Wayne County 4-H youth, volunteers honored at annual banquet
The Wayne County 4-H program recognized its members and volunteers at the 20th annual Recognition Banquet Nov. 10 at the Wayne County Fair Events Center. More than 500 guests were in attendance for the movie-themed event making it the largest recognition banquet in the program’s history.
Riley Stull received the Excellence in 4-H Award, the most prestigious honor for a Wayne County 4-H’er. She also received awards for her first-place finish as a senior outstanding breeding sheep exhibitor and second-place finish as an outstanding market swine exhibitor.
Stull is a sophomore at The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute and has been involved in 4-H for 14 years. She is the daughter of Brad and Molly Stull. As a 4-H’er, she took sheep, goat, dairy cattle and swine projects. She showcased her leadership skills by being a camp counselor, superintendent of the Wayne County Junior Fair Swine Committee and Junior Fair Queen.
Her most important role in 4-H, according to the nomination form, was serving as a role model and assisting younger members with their projects.
The Excellence in 4-H Award is presented to youth who have demonstrated excellence in overall leadership, 4-H projects and activities and continued growth and interest in 4-H.
Honored with the Meritorious Service Award were Cherie Smith and Jake and Kerilynn Jagger.
Smith has served as a 4-H volunteer for more than 36 years, opening her home to many 4-H’ers working on Family and Consumer Sciences projects. She also helps with sewing camp. “She has taught many children to be excellent sewers,” according to the nomination form submitted by Priscilla Sprang. Smith also has helped with dairy and goat clinics and is an organizational adviser for Apple Creek Wide Awake 4-H Club and a member of the Building 10 and 4-H Advisory committees.
“She is quiet but will stand up for 4-H members’ ideas,” said Doug Foxx, Ohio State University 4-H Educator for Wayne County in presenting the award. “She is a hard worker and always willing to step up to help get things done properly.”
The Jaggers, in addition to serving on 4-H committees, have been adult staff for Wayne County 4-H Camp for more than a decade. Jake Jagger leads the Campfire Committee, “and helps counselors come up with fun and creative ideas to make campfires entertaining and memorable,” Foxx said. “Kerilynn serves as camp photographer and creates amazing slideshows for the end of camp along with running errands and helping with all kinds of things throughout camp. Both Jake and Kerilynn are supportive of 4-H throughout the year, always being there for us at events like project judgings, skillathons, Junior Fair Board meetings and more.”
Jake Jagger also received his 10-year volunteer pin.
Honored for years of service to Wayne County 4-H programs
Volunteers recognized for 40 years or more years of service were Sandra Gordon, 55 years; Priscilla Sprang, 53 years; Sharon Emler, 51 years; Dave Emler, 49 years; Dave Stahl, Miriam Zech and David Zech, all 45 years; Karla Forrer, 41 years; and Barbara Guthrie, 40 years.
Other volunteers earning pins were 30 years - Bradley Stull; 25 Years - Staci Badger, Donald McConnell and Matthew Rupp, Melissa Rupp; 20 years - Jeremiah Johnson and Rhonda Oser; 15 years - Jerry Badger, Heidi Bair, Jody Bair, Alyssa Mack and Michele Matteson, Kristin Mensching, Debra Schaffer and Tina Vodika; 10 years - Christie Deusenberry, Jennifer Frank, Stephanie Roberts, Melissa Rossiter and Tiffany Stansfield; five years - Abigail Werstler: one year - Kelton Bair, Stacy Clippinger and Brandy Lynn Napier, Garrett Ramsier, Laurie Tarleton, Jody Troyer, Randy Wharton and Chad Zimmerly.
Recognized as winners of the Showman of Showmen Contest were Grace Gunkleman, grand champion, and Jenna Zimmerly, reserve grand champion.
Outstanding 4-H program exhibitor awards presented
Outstanding Exhibitor Awards were presented to youth who go above and beyond with their livestock projects both in and out of the show ring. Scores were based on an educational poster, outstanding exhibitor exam, project record book, showmanship placing and breed or market class placing.
A champion and reserve champion exhibitor was selected in each species, along with age division winners. They were as follows:
Outstanding dog exhibitors: Sophie Crosby, champion, and Lucas Frary, reserve champion. Intermediate - Tara Tate, first; Junior - Alondra Stroh, first.
Outstanding market beef exhibitors: Owen Bailey, champion, and Chase Wharton, reserve champion. Senior - Carly Csapo, first; Kya Csapo, second; and Raelana Moore, third; Intermediate - Mallory Kendle, first; Kaitlynn Baker, second; Madicyn Rupp, third; Junior - Maverick Kendle, first; and Cooper Froelich, second.
Outstanding breeding beef exhibitors: Jillian Johnson, champion, and Madelynn Baney, reserve champion; senior - Carly Csapo, first; McKenna Baney, second; and Kya Csapo, third; intermediate - Kaitlynn Baker, first; Kinze McKelvey, second; and Haylee McKelvey, third.
