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 Samantha Hulings of Kane and a member of the Kinzua Ridge Runners. She is the daughter of Ted and Stephannie Hulings. Samantha detailed that 4-H is more than a club to her, it is a second family. As president of the Kinzua Ridge Runners, she takes pride in the challenge and responsibility of running the meetings. Helping the members of the club gives her satisfaction and has helped her make lifelong friends.

The newest Warren County 4-H memorial award, the George Morton Animal Science Book Scholarship, was awarded to Audrey Ferrie of Warren. The memorial award developed by Mr. Morton’s Family encourages youth in their pursuit of higher education and their example of living by the 4-H Motto – To Make the Best Better. Mr. Morton was a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University and long-time supporter of the Warren County 4-H program. His daughter, Delores Stec, presented the award on behalf of the family.

The male Watts Outstanding 4-H’er was awarded to Caleb Kafferlin of Spring Creek. Caleb is currently a member with the Columbus Cowpokes. He is a role model to the club’s younger members and shares his knowledge. At home, Caleb can be found working hard on the farm. Whether he is driving equipment, milking cows, feeding calves, or baling hay, Caleb maintains a positive attitude and enjoys working in the dairy industry.

The female Watts Outstanding 4-H’er award went to Samantha Hulings. With a positive attitude, she strives to learn and grow through the 4-H program. Samantha is a role model for her club and the club leaders depend on her thoughtful, caring demeanor to teach younger members about the horse program.

Warren County 4-H Committee Vice Chair, Melinda Johnson, presented Jacob Sleeman with the I Dare You Award. The award consists of a certificate and a hardbound copy of the book, “I Dare You” by William H. Danforth.

The 2019 Roll of Distinction/Friend of 4-H Award went to Colin Brunecz. Colin served as the Warren County 4-H Kinzua Cowpokes leader from 2003 through 2010 and again 2012-2015. During Colin’s tenure, youth learned about the care and quality needed to raise beef projects.

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 2019 include Jacob Sleeman of Russell and Faith Donnell of Sugar Grove. Jacob’s leaders describe him as a responsible young man. He is always the first to ask if he can help with anything at a meeting. Jacob is very active in his community. He volunteers his time at the Wonderkids program at the Lander United Methodist Church where he sets tables, helps with dinner, and clean up. He can be found shoveling snow, mowing lawns, weed eating and anything else asked of him. The 2019 female winner, Faith, was described in her application as a member willing to step up to leadership. Faith can be found helping club members and demonstrating sound judgement when explaining programming activities.

The Perschke Clover Award for Leadership Development was awarded to Cassandra Dalrymple of Columbus. The award is sponsored by Mr. Norman Perschke, the retired 4-H Educator in Warren County from 1955 through the mid 1980’s. The award promotes leadership development in youth through their communication and club collaboration to reach yearly goals and objectives. Cassandra has assisted with club activities and community service projects. As president of Pittsfield Bronc Busters for the last two years, and vice president the previous three years, she has learned to take the reins during club meetings and keep the focus fun. Club leaders remark at Cassandra’s ability to engage all club members in activities. Leaders count on her to organize and complete club task.

Warren County 4-H Development Council presented $25 to the Achievement Award winners. Receiving recognition for community service, Ariel Ludwick of Sugar Grove and a member of the Udder Club, was the leader for her recycling group in school. She learned that being a leader meant she encouraged others to work hard. In addition to the recycling project, Ariel donated food for the soup kitchen, participated in the Angel Tree, and helped with Christmas bags. She stated in her application that sometimes it’s better to care about and give to others than to only care about and give to yourself. Madison Sleeman of Sugar Grove received recognition for her achievement in leadership. As president of the Udder Club, she took her position with seriousness and great care. She worked to be a positive role model for the members. Madison has set goals for herself to learn and grow through the 4-H program so she may teach the club members to the best of her ability.

