Congratulations!!! (Achievement Celebration Results)

A crowd of close to 200 gathered at the Waseca American Legion on Sunday, November 14, 2010 to celebrate Waseca County 4-H. Many awards were given to youth leaders, adult leaders and community supporters for their accomplishments and support.

Youth awards were given to:

• Andi Zimmerman, Megan Manthey - Minnesota 4-H Key Award
• Erin Larson, Emily Riihl - the “I Dare You” Award for showing emerging youth leadershi
• Sabrina Huebl - Outstanding Horse Project Member Awar
• Katie McNab – Horse Project Service Above Self Awar
• Joseph Barbknecht – Outstanding Club Treasurer
• Kortney Cummins – Outstanding Club Secretary
• Alicia Merritt, Jill Larson – The “Matt Hines Spirit of 4-H” Award

Awards were presented to the youth who had the top livestock interviews at the county fair. Each species awarded a champion in each age division (Junior – 3rd-5th grade; Intermediate – 6th-8th grade; and Senior – 9th grade and up). The top interviews were:

• Beef - Kelsey Haley, Trevor Beckstrand, Jonathon Crouch
• Dairy - Erin Larson, Zachary Janike, Emma Kruger
• Dog - Sarah Manthey, Josse Crouch, Camielle Rykhus
• Goat - Rachel Abraham, Jill Larson
• Horse - Sabrina Huebl, Abby Sankovitz, Emily Hildebrandt
• Lama - Sarah Manthey
• Poultry - Sarah Manthey, Paige Hildebrandt, Emily Hildebrandt
• Rabbit - Katie McNab, Abby Sankovitz, Eric Sankovitz
• Sheep – Erin Larson, Jessica Nafe, TJ Sommers
• Swine – Ryan Strobel, Jarrod Witt, Robert Jewett

The Waldorf Peppy Peppers 4-H club received a $20 cash award for receiving Champion Herdsmanship at the 2010 Waseca County Fair.

1st year members received a certificate for joining 4-H. They included:

• Bits & Spurs - Mikenze Prechel, Jadyn White
• Homegrown Explorers - Taylor Anderson, Theresa Breck, AJ Dickerson, Donovan Dickerson, James Dickerson, Hannah Fessel, Daniel Garman, Hannah Perry, Lydia Perry, Madelyn Perry, Rachel Perry, Andy Roessler, Eliza Sankovitz, Timothea Volkmer
• Iosco Livewires – Theodore Carlson
• Janesville Jacks & Jill's – Tyler Bauman, Hannah Ulmen, Benjamin Walechka
• Palmer Sunbeams - Damien Anderson, Donovan Anderson, Calvin Larson, Carley Larson, Colton Larson
• Riverside Ramblers – Dawson Harty, Jack Schumacher
• Vista Busy Bees – Jessica Stenzel
• Waldorf Peppy Peppers - Kilee Britton, Camden Courtney, Brooke Jahr, Andrew Miller, Walker Miller, Adam Peterson, Ralph Roesler

Many youth were also honored for excellence in 4-H record-keeping. Medals were awarded to youth who received a high score on their project records. They were Shelby Barbknecht, Arin Boese, Kortney Cummins, Bruce Harguth, Emily Hildebrandt, Paige Hildebrandt, Nick Jewison, Josh Johnson, Jill Kalis, Tatiana Krause, Erin Larson, Jill Larson, Nicole Larson, Justin Manthey, Katie Manthey, Megan Manthey, Sarah Manthey, Katie McNab, Alicia Merritt, Alex Merritt, Sadie Mortenson, Ryan Priebe, McKinsy Rew, Bethany Rykhus, Camielle Rykhus, Tanner Schweer, TJ Sommers, Luke Stangler, Jessica Stenzel, Lauren Summers, Lindsay Summers, Austin Witt, Jarrod Witt, and Chelsea Yock.

Cloverbuds, who are 4-H members in grades kindergarten – third grade, also completed 4-H records and were awarded a certificate. They included Grace Abraham, Tyler Bauman, Sophia Berry, Ethan Bluhm, Jorja Bluhm, Theodore Carlson, Camden Courtney, Jacob Crouch, Benjamin Diedrich, Matthew Feldkamp, Hannah Fessel, Noah Fiebiger, Brennon Hoffman, Brooke Jahr, Laura Jahr, Calvin Larson, Jay Lewer, Andrew Morgan, Rachel Perry, Annie Prigge, Eliza Sankovitz, Adam Schlueter, Jack Schumacher, Ethan Strenge, Ben Walechka, and Katey Witt.

Recognition was given to 4-H Camp attendees and counselors. They were Austin Baker, Billy Barbknecht, Emily Barbknecht, Allison Breck, Emily Breck, Zach Clayton, Benjamin Lewer, Katharine Lewer, Emily Hildebrandt, Kristen McKay, Avery Merritt, Austin Nagel, Tyler Raimann, Simon Sommers, TJ Sommers, Chris Stenzel, Luke Stenzel, Zach Stenzel, Kenny Strobel, Matthew Strobel, Aaron Walechka, Jackie Barbknecht, Shelby Barbknecht, Michaela Hansen, Erin Larson, Jill Larson, Tori Raimann, Ben Roycraft, and Andi Zimmerman.

