonstrations to support his club, county and project growth. Madison Sleeman of Russell received the communications award for Sign of the Times with her continued promotion of the 4-H dairy and swine program. Community service Sign of the Times recognized Evelyn Ongley, of Pittsfield, for her work.

Club members completed project books detailing the activities and record keeping required for the program year. Kaitlin Sleeman of Russell was honored for her record keeping skills in the Ham Handlers 4-H club. Kaitlin received the project book trophy for a second year in a row. Nora Schroeder of Pleasantville took home the trophy for her complete and thorough horse project records. Additional members were recognized with pins in the following areas:

¯ Beef: Kael and Lamech Albers of Corry, Katie Downs of Bear Lake, and Marissa Sweeney of Frewsburg, N.Y.;

Isaac and Katharine Smith received their project book pins and Bronze Clover Awards for their 2019-2020 program year. They are members of the Ham Handlers, Multi-Species Club, and Warren County Teen Council.

¯ Goat: Hadley Green of Cherry Creek, N.Y., Shay Reilly of Spring Creek, Isaac and Katharine Smith of Youngsville;

¯ Horse: Zoe Atkins of Warren, Arlene and Esther Boisvert of Youngsville, Ryleigh Bowers of Warren, Katie Downs, Mackenzie Gates of Corry, Samantha Hulings of Kane, Bryceton Maille, Evelyn Ongley, Kacy Peters of Titusville, and Dustin Rose of Corry;

¯ Pets: Audrey Miller of Corry;

¯ Photography: Katie Downs;

¯ Rabbit: Erica Cobbe of Sugar Grove, Brittany Dutchess of Russell, Ava Jenkins of Youngsville, and Huntley LaVigne of Sugar Grove;

Cherakee Moonbeam and Nora Schroeder of Pleasantville, poses with her award for accurate and detailed record keeping. Nora is a member of the Desperados 4-H club located in Grand Valley.

¯ Sheep: Amie and Kenzie Lindvay of Russell;

¯ Swine: Caleb Ace of Sheffield, Kahlynne May of Youngsville, Madison Sleeman, Katharine and Isaac Smith; and

¯ Vet Science: Erica Cobbe and Gretchen Wiler of Youngsville.

The Pennsylvania State 4-H Clover award program encourages 4-H members to engage in a variety of projects and activities, in addition to enabling members to acquire the seven Leadership Life Skills. Eleven members completed the first level, green, and include: Dalton, Isabella, and Samantha Greer of Titusville, Esther Boisvert, Erica Cobbe, Samantha Hulings, Amie and Kenzie Lindvay, Evelyn Ongley, Shay Reilly, and Kaitlin Sleeman. Huntley LaVigne completed the white level award. Six members completed the bronze level and include: Katie Downs, Nevaeh Gamble of Corry, Bryceton Maille, Isaac and Katharine Smith, and Madison Sleeman. Bryceton Maille is the first to complete the Silver Clover Award. The award program supports members in their development of seven leadership life skills: decision making and problem solving; getting along with others; learning to learn; managing; understanding self; and working in groups.

Several 4-H Horse members and cloverbud members participated in the Recreational Riding project. Members tally the number of hours they work with their project animal. Once members reach 50, 100, 200, 300, etc. awards are provided. Three cloverbud members reached 100 or more hours in the 2019-2020 program year. They included: Avery and Nora Morton of Spartansburg, and Alaina Ongley of Pittsfield. They received helmet covers and drawstring bags with the 4-H Recreational Riding logo. Alaina Ongley accumulated more than 200 hours and received a saddle horn bag with logo. Additional members recognized through the Recreational Riding program included Wyatt Dalrymple of Columbus, Katie Downs, Bryceton Maille and Evelyn Ongley.

The program concluded with a capnote speech from Pennsylvania 4-H State Council member, Audrey Ferrie of Warren. Audrey is completing her final year in the 4-H program as vice president of operations for the State Council. She is the first Warren County 4-H member to be elected to the council.

To learn more about the Warren County 4-H program visit 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.