2005 Year in Review

4-H’ers and Clubs Honored At Achievement Night

Karen Atkinson presents Allie Huizenga with the 2005 Whiteside County 4-Her of the Year Award.

Kenny Benson and Kayla VenHuizen both of Cottonwood 4-H Club
and both from Morrison

Mary Ann Webb of Fulton 4-H'ers 4-H Club

Catherine Cooney and Danielle Cooney both of Hume Happy
Hustlers 4-H club and both from Deer Grove

Brittany Behrens of Sterling and Ashlee Dirks of Morrison of
Genesee Hillbillies 4-H, Top Secretary's Book

Meghan Ward and Katie Medema both of Leon Wide Awakes 4-H Club
and both from Prophetstown, Animal Care Award winners

John Benson

Source: Karen Atkinson, Community Worker, 4-H-Youth, 815-772-4075

Plaques, certificates, savings bonds, discs and pins were the scene at the 2005 4-H Achievement Night held in Morrison on Saturday, October 22, 2005. The evening was held to recognize the achievements of 4-H members and clubs during the 2004-2005 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. Abbey Baker of Prophetstown; Catherine Cooney of Deer Grove; Victoria Metzler of Sterling; and Krista Temple of Fulton were named 2005 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 2005 Outstanding 4-H’ers were: John Benson of Morrison and Allie Huizenga of Morrison. The top honor of the night, “The 4-H’er of the Year”, was given to Allie Huizenga. She received a savings bond sponsored by Farm Credit Services.

Clubs who were recognized for receiving the Award of Progress Patch were 4-H Latino of Sterling/Rock Falls; Cottonwood of Morrison; Fulton 4-H’ers Club of Fulton; Hume Happy Hustlers of Tampico; Leon Wide Awakes of Prophetstown; Lyndon Loyal Leaders of Lyndon; and Spring Valley Hay Shakers of Morrison. Clubs receiving the Award of Excellence Patch were: Cottonwood; and Leon Stickers.

Several individuals were honored for their contributions to the Whiteside County 4-H program. The 2005 Whiteside County 4-H “Very Important Person” (VIP) award winner was: John Mosher of Prophetstown. The Alumni Award winner was Kristi Huizenga of Morrison

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 2005 individual and special award winners were:

Jacob Baker – Leon Wide Awakes: Animal Sciences Blue Award; Plants and Soils Blue Award

Abbey Baker – Leon Wide Awakes: Personal Developmental Medal; Top First Year 4-H’er

Brittany Behrens – Genesee Hillbillies: Top Secretary Book

John Benson – Cottonwood: I Dare You Award; Key Award; 2005 Outstanding 4-H Member Award

Kenny Benson – Cottonwood: Animal Sciences Blue Award; Farmer’s National Bank Swine Award; I Dare You Award; Key Award; Record selected for state in Animal Sciences

Catherine Cooney – Hume Happy Hustlers: Abbie Huizenga Memorial Jr. Communicator Award; Food, Nutrition and Health Medal; Home and Family Medal; Personal Development Medal; Top First Year 4-H’er

Danielle Cooney – Hume Happy Hustlers: Food, Nutrition and Health Medal; Personal Development Medal; 2005 4-H Communications Contest Winner, Foods Demonstration

Ashlee Dirks – Genesee Hillbillies: Top Secretary Book

Allie Huizenga – Garden Plain Ripsnorters: Animal Sciences Blue Award; Farmer’s National Bank Beef Award; Record selected for state in Animal Sciences; 2005 4-H Communications Contest Winner, Formal Speech; 2005 Outstanding 4-H Member Award; 2005 WHITESIDE COUNTY 4-H’ER OF THE YEAR

Joshua Landis – Genesee Hillbillies: 2005 4-H Communications Contest Winner, Illustrated Speech

Kaleb Medema – Leon Wide Awakes: Animal Sciences Blue Award; Farmer’s National Bank Beef Award

Katie Medema – Leon Wide Awakes: Animal Sciences Blue Award; Community Involvement and Global Understanding Medal; Farmer’s National Bank Sheep Award; Food, Nutrition and Health Medal; 2005 Animal Care Award – Junior Division - $50 Savings Bond

Victoria Metzler – Genesee Hillbillies: Top First Year 4-H’er

Karl Miller – Leon Stickers: Animal Sciences Blue Award; Farmer’s National Bank Horse Award; 2005 4-H Communications Contest Winner, Formal Speech

Samantha Nye – Spring Valley Hay Shakers: Key Award; IFYFE Participation Award – for her trip to Australia

Krista Temple – Garden Plain Ripsnorters: Top First Year 4-H’er

Kayla VenHuizen – Cottonwood: Mary Catlett Memorial Award – Top Visual Arts Exhibit

Meghan Ward – Leon Wide Awakes: 2005 Animal Care Award – Senior Division - $100

Mary Ann Webb – Fulton 4-H’ers: 2005 Golden Needle Award

by  Editor, theCity1.com
November 2, 2005