The Leo & Arlene Rapp Volunteer Community Service award was presented to Brian and Stephanie Smith of Youngsville. They were nominated by Carrie Ludwick from the Udder Club. As the leaders of the Multi-Species 4-H Club, the Smiths offer guidance and commitment to the members of their club. With multiple livestock projects and a variety of educational endeavors, there is never a dull moment for the Smiths. Throughout their three years of volunteering, Brian and Stephanie have helped members complete animal science projects that include beef, goat, sheep, and swine. They encourage members to explore all opportunities available through 4-H and have traveled with their members to Mississippi, Maryland, New York, and Harrisburg to provide educational and showing experiences.

Photos submitted to Times Observer Presented with the top agricultural award, Samantha Hulings, received the Rotary Agricultural Trophy from the Rotary Club of Warren President, Victoria Montecalvo for 2019.

Katie Downs of Bear Lake received the Debbie Knowlton Livestock award for her club activities, leadership, community service, and project records. Katie is a member of three clubs: Kinzua Cowpokes, Sugar Grove Ruff Riders, and the Warren County Hot Shots. The leaders of the Kinzua Cowpokes describe Katie as having a sunny disposition and the ability to make friends easily. She is equally at ease interacting with adults or youth. Katie’s determination and hard work show up as genuine self-confidence in the show ring which usually gets results.

Anna Alcorn of Russell received a plaque and $75 for the “Brett Marsh Dairy Member Award.” The award sponsored by the Marsh Family and Marsh Chiropractic is given to a dairy member that has shown great interest in the industry. As a member of the Udder Club, Anna, has set a good example and is a role model to the younger members of the club.

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 Sophia Scott of Pittsfield for being selected as the recipient of the cherished award. She received a plaque and show halter sponsored by the Holstein Club. As a first-year member of the Udder Club, she teamed up with an older member of the club to lease an animal. Sophia detailed that she learned how to clip a cow, care for the animals, and show. She learned some of the many chores and details that go into dairy farming.

The Scandia Trail Blazers earned the county-wide community service award. The club leaders are Sonya Anthony, Stephanie Arthurs, Jolene Ferrie, Melinda Nichols, Dianna Sleeman, Josh Schrader, and Kristy Turner. They worked to plan and implement community service projects for the club membership.

Other clubs recognized were: All About Art – Virginia Loizeaux and Amy Bennett; Ham Handlers- Jason & Michelle Enos and Jason Schott; Kinzua Ridge Runners – Tammi Holden and Stephannie Hulings; Pittsfield Bronc Busters – Barb & Jim Emahizer, John Emahizer, Heather Eckstrom, Melissa Morse, Terry Stover, and Connie Tenney; Shamrock Sheep – Pat McMillen and Dale & Pam McMillen; Sugar Grove Ruff Riders – Virginia Loizeaux, Becky Downs, and Kelly Boisvert; Udder Club – Carrie Ludwick, Melinda Johnson, and Heather Wilcox; and Warren County Teen Council – Sherry Moore and Heather Wilcox.

Photos submitted to Times Observer Rotary Club President Victoria Montecalvo presented the Warren County 4-H club presidents with their pins and folders. Presidents pictured include (left to right): Isaac Smith, Cassandra Dalrymple, Bryceton Maille, and Madison Sleeman.

Members that participated in the horse drill team for grand entry at the county horse show were recognized by Jennifer Grooms for their dedication and devotion to training. Lexi Banko of Warren; Laney Belcher of Russell; Arlene Boisvert of Youngsville; Melissa Burton of Kane; Cassandra and Wyatt Dalrymple of Columbus, Katie Downs, Bryceton Maille of Pittsfield, Macey Eyler of Sugar Grove, Mackenzie Gates of Corry; Miranda Gates of Russell; Hialeah Stanton of Russell and Kassidy Turner of Pittsfield each received a certificate and pin.

Bryceton Maille received the club president trophy for his work with Sanford Saddles & Spurs. The remaining applicants received a notebook and pin and included Cassandra Dalrymple, Katie Downs, Madison Sleeman, Isaac Smith, Dylan Gourley of Corry, and Phoebe Tower of Russell.

