By Ashley Fenning
Extension 4-H Assistant
On Sunday, November 5 the Box Butte County 4-H Council held its annual 4-H Achievement Banquet at 4 p.m. at the Multipurpose Hall in Hemingford. This event saw a new format, as the theme was Casino Night. Family and friends gathered to play games and enjoy some much-needed fellowship time while still recognizing the achievements of our 4-H members, Clover Kids, leaders, volunteers, and friends of 4-H.
The Box Butte County 4-H Council held their election to vote for two new 4-H Council members to the board. Members elected to the 2024 4-H Council are Shauna Meyring and Alishia Intermill. Youth members chosen are Gavin Bell, Makenna Quick and Rozlyn Wills.
We next recognized our Clover Kids: Colette Arneson, Amos Daugherty, Charlotte Draper, Phoenix Draper, Baylie Hausman, Terryn Heupel, Dani Bixby, Brextyn Bolek, Caden Dubs, Mara Foster, Kinslee Hansen, Slade Harris, Wyatt Harwood, Marshall Moseman, Ethan Robbins, Wyatt Schumacher, Clara Seeley, Madelyn Seeley, Bristol Underwood, Gwen Wimmer and Augustus Woltman.
Next all 4-H members were recognized for either being a part of a club or an independent member, and the 2023 4-H graduate members were then recognized. These youth include Catherine Bryner, Delaney Childers, Avery Davies, Jett Eggers, Keagan Hitchcock, Hayden McDonald, and Jayda Meyring. Special recognition went to Sierra Banks as she was recognized for being a 4-H member for 10 years. Volunteers were recognized as first, fifth, tenth, or fifteenth-years of service. These include Sarah Bell, Steve Blakey, Bryant Quick, Jamie Quick, and Courtney Wills.
Youth who completed an Achievement Application were next recognized. In our Senior level, Ashley Carr received a pin in Companion Animal, Horticulture & Dairy Goat. Sierra Banks received a pin in Dog & Communication Arts.
The Little Critters 4-H Club received The Club of Excellence Award and Nancy Leider was awarded the Outstanding Leader Award.
Our Small Animal Herdsmanship winners were, James Lanier-Rabbit, Katrina Karell-Poultry and Ayla Foster-Overall Little Red Barn Herdsman. In the Livestock Barn Trydon Sorensen was awarded the Sheep Herdsman Award, Goat Herdsman was Ayla Foster, Swine Herdsman was Jayda Meyring & Seth Meyring, and Beef Herdsman was Paisley Intermill. Addison Intermill was the Overall Livestock Barn Herdsman for 2023. Thank you to all our award donors who sponsor Herdsmanship: John and Debbie Thomas, SC Party Productions, John & Carolyn Annen, Antioch Machine, Alliance Animal Clinic, Chester Ranch and Ackerman Ag.
Next, we awarded our All-Around Awards. Youth apply for these awards and get points for participation at the county, state and national level. Emily Johnston was the All-Around Small Animal and FCS winner, and Ashley Carr was the All-Around Livestock recipient. Thank you to our sponsors, Sandhills State Bank, Larry & Barb Grant and the Ida and Lyle Fodnes Memorial.
Box Butte County Junior Leaders recognized Kevin Johnston, with the Heart of 4-H Award. Kevin is the Livestock Barn Superintendent, and oversees keeping the barn running smoothly during fair and weigh-ins.
This year the members of the 4-H Council awarded the Friend of 4-H award to Farmers Coop.
The last two awards that were given include the “I Dare You” Award and Outstanding 4-H member. Ashley Carr was the recipient of the “I Dare You” Award for demonstrating high personal integrity, kindness, responsibility, and leadership roles. The Outstanding 4-H member was awarded to Rozlyn Wills. This year we asked 4-H club leaders, families, and volunteers to nominate a Senior Level 4-H youth for this award based on their leadership skills, community service, and project accomplishments in and outside of 4-H.
Congratulations to all our winners, 4-H participates and volunteers on a great 2022-2023 4-H Year!
If you are interested in becoming a 4-H member in Box Butte County contact the Extension Office at 762-5616 or stop by the office, we are located at 415 Black Hills Ave in Alliance.
4-H Enrollment for the 2023-2024 year is open now! Visit 4honline.com to enroll or reenroll!