2004 Year in Review

4-H'ers and Clubs Achievement Night

Kenny Benson of Morrison and member of Cottonwood 4-H Club was the 2004 4-H'er of the Year.

Allie Huizenga of Morrison winner of the $100 Senior Animal Care Award at Achievement Night.

Ethan Ward of Prophetstown winner of the $50 Savings Bond for Junior Animal Care Award.

Ashlee Dirks of Genesee Hillbillies 4-H Club receiving the Golden Needle Award.

Whiteside County 4-H Club Leaders being recognized at Achievement Night.

2004-2005 Whiteside County 4-H Federation officers being installed.

Whiteside County 4-H'ers receiving awards.

Genesee Hillbillies 4-H Club was awarded the 2004 4-H Club of the Year.

Plaques, certificates, savings bonds, discs and pins were the scene at the 2004 4-H Achievement Night held in Morrison on Saturday, October 23, 2004. The evening was held to recognize the achievements of 4-H members and clubs during the 2003-2004 4-H year.

Top awards were given to many outstanding youth from across the county. The Top First Year Members are selected based on outstanding achievement during their first year of 4-H membership. Brandy Behrens, Sterling; Ryan Dykstra, Morrison; Shannon Klausing, Prophetstown; Ivy Peterson, Sterling; and Adam Young, Sterling were named 2004 Top First Year 4-H Members.

A much more demanding competition for older 4-H members is involved with the selection of the Outstanding 4-H’ers and 4-H’er of the Year. The members named as Outstanding 4-H’ers have excelled in leadership and achievement in club and county work. The 2004 Outstanding 4-H’ers were: Kenny Benson, Morrison; Allie Huizenga, Morrison; Bryce Young, Sterling; and Chad Young, Sterling. The top honor of the night, “The 4-H’er of the Year”, was given to Kenny Benson. He received a savings bond sponsored by Farm Credit Services.

The Genesee Hillbillies 4-H Club was recognized for receiving 2004 State 4-H Club Group Awards in Food, Nutrition and Health, and Personal Development.

Clubs who were recognized for receiving the Award of Progress Patch were Cottonwood of Morrison; Fulton 4-H’ers Club of Fulton; Genesee Hillbillies of Coleta-Sterling; Hume Happy Hustlers of Tampico; Leon Stickers of Prophetstown; Leon Wide Awakes of Prophetstown; and Spring Valley Hayshakers of Morrison. Clubs receiving the Award of Excellence Patch were: Cottonwood, Genesee Hillbillies and Leon Stickers.

The Genesee Hillbillies 4-H Club of Coleta-Sterling was the recipient of the top club honor of the night, “The 2004 4-H Club of the Year.” This club received the honor based on overall achievement, family involvement, and dedication to the community and 4-H program. Some of their activities included focuses on Environment and Natural Resources; Food, Nutrition and Health; Personal Development; Child Fair; Softball; Illinois Dairy Promotion Achievement Award; Window Display; and Community Service.

Several individuals were honored for their contribution to the Whiteside County 4-H program. The 2004 Whiteside County 4-H “Very Important Person” (VIP) award winners were: Mark Krum of Morrison and Stephen Gowan of Morrison. The Alumni Award winner was Linda Dirks of Prophetstown.

The 4-H members and clubs put forth time and dedication all year in order to achieve honors. The honors were given in various areas to members from throughout the county. The 2004 individual and special award winners were:
Jacob Baker – Leon Wide Awakes: Animal Sciences Medal; and Plants and Soils Medal.
John Benson – Cottonwood: Mary Catlett Memorial Award – Top Visual Arts Exhibit.
Kenny Benson – Cottonwood: Animals Sciences Blue Award; Plants and Soils Medal; Record selected for state in Animal Sciences; Record selected for state in Plants and Soil; 2004 Whiteside County 4-H’er of the Year.
Michael Benson – Cottonwood: Community Involvement and Global Awareness Medal.
Brandy Behrens – Genesee Hillbillies: Top First Year 4-H’er.
Danielle Cooney – Hume Happy Hustlers: Abbie Huizenga Memorial Jr. Communicator Award.
Ashlee Dirks – Genesee Hillbillies: 2004 4-H Golden Needle Award; and Secretary of the Year.
Ryan Dykstra – Cottonwood: Top First Year 4-H’er.
Allie Huizenga – Fenton Wizards: Animal Sciences Blue Award; Record selected for state in Animal Sciences; 2004 Animal Care Award – Senior Division - $100; 2004 Outstanding 4-H Member Award; 2004 4-H Communications Contest Winner, Formal Speech; and Farmer’s National Bank Beef Award.
Shannon Klausing – Leon Wide Awakes: Top First Year 4-H’er.
Patricia Lawrenz – Genesee Hillbillies: Personal Development Medal; and 2004 4-H Communications Contest Winner, Illustrated Speech.
Jacob Landis – Genesee Hillbillies: 2004 4-H Communications Contest Winner, Original Works.
Kaleb Medema – Leon Wide Awakes: Animal Sciences Blue Award; and Farmer’s National Bank Sheep Award.
Katie Medema – Leon Wide Awakes: Animal Sciences Medal.
Karl Miller – Leon Stickers: Animal Sciences Blue Award; Farmer’s National Bank Horse Award; and 2004 4-H Communications Contest Winner, Formal Speech.
Emelia Peterson – Genesee Hillbillies: Farmer’s National Bank Dairy Award.
Ivy Peterson – Genesee Hillbillies: Top First Year 4-H’er.
Ethan Ward – Leon Wide Awakes: 2004 Animal Care Award – Junior Division - $50 Savings Bond.
Adam Young – Genesee Hillbillies: Top First Year 4-H’er.
Bryce Young – Genesee Hillbillies: Outstanding 4-H Member Award.
Chad Young – Genesee Hillbillies: Outstanding 4-H Member Award.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
November 1, 2004