'Happy New 4-H Year!'

Texas 4-H aligns the new program year with most school calendars. This led to our annual county 4-H awards banquet in August and the new year officially kicking off in September with our county-wide showcase event, which was held on Saturday. What a year is has been, and what great things are happening now as we look forward to the program opportunities and outstanding project work that has already begun by our members!

I’d like to start off by congratulating the recipients of our awards program. The banquet was held on Aug. 31 and had approximately 110 people in attendance. “Seeds of Success, Cultivating Excellence in every Endeavor,” was the theme chosen by the banquet committee. The program was led by the Coryell County 4-H Ambassador team with Kinlee Gardner serving as mistress of ceremonies.

The 2024-2025 Junior and Senior Ambassador Teams were introduced while their work was highlighted in a slide show assembled by Texas 4-H Master Photographer Braidy Lusk. This year’s junior team includes the following members: Allie McPherson, Charles Yarbrough, Chelsea Johnson, Eve Fulton, Jozie Wolff, Kylie Caraway, Mary Mitchell, Noah Haag, Pete Wallace, Colt Brookshire, and Troy Ponder.

Serving as Seniors Ambassadors are Anna McPherson, Bailey Wolff, Braidy Lusk, Caleb Mannix, Charels Belt, Chase Janke, Clancy Archie, Cooper Dickey, Dutch Nielsen, Hunter Beaty, Jeret Burks, Kace Laster, Kinlee Gardner, Kinsley McPherson, Lane Brookshire, Lillie Mann, Lilly Kinsey, Lily Nielsen, Makaylie Williams, Mia Conley, Thomas Belt, and Zak Huckabee.

The objectives of the County 4-H Ambassador program include:

• Helping youth develop leadership and communication skills.
• Helping the public understand the full scope of the 4-H program and recruiting new members from diverse backgrounds.

Goals

• To tell and show key audiences what the 4-H Youth Development Program is and who it impacts, so that these audiences will understand the impact of 4-H on the lives of young people and will see how it addresses key youth issues in the community and state.
• To develop leadership and communication skills among the 4-Hers selected to make ambassador presentations and to make families and youth more aware of 4-H and the benefits it offers.

The following awards were earned by students who were selected for special recognition from their upstanding project work, their 4-H record books, and an interview conducted by out-of-town judges very knowledgeable about the 4-H program.

The Bronze Star award is designed to recognize the outstanding achievements of our junior 4-H members in third through fifth grade. This is the highest award a member may receive in the junior age division. The two recipients, Kylie Caraway and Charles Yarbrough are both high achievers with bright futures in 4-H.

The Silver Star and All-Star Awards were presented to the top Intermediate aged youth in grades six through eight. The Silver Star is the highest award, and it was earned by Chelsea Johnson and Braidy Lusk. Being recognized as All Stars were Thomas Belt, Lilly Mann, Lilly Kinsey, Kace Laster, Allie McPherson, Jozie Wolff, Mary Mitchell and Eve Fulton.

Several outstanding seniors were recognized, including the students who did an outstanding job in their interview. Those members were Kinlee Gardner, Lily Nielsen, and Cooper Dickie. Zak Huckabee was awarded the top Community Service award for his many hours spent as a servant leader. Receiving Super Star awards were Makaylie Williams, Clancy Archie, Chase Janke, Bailey Wolff, Charles Belt, Anna McPherson, Lane Brookshire, and Kinlee Gardner. The Danforth I Dare You Leadership Award was presented to Jeret Burks and Dutch Nielsen. This award challenges these young leaders to propel their leadership to the next level.

The top honor any 4-H member may receive at the county level is the Gold Star Award. It is awarded to our most active, involved members who excel in leadership and service in their communities and beyond. These winners received a $200 scholarship, a state gold star pin and certificate, and an embroidered jacket. Earning the Gold Star Awards were Caleb Mannix and Kinsley McPherson. These two young leaders are both outstanding teen leaders as they both serve as state 4-H Ambassadors and volunteer to coach younger 4-H members in their respective project areas. They are shining examples of all-around outstanding youth in our community.

The annual County wide 4-H Kickoff event was held Sept. 7 at the Gatesville Civic Center. Each club had a booth promoting 4-H project areas. This year the county will have fifteen clubs from which to choose. Members may join multiple clubs depending upon their project interests. Club meetings are in full swing this month. A complete schedule of meetings can be found at Coryell.agrilife.org in the 2024-25 Membership Guide.

For more information about 4-H in Coryell County, contact us at 254-865-2414.