| 4-H
Achievement Award winners are named
Junior winners are Chloe Rowland, Aidan Acton and Sydney Rylaarsdam-Schoo. In the intermediate category are Anna Kaschmitter, Sydney Andrews, Lauren Goldman and Rachel Kelley. Senior honorees include Mitchel Nuxoll, Selena Davila and Elizabeth Orgish. According to Idaho County 4-H director Susie Heckman, during the year, club leaders keep track of all of the members’ activities, giving points for their participation. “Club leaders submit their top point earners to the 4-H Extension office at the end of the 4-H year,” she explained. “The top point earners from all of the 4-H clubs in the county are given to the 4-H Program Council and the 4-H Achievement Award winners are selected.” Heckman said the purpose of the achievement award is to recognize 4-H’ers who exemplify the goals of the Idaho County 4-H Program. Emphasis for the award includes overall achievement, leadership and citizenship. 4-H leader of the year went to Debbie Kelley with Rough Riders 4-H Club. “My favorite thing about 4-H is that I get to have fun with my friends,” she said. “Because of 4-H, I have the chance to meet with friends to go learn and do new things that I wouldn’t otherwise get to. I also like to be able to express myself through my different projects and activities — I get to be creative.” Rowland said 4-H is “really fun and I loved all of my projects this year. I am happy that my mom and dad are leaders in our 4-H club so it’s our family thing” “My favorite thing about 4-H is I get to learn about lots of different subjects, such as all my projects this year — horse, swine, chicken, dog and Lego,” he said. Acton said he learned how to work on a team. “I think that I wouldn’t be able to do 4-H without lots of help from people,” he added. “My favorite thing about 4-H is going to all the meetings and helping with community service,” she said. “I also love the spring show and fair — it’s the best part of the year. “ She said she has learned to, “Always try your best and never stop showing.” “My favorite thing about 4-H is I get to meet new people and learn about leadership,” she said. “I have learned I can appreciate myself for who I am, and I can help younger kids with their projects.” “4-H gives me a great sense of satisfaction and pride in my accomplishments,” she said. “I know that hard work speaks for itself and in my future there will be benefits to learning that concept now.” “In 4-H I like the interaction that I get to have with the young members in my 4-H club and being able to see how happy they are when they show me their ribbons and accomplishments,” she said. “The 4-H program puts older members in a place of both leadership and apprenticeship. I have greatly enjoyed being a part in the younger members’ 4-H experiences as well as having leaders have such a vital role in my life and 4-H decisions.” “My favorite things about 4-H are the fair and the horse show when I get to see how all my hard work has paid off and seeing how I can improve for the next year,” Kelley said. “Also, I get to meet people who I wouldn’t have met elsewhere. I have also gained so many life skills such as leadership and public speaking.” Kelley said she has learned that the leadership qualities she has gained through 4-H aren’t just used in 4-H but also in everyday life. “I have also learned that when times get tough to hang in there, keep a smile on your face and to not give up,” she said. “My favorite thing about 4-H is getting the opportunity to socialize and make new friends,” he said. He has said he has also learned he likes leading and being in charge. “Through 4-H I have learned many things about myself,” Davila said. “I realized that I am good under stress, enjoy trying new things and love helping others whenever I can. 4-H has been one of the greatest experiences of my life and I plan on enjoying the next three years to the fullest.” “There are so many things that I like about 4-H,” Orgish said. “It has given me the opportunity to meet new people, help 4-H’ers and other people with their animals, serve my community, and help people in other countries. 4-H has also help build my confidence in public speaking. I think though, my favorite thing about 4-H is working with my animals — rabbit, cat, chicken and duck — to prepare them for fair and then seeing all my hard work pay off when I show them.” “I would like to thank my 4-H leader, Mrs. Thanstrom, for being a wonderful leader and great example to follow,” she added. “My favorite part of 4-H is watching young people learn skills that will benefit them with their futures. I watch them improve every year and gain confidence. I’ve watch many kids struggle with a project but stick it out and complete the project. I love seeing the pride they have when it is completed,” Kelley said. “I was involved in 4-H as a kid and have some great memories from that time. I wanted my kids to have the same experiences so that is how it started. As a leader I really try to encourage our members to have confidence, be respectful, and try not to take ourselves too seriously,” she added. “I hope they can look back on this time in our club with pride and great memories all the while improving their skills and becoming well-rounded young adults.” “I am truly honored to win this award,” Kelley said. “There are many amazing leaders in our county who are very dedicated to helping our youth better themselves year after year. I am blessed to be a part of a great group with very supportive parents, great kids and an awesome project leader, Lisa Canaday.” |
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