Outstanding dairy exhibitors: Mallory Kendle, champion, and Regan Shockey, reserve champion; first-year champion - Cecilia Ellerbrock; senior - Carissa Pittman, first; Kelly Hawvermale, second; Elizabeth Howman, third; Intermediate - Grady Ellerbrock, first; Brooke Compson, second; and Lillian Boreman, third; junior - Landon Ellerbrock, first; Matthew Taylor, second; Ray Sloan, third.
Outstanding market goat exhibitors: Makenna Connelly, champion, Emmay Connelly, reserve champion; Senior - Olivia Stoudmire, first; Grace Gunkelman, second; Kaleb Badger, third; Intermediate - Madicyn Rupp, first; Mika Jagger, second; and Addyson Connelly, third; Junior - Mallory Johnson, first; Riley Mullet, second; and Mason Rupp, third.
Outstanding breeding goat exhibitor: Olivia Stoudmire, champion, and Reiley Evans, reserve champion; senior - Mason Johnson - first; Intermediate - Noah Stoll, first; Mika Jagger, second; and Jenna Zimmerly, third; junior - Mallory Johnson, first; Miya Loy, second; and Margo Johnson, third.
Outstanding horse exhibitors: Sara Heeter, champion, and Kaitlynn Baker, reserve champion; senior - Amanda Katz, first; Samuel Bohner, second; Julia Browning, third; intermediate - Taran Tate, first; Olivia Sears, second; and Parker Clippinger, third; junior - Lauren Lightfoot, first; Hannah Lightfoot, second; and Julia Westover, third.
Outstanding market poultry exhibitors: McKensie McCoy, champion, and Halea Taylor, reserve champion; senior - Garrett Troyer, first; Julianna Plessinger, second; and Madison Wade, third; intermediate - Aiden Rusmisel, first; Kate Johnson, second; and Kai Kerstetter, third; junior - Mallory Johnson, first; and Margo Johnson, second.
Outstanding breeding sheep exhibitors: Brynn Shearer, champion, and Rebekah Carr, reserve champion; senior - Mason Johnson, second; and Kaleb Badger, third; intermediate - Kora Gardner, first; junior - Elena Plessinger, first; Brock Shearer, second; and Mallory Johnson, third.
Outstanding market lamb exhibitors: Brynn Shearer, champion, and Brock Shearer, reserve champion; senior - Cole Walenciak, first; Kaleb Badger, second; and Cameron Carr, third; intermediate - Kaitlyn Carr, first; Katie Johnson, second; Kora Gardner, third; junior - Karlee Rupp, first; Caylee Zimmerly; second; and Mallory Johnson, third.
Outstanding market swine exhibitors: Emma West, champion, and Makenna Connelly, reserve champion; senior - Jo Bailey, first; Kaleb Badger, third; intermediate - Austin Patterson, first; Addyson Connelly, second; and Parker Clippinger, third; junior - Chase Wharton, first; Kylie Patterson, second; and Mason Rupp, third.
Outstanding market rabbit exhibitors: Jenna Zimmerly, champion, and Mckenna Baney, reserve champion; senior - Mckenna Baney, first, and Garrett Troyer, second; intermediate - Jenna Zimmerly, first, and Addison Troyer, second.
Earning awards for outstanding record books were: Beef - Chase Wharton; Dairy - Matthew Taylor; Dog - Taran Tate; Goat - Addyson Connelly, Emmalee Connelly, Makenna Connelly, Alexa Howard and Josh Howard; Horse - Taran Tate, Poultry - Josh Howard; Market Swine - Addyson Connelly, Emmalee Connely, Makenna Connelly and Chase Wharton.
Wayne County award medial recipients
County award medals recipients were: Achievement, Matthew Taylor and Addyson Connelly ; Beef - Jillian Johnson; Clothing and Textiles, Lily Lehman and Bethany George; Dairy - Olivia Warren and Matthew Taylor; Goat - Addison Troyer, Lily Lehman and Makenna Connelly; Healthy Living - Eilee Mumaw; Leadership - Olivia Warren, Addyson Connelly and Emma Connelly; Poultry - Garrett Troyer, Charlie Tenney and Megan Tenney; Rabbit - Garrett Troyer, Jenna Zimmerly and Addison Troyer; Swine - Makenna Connelly and Emma Connelly; and Technology and Engineering - Josiah Parks.
Outstanding Junior Leader awards went to Karissa Clark, Kayleigh Molnar, Marley Snyder and Makenna Stansfield
Ten clubs received Star awards for excellence in the areas of club organization, club activities and meetings, and involvement in county, state and national activities. Recipients were Apple Creek Wide-A-Wake, Clinton Lads ‘N’ Lassies, Country Critters, Country Strong, County Line Clovers, Dalton-Kidron Big 4, Smithie Whiz Kids, Sugar Creek Gang, Wayne County Trail Blazers.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Wayne County 4-H welcomes more than 500 guests to banquet
