The 2023 4-H Recognition Night was held Saturday at Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Recognition Night is a yearly event designed to recognize all the hard work that local 4-H clubs completed over the past year.
The evening began with an introduction, the Pledge of Allegiance, the 4-H Pledge and a prayer for the meal. The meal was potluck-style, including meat catered by Heavenly Homestyle Catering, fresh salads, casseroles and more. There were also a variety of desserts. After a few minutes to let the guests settle into their meals, 4-H Youth Program Associate Amy Glenn introduced club member Ray Cunningham to report on his experience at this year’s 4-H Expo.
“I’ve been showing 4-H since I was old enough. This year at the Expo I feel it was very efficient, very well run,” said Cunningham. “We had a good turnout, a lot of youth exhibitors, and it was a good year.”
Next up to the mic to report was club member Charlee Duncan.
“It was fun, it was a really good experience, I learned a lot from it. I learned responsibility and a lot of hard work,” said Duncan. “I really learned a lot this year. The amount of responsibility it takes to show livestock, and just the amount of hard work you have to put into it.”
Preslie Strader then addressed the crowd and described the series of shows and events she participated in at the Missouri State Fair.
“Thursday, we showed a speckle, a cross threaded, and a natural, and we won all our breeds. My natural one then turned around and won Grand Champion at the Missouri State Fair,” said Strader.
Glenn then thanked members and leaders, giving a special thank you to Sharon Schafer, the club leader for Green Forest, Krystal Sims at Lake Spring, Jessica Radford at Lake Spring, Ashley Cunningham at Spring Creek and Angela Black at Westside. Glenn also thanked Spring Creek retiring club leader Nancy Major.
It was then time to recognize club members with awards. Leaders from each club gave an update on their activities and projects over the last year before calling members up for pins and certificates recognizing the year’s accomplishments and activities.
Glenn announced the awards that shooting sports participants Kash Howard, Clayton Headrick and Ryker Major won. The three were not present at the banquet. According to Glenn, Howard received a red ribbon for senior skeet doubles, a red ribbon for senior skeet single, a blue ribbon for seniors sporting clays, and a red ribbon for senior trap singles. Headrick won a blue ribbon in senior skeet singles and doubles, a blue ribbon in senior trap singles, a red ribbon in single trap doubles, and blue ribbon in senior sporting clays. Major got a blue ribbon for senior skeet singles, a red ribbon for senior skeet doubles, a blue ribbon for senior trap singles, a white ribbon for senior trap doubles, and a red ribbon for senior sporting clays.
Glenn said that the three participated in senior skeet singles as a team and won second place. In senior skeet doubles, they won fourth, and the team received first place in sporting clays. Individually, Headrick was seventh place at the senior skeet singles, second place in senior skeet doubles, second place in senior sporting clays and fifth place in senior trap doubles. Major was eighth place in senior skeet singles.
Glenn and the club leaders then recognized completed project record books. The awards are given to participants who have completed at least one project and documented their work. Almost a dozen students were recognized for their hard work.
Next, various other awards were given. The 4-H Council Past President pin was awarded to K.D. Harrison of the Green Forest 4-H Club. The Outstanding 4-H Club Secretary award was given to Neva Trosper of the Green Forest 4-H Club. Outstanding 4-H Club Treasurer award was given to Kalen Garrison of Green Forest 4-H. Outstanding Club Reporter was presented to Josie Radford of Lake Spring.
Then, awards for Outstanding Boy and Outstanding Girl were given. The award is presented to youth in recognition of personal integrity, balanced living, and motivational leadership. The Outstanding Boy award was given to Grant Case from Lake Springs 4-H Club. Outstanding Girl was awarded to Hannah Miller of West Side 4-H Club.
Supporters of 4-H were then recognized. This year’s Friend of 4-H award went to Cami Barnitz-Chapman of Networth Feeds. Outstanding Project Leader was given to Crystal Trosper of Green Forest 4-H.
Glenn then spoke about how important the club leadership is to 4-H.
“You ladies are the backbone of our clubs. Making sure information is passed on to your members, community service projects, parent involvement and all the things in between. These ladies are busy. I appreciate you all and couldn’t do this without you,” said Glenn. “There is no way I could narrow this award down to one leader. In my book, you are all outstanding leaders.”
After applause, Glenn then thanked Nancy Major, who is retiring as a club leader.
“Her dedication to her club and its members was apparent. I can’t thank her enough for all her help, and I know that her hard work is appreciated. She will be missed, but we know she’s just a phone call away. Thank you, Nancy.”
2022 4-H Recognition Night Awards:
Outstanding Boy: Grant Case, Lake Springs 4-H
Outstanding Girl: Hannah Miller, Westside 4-H
Outstanding Club Reporter: Josie Radford, Lake Springs 4-H
Outstanding Club Treasurer: Kallen Garrison, Green Forest 4-H
Outstanding Club Secretary: Neva Trosper, Green Forest 4-H
Outstanding Leader Award: Sharon Schafer, Nancy Major, Ashlee Cunningham, Jessica Radford, Krystal Sims and Angela Black.
Outstanding Project Leader: Crystal Trosper, Green Forest 4-H
Perfect Attendance Award: From Green Forest 4-H: Evelyn Bethel, Cooper Case, Aiden Matthess, Isabella Mutz, and Emeri Yates. From Lake Spring 4-H: Thomas Vogel, Greta Vogel, Charlie Vogel, and Ella Yates. From Westside 4-H: Isabella Black, Charlee Duncan, Courtney Miller, Emily Miller, Makynna Miller, and Tierra Warden. From Spring Creek 4-H: Lori Terrill and Abbi Terrill.
Project Record Book Awards: Blue Seal: Harley Camden, Thomas Vogel, Brayden Ganschinietz, Heather Easter, Greta Vogel, Brentlee Easter, Raven Gillam, Bella Easter, Charlee Duncan, and Isabella Stephens-Mutz. Red Seal Award: Ava Norris, Morgan Radford, and Isabella Black. White Seal Award: Bodie Ford, David Smith, Alaina Norris, and Josie Radford.
Leader Pins: Teen Leaders: Grace Brand, Isabella Black, Brooke Hayes, and Hannah Miller. First Year: Amy Terrill, Ted Cunningham, Trinity Lewis, Laura Cook, Carrie Thomas, Crystal Trosper, Lisa While, Jimmy Schafer, Jacob Schafer, Shauna Camden, Amber Yates, Danielle Vogel, Danielle Powell, Jef Vogel, and Amy Miller. Third Year: Ashlee Cunningham, Nathan Headrick. Fourth Year: Teel Wisdom, Krystal Sims. Fifth Year: Betty Kunkel and Jessica Radford. Sixth Year: Jennifer Gillam, Paul Gillam, and Matt Kunkel. Seventh Year: Judy Brand, Curt Miller, Beverly LuCerne, Levi LuCerne, and Mark Case. Eighth Year: Brad Smith. Ninth Year: Billy Schafer. 10th Year: Jennifer Lewis. 13th Year: Nancy Major, Donnie Major. 15th Year: Angela Black. 20th Year: Rusty Howard. 26th Year: Bambi Merrifield. 39th Year: Sharon Shafer.
