Knox Co. 4-H Program Celebrates Achievements
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Submitted by Crystal Murr, 4-H Youth Program Associate
The Knox County 4-H Council hosted the annual Recognition event on Sunday afternoon, November 6, 2022, in the Knox County R-1 School District cafeteria. This event recognizes 4-H members and volunteers for their accomplishments and contributions to the Knox County 4-H program last year.
“Recognition is an important aspect of 4-H Youth Development programs,” says Crystal Murr, 4-H Youth Program Associate. “Guided by the Do, Reflect, Apply, model, it is necessary to reflect on our successes of the previous year in order to successfully move forward. Recognition events give youth members an opportunity to encourage and support their peers in their various projects. It also allows us to recognize our volunteers and show them how much they are appreciated. Local 4-H programs rely heavily on the role of volunteers to implement various projects and the support of our volunteers and community sponsors allows us to add significant value to our programs.”
Over 50 members, volunteers and community supporters came together to celebrate each other’s achievements and enjoy an ice cream sundae bar provided by host club, Liberty Leaders 4-H Club.
Special awards are given out for Motter Leader of the Year, Outstanding 4-H member, and Friend of 4-H. The Motter Leader of the Year Award was originally established in memory of Mr. Joe Motter. Mr. Motter was a long time 4-H volunteer in Knox County. Each year an outstanding leader is recognized for their efforts. They have not only performed all of the duties required of them by the 4-H organization but have gone above and beyond to become an outstanding leader. Ben Bradley was recognized as the 2022 Motter Leader of the Year for his contributions to the 4-H Shooting Sports program and his role as the smallbore rifle leader.
The Outstanding Member Award is presented to a member who has completed all of the requirements of club and county. They are active with all aspects of 4-H goals in the community.
Each club had the opportunity to submit a nomination, which is then drawn for a winner. This year’s winner was Bryant Western. Bryant is an active member of the Liberty Leaders 4-H Club for five years, and his projects include woodworking, beef, and he exhibits swine at the county and state levels. Bryant is the son of Joel and Megan Western of Edina.
The Knox County Friend of 4-H award recognizes outstanding individuals, businesses, or organizations for their contributions and dedication to the 4-H program. The First Christian Church of Edina was recognized for this award for generously supplying a space for the County Liners 4-H Club to meet free of charge, use of their kitchen facilities, and supporting the Knox County 4-H program.
Individuals who have created exceptional legacies of volunteer service and dedication to Missouri 4-H are recognized and honored with membership in the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame. Induction into the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame caps a lifetime of 4-H involvement. Individual nominees must have a minimum of twenty years of volunteer service to Missouri 4-H. For the past twenty years, Tonya Hamlin has served the Knox County 4-H program in a variety of roles, however she is most known for her contributions to the horse project and the Knox County 4-H/FFA Open Horse Show.
In a time when families are pulled in many directions by various commitments and extracurricular activities, attendance is especially important to get the most value out of 4-H programs. We recognized 16 members for perfect club meeting attendance last year: Blake Campbell, Hannah Campbell, Patrick Clark, Teddy Clark, Jason Devlin, Hallie Glasgow, Michaela Hettinger, Lane James, Lilah James, Hailey Luthenauer, Kayden Moore, Kalli Parrish, Karsen Parrish, Nora Penn, Bryant Western, and Marli Western.
In the State 4-H Fashion Revue Michaela Hettinger placed second in the Senior Division of Purchased Casual. This is Hettinger’s second year of participation in the 4-H State Fashion Revue.
Five horse project members were recognized for their participation in the Knox County 4-H/FFA Open Horse Show by Tonya Hamlin: Adalynn Doss, Mya Huffman, Lilah James, Reagan James, and Hailey Luthenauer.
Shooting sports project leaders Ben Bradley and Evan Glasgow recognized seven shooting sports members for their participation in out-of-county events: John Clark, Patrick Clark, Teddy Clark, Tucker Hall, Jaydin Hicks, Dominic Hultz, and Lane James.
Each club leader was also recognized for the many hours of service they provide as volunteers to the Knox County 4-H program and members. Recognized were: Helen Hettinger and Amanda Snyder, Colony, Casie James, County Liners, Bobbi Clark and Debra Campbell, Liberty Leaders. Also recognized were Clover Kids leaders Heather Holdren, County Liners, and Karisha Devlin, Liberty Leaders.
Knox County 4-H Council and Fair Board officers were recognized for their substantial contribution to the development of the 4-H program in Knox County. This may include monthly meetings, hours of committee work, event planning and execution, community service efforts, and more. The following officers were recognized for this past program year: Chase Brenizer – 4-H Council President, Samantha Parrish – Vice President, Amanda Snyder – Secretary, and Rachel Miller – Treasurer; Mike Ellison – 2021-2022 4-H/FFA Fair Board President, Helen Hettinger – Vice President, Amanda Snyder – Secretary, and Rachel Miller – Treasurer.
Upon completion of the event, the Liberty Leaders 4-H Club was recognized for having the greatest percentage of members at the event, followed by a drawing for several door prizes.