Webster County 4-Hers recognized
By IAN SCHMIT Messenger staff writerThe annual Webster County 4-H Leaders Recognition and 4-H Awards Banquet was held Sunday at the Best Western Starlite Village with over 350 in attendance. The banquet is sponsored each year by the Webster County 4-H Foundation and the Webster County Extension Service.
The County 4-H Council introduced special guests and 4-H supporters. They also introduced the 4-H leaders for the past year who presented awards to members of their respective clubs for Junior, Intermediate and Senior Achievement and Outstanding Club Officers.
4-H awards of clover pins and certificates were presented for volunteers serving five, ten, fifteen and twenty years as a 4-H volunteer.
Five years of service to the 4-H program who received the silver clover pin include Deb Allard, Horse Project Leader, leader of the Douglas Dreamers and Badger Builders; Renee Anderson, leader of the Lost Grove Leaders; Jeni Burke, member of the Youth Committee; Tina Kastendieck, leader of the Elkhorn Earlybirds; Miles McCubbin, leader of the Callender Chargers.
Receiving a gold pin for 10 years of service were Lynette Heatherington, leader of the Elkhorn Eagles.
Other years of service: Bruce Long received an emerald pin for 25 years of service as Beef Superintendent to now serving as a poultry and rabbit leader.
Retiring volunteers were recognized for their service to the 4-H program. Retiring are: Jeni Burke, Youth Committee; Amy Donahe, leader of the Country Charmers; Rhonda Fitchett, Youth Committee; Janelle Hotz, Youth Committee; Roger Jameson, horse project; Kay Lundgren, leader of the Dayton Tigers; Cathy Mickelson, leader of the Dayton Tigers and Linda Welter, leader of the Callender Chargers.
County project awards were presented to the 4-H members by Extension staff members and the County Youth and 4-H Committee members. 4-Hers had to submit their record keeping materials in order to be considered for these awards. Citizenship, communication, and leadership were considered when selections were made.
Project award winners were: Kallen Anderson, Leadership, Food Preservation, Bread; Danielle Border, Fashion Revue; Laura Condon, Long Time Record Book, Agriculture; Kristin Delaney, Public Speaking, Long Time Record Book; Alex Dencklau, Dog, Long-time Record Book; Jeff Fosbender, Clothing Selection; Heather Ladlie, Clothing Selection; Allison Lansman, Home Improvement; Nichole Licht, Pets, Sheep; Kristin Lawler, Clothing, Rabbit, Agriculture; Joey Lennon, Child Development, Communications, Poultry; Aaron Martin, Beef; Matt Mitchell, Communications, Photography, Poultry, Tractor; Nolan Mitchell, Photography; Abby Peterson, Photography; Sara Rockow, Long Time Record Book; Sara Rethwisch, Food & Nutrition, Fashion Revue, Clothing Selection; Charlie Shelton, Clothing Selection; Jake Shelton, Photography, Long Time Record Book; Mitch Shelton, Visual Arts; Grant West, Sport Fishing.
Chicago award trip participants were Laura Condon, Kristin Delaney, Alex Dencklau and Nicole Sandven
Achievement award winners were: Kallen Anderson, Laura Condon, Alex Dencklau, Kristin Lawler, Nicole Sandven and Mitch Shelton.
The Outstanding Consumer Sciences award is given annually to a Senior 4-H'er and is based on consideration of the entire career of the member, including presentations at meetings, fair exhibits and citizenship activities. The 2008 award was presented to Kallen Anderson of Harcourt.
An award was given to nine 4-Hers for their extra work and dedication to the 4-H program. This award called the "4-H Spirit" Award was given at the Junior level to Rebecca Nellis of the Country Charmers; Breanna Pingel, Douglas Dreamers, Austin Stewart, Washington Winners; at the Intermediate level to Joey Lennon, Washington Winners, Nicole Licht, Johnson Jaguars, and Liz Welter, Gowrie Groundbreakers. Senior Level to Kallen Anderson, Lost Grove Leaders, Alexa Rittgers, Country Charmers, and Alex Dencklau, Badger Builders.
"I've gotten a lot out of 4-H," said Dencklau, "4-H will help you meet new friends. It'll teach you a lot of skills; how to communicate with people and look people in the eye."
College scholarships were presented. The Bill Coffey Memorial Scholarship was presented to Laura Condon of Barnum. Coffey was the Webster County Extension Director at the time of his death in 1993. The Virginia Bothe Memorial Scholarship was given to Nicole Sandven of Fort Dodge. Bothe was a long time supporter of the 4-H program and had served as Webster County Fair Secretary or Assistant Secretary for about 35 years. The Webster County Fairboard Scholarship, presented to Kim Sande of Gowrie. Other memorial scholarships awarded were: The Sharon Lemkau Memorial Scholarship given to Jacob Trunnell of Fort Dodge; the Willis Moeller Memorial Scholarship given to Kristin Delaney of Fort Dodge; a memorial scholarship was given to Alex Dencklau of Fort Dodge to recognize Rick Johnson and to Kallen Anderson of Harcourt to recognize MaryAnn Haase.
The 4-H alumni awards were presented to Cathy Mickelson of Lehigh and Loren Adam of Gowrie.
"It's exciting. It brings back memories," said Adam.
Adam has been involved with the sheep project while Mickelson has been a long-time leader of the Dayton Tigers 4-H club.
The final event of the evening was installation of two adults as Honorary 4-H members by the County Council. Two special people who were honored for their dedication and support to the Webster County 4-H program were MaryAnn and Howard Haase of Fort Dodge. MaryAnn Haase had been employed by the Webster County Extension Office from October 2004 till her death in June. Howard Haase continues to assist with 4-H by providing 4-H photography workshops, judging photography and working with the State 4-H Photography Camp.
"I'm very honored," said Howard Haase,."4-H is a very important part of my life. I'm very grateful."
Contact Ian Schmit at (515) 573-2141 or ischmit@messengernews.net