The vice president’s trophy went to Katie Downs a member of the Kinzua Cowpokes. Katie also took top honors as the news reporter for the Sugar Grove Ruff Riders.

The secretary’s trophy went to Faith Donnell of the Ham Handlers. Additional members recognized for their secretarial work included Hailey Graham of Warren, and Nevaeh Gamble of Corry. The treasurer’s trophy was awarded to Kaitlin Sleeman of Russell and a member of the Ham Handlers.

This year’s Club Scrapbook award recipients were Emelyn and Kadyn Moore of Youngsville and members of the Sanford Saddles & Spurs Club. Samantha Hulings was also recognized for her scrapbook with the Kinzua Ridge Runners.

“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. Taking top honors with her swine project book Kaitlin Sleeman was honored. Additional pins were given to Chloe Labowski, Kahlynne May, Kaitlin Sleeman, Katharine Smith, Isaac Smith, Joel Sorrell, Melissa Sorrell, Olivia Sorrell, and Phoebe Tower.

The dairy category had seven entries from: Laney Belcher, Nevaeh Gamble, Brice Ludwick, Dilyn Moore, Madison Sleeman, Sophia Scott, and Tristen Wilcox. The top project book award went to Tristen Wilcox.

The horse category had nine entries. Pins were given to the following horse members Cassandra Dalrymple, Katie Downs, Wyatt Dalrymple, Samantha Hulings, Hailey Graham, Bryceton Maille Maria Slack, Hialeah Stanton, and Kaitlyn Van Ord. The top project book trophy went to Katie Downs.

Five rabbit project books were entered. Huntley LaVigne, Conner Vanco, Maria Slack, Erica Cobbe, and Peyton Heeter each completed the project award applications. The top rabbit book trophy went to Conner Vanco.

Four goat project books were recognized with pins for completion. Pins went to Shay Reilly, Katharine and Isaac Smith, and Erica Cobbe.

One beef pin was awarded to Katie Downs. One sheep project book received from Autumn Howick was awarded a pin. Lastly one member, Huntley LaVigne, participated in the shooting sports project and was recognized with a pin

Warren County 4-H Scholarship recipients were Hailie Cass, Audrey Ferrie, and Abagail Downs. 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 Jenna Chase. The scholarship is given in honor of retired Family Living and 4-H Educator Phyllis Wright. The award application is available with the 4-H Scholarship is January yearly.

New in the Pennsylvania 4-H program the Clover Award. The award encompasses leadership skill development in 4-H members as they grow in the program. The award program encourages 4-H members to engage in a variety of projects and activities. Members completing the first level in 2019, Green, included Anna Alcorn, Jonah Bennett, Katelyn Bennett, Melissa Bennett, Sophie Bennett, Hailey Graham, Samantha Hulings, Huntley LaVigne, Jacob Sleeman and Madison Sleeman. Members were eligible to complete two levels in the first year. Thereafter only one level may be completed. Members completing the White award included: Arlene Boisvert, Katie Downs, Nevaeh Gamble, Ariel Ludwick, Veronica Ludwick, Bryceton Maille, Isaac Smith, Katharine Smith, and Hialeah Stanton.

Warren County 4-H and the Rotary Club of Warren honored several leaders for completing milestones in their 4-H volunteer career. First year leaders include Hailie and Heather Cass of Tidioute and Kimberly Lawson of Pittsfield.

Silver clover pins for five years of service went to Amy Bennett of Youngsville, Andrew Gourley and Jennifer Nickerson of Corry, and Katelyn Maille of Pittsfield. Reaching five years marks the success of being able to multi-task several club responsibilities in an ever-changing program.

Reaching ten years of volunteerism, Stephanie Arthurs of Warren was recognized for her support of the Scandia Trail Blazers.

Tammi Holden of Sheffield was recognized for reaching 15 years of volunteerism with the Kinzua Ridge Runners.

A 20-year pin was given to Jim Emahizer of Bear Lake for his service with the Pittsfield Bronc Busters.

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.