The 4-H year runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30 of each year. Youth select projects in October or November and work on learning new skills, improving others, and participating in related leadership and community service throughout the year.
Celebrating involvement and accomplishments is an important and fun part of this process! About 80 4-H members and their families gathered on Sunday, Nov. 3, to share a meal, good fellowship, and celebrate 4-H members.
A committee puts together the theme and decides on the meal. They did a great job this year to Level Up with 4-H, a video game themed event. One of the families provided roasters of soup while another took care of the desserts. It was a great way to begin the evening.
One of the hallmarks of 4-H is the focus on communication skills and leadership, and both were on display as 4-H Council officers Melody Braddy, Kassie Linsner, Ailey Williams, and Jonas Kern served as our emcees for the evening.
Each 4-H club has an opportunity to share about events they participated in and to showcase the awards for their club members. It is so much fun to see each club gather with their project awards for a group photo.
In addition, there are a few special awards presented. The Key Award is for 4-H members who have demonstrated outstanding contributions in leadership, citizenship, community service, demonstrations, judging and the holding of club and county offices. In short, it recognizes 4-H members who have lived up to the high ideals expressed by the 4-H Club Pledge. Jonas Kern received his Key Award as a 10-year member of the Ellinwood Energizers and is involved in a wide variety of project areas. In particular, he was recognized at the 2024 Emerald Circle banquet, held during Discovery Days, for having the Kansas 4-H Wildlife Project Record. He is a member of the Cottonwood 4-H2O Ambassadors and presents water educational information to a wide variety of audiences. He is an active member of Junior Leaders, 4-H Ambassadors, and the 4-H Livestock Committee and has held numerous offices in all of these organizations. He is a gracious leader who is willing to listen but keep the decision-making process moving forward.
The “I Dare You” Leadership award was first offered in 1941 by the late Williams H. Danforth, founder of the Ralston Purina company in St. Louis. He challenged young people to achieve their highest potential and to influence others through lives of service. The award inspired the book, “I Dare You” written by Danforth in which he encourages a balanced life of mental, physical, social, and spiritual development as the backbone of leadership.
Ailey Williams, the first recipient, holds multiple leadership roles in her club, Junior Leaders, and 4-H Council. In addition, she always shows up with a smile and a “can do” attitude for any task.
Melody Braddy, the second recipient, also holds multiple leadership roles across our county and is a candidate for the Kansas Youth Leadership Council this year. Her creative spark is visible in many activities and projects.
Both of these young women are incredibly involved in school activities in addition to 4-H, yet show up and lead activities. I was particularly pleased to see their commitment and engagement the last couple of years as the Visual Arts superintendents. They had a short and sharp learning curve the first year but have gained much experience in the last two years.
Our final special awards are the Friends of 4-H. The first was presented to Shane and Hayley Dicks for their many years as Busy Buzzers club leaders and advisers for the 4-H Livestock Committee and 4-H Ambassadors. The second was presented to the family of the late Frank Ochs who was a 4-H champion and cheerleader to many 4-H families. His smile and jokes in the barn will be greatly missed but we look forward to many years of involvement by his family.
Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.
Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent for the Cottonwood District, Barton County office. Email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.