Youth recognized for participating in Arts-In were: Kirsten Brenden, Monica Bye, Abby Eberline, Noah Fiebiger, Jennifer McKay, Marissa Mortenson, Sadie Mortenson, Kristy Possin, Michelle Possin, McKinsey Rew, Aaron Roessler, Emily Riihl, Caroline Scheffert, Kayla Schlaak, Samantha Snyder, Christian Stewart, SaraJo Stewart, Maci Surat, Maclain Tanner, Jadyn White, and Steve Scheffert the director who made the Arts-In event possible.

Receiving photo certificates for their attendance at 4-H leadership retreats were Michaela Hansen, Emily Riihl, Lindsay Summers, Lauren Summers, Marissa Mortenson, Allison Breck, Pete Guse, Erin Larson, Caroline Scheffert, Kristin Spinler, Katie McNab, and Julie Marquardt.

Youth receiving recognition for their contributions to the Waseca County 4-H program as graduating members included Peter Guse, Kelsey Haley, Megan Manthey, Derek Marzahn, Joe McNab, Emily Nelson, Tyler Rew, Ben Roycraft, Colton Schlaak, Ellie Stangler, and Andi Zimmerman.

The Waseca County 4-H Ambassadors are a group of youth in 7th grade and older who serve the 4-H program through assisting at events and promoting 4-H. The Ambassadors contributing the most service hours to 4-H events during the year were recognized with special awards. The ambassador with the most service hours was Erin Larson, who put in 164 hours. The “Rookie of the Year” award for the member in their first year of being an Ambassador went to Amy Beckstrand who put in 89 hours. Rounding out the top earners for service hours were Jill Larson with 156.5 hours, Shelby Barbknecht who had 132 hours, Alicia Merritt with 84.5 hours, Jamie Beckstrand with 78 hours, and Emily Riihl with 77.5 hours.

The 19 Ambassadors did a great job by putting in 1,346 hours of service during the 2009-2010 4-H Year, which is an average of over 70 hours per youth. Others recognized for being members of the Waseca County 4-H Ambassador program were Kortney Cummins, Michaela Hansen, Nick Jewison, Natalie Jewison, Katie Manthey, Julie Marquardt, Tori Raimann, Abby Sankovitz, Caroline Scheffert, Anna Schlaak, Lauren Summers, and Lindsay Summers

Youth new to the Ambassador Program for the 2010-2011 4-H year are Jackie Barbknecht, Trevor Beckstrand, Paige Hildebrandt, Tanyce Krause, Justin Manthey, Sarah Manthey, Kristen McKay, Alex Merritt, McKinsy Rew, and Brady Schumacher.

Adults and community friends of 4-H were also honored. Special awards were given to:

• Lori Weller - 4-H Alumni Award
• Fundraising Committee (Paula Kaupa, ShaLee White, and RaeLynn, Shelby, and Jackie Barbknecht) - Volunteers of the Year
• Steve Scheffert - Distinguished Service Award
• Connors Plumbing & Heating - Friend of 4-H Award

An award was presented for the “4-H Family of the Year.” Receiving this honor were Jim & RaeLynn Barbknecht, Shelby, Jackie, Joseph, Emily, and Billy of Waseca.

First Year Adult Volunteer Certificates of Leadership were awarded to Colleen Carlson, Cherri Neuschwander, and Jeff Neuschwander.

4-H Award of the Silver Clover for 5 years of serving as a volunteer was awarded to Cary Larson, David McNab, Pat McNab, Wes Riihl, Sarah Rykhus, Dale Schweer, and Julie Sommers.

4-H Award of the Gold Clover for 10 years of serving as a volunteer was awarded to Pam Schweer and Holly Walechka

4-H Award of the Pearl Clover for 15 years of serving as a volunteer was awarded to Connie Larson and Monica Meschke.

Recognition was also given to the 2009-2010 4-H Federation Board officers for their service and leadership: Jill Larson - President; Katie McNab - Vice President; Shelby Barbknecht - Secretary; Erin Larson – Youth at Large; Cary Larson – Adult Treasurer; and Tammy Haley, Monica Meschke, Gretchen Sankovitz, and Brenda Harguth - Adult Representatives.

New youth officers were installed for the 2010-2010 year. Leading the Waseca County 4-H Federation this year are: Shelby Barbknecht - President; Erin Larson - Vice President; Emily Riihl – Secretary; Samuel Jewett – Youth Treasurer, and Jackie Barbknecht - Officer at Large. Adult board members are: Cary Larson – Treasurer, Chuck Manthey, RaeLynn Barbknecht, Gretchen Sankovitz, and Brenda Harguth.

“The Purple Ribbon Club” Incentive Program for 4-H clubs awards clubs for participation in county, regional, state, and national 4-H events. Youth members earning recognition for finishing in the “Top 10%” of point earners out of all youth in the club program included McKinsy Rew – 200 points; Jarrod Witt, Abby Sankovitz, Katie McNab, and Benjamin Lewer – 205 points; Andi Zimmerman and Jessica Stenzel – 210 points; Lauren Summers – 215 points; Marissa Mortenson and Katie Manthey – 225 points; Avery Merritt – 255 points; Alex Merritt – 270 points; Caroline Scheffert – 300 points; Michaela Hansen – 310 points; Jackie Barbknecht – 340 points; Travis Beckstrand – 345 points; McKenzie Kaupa – 350 points; Trevor Beckstrand – 355 points; Emily Barbknecht – 375 points; Laura Jahr – 405 points; Billy Barbknecht – 410 points; Emily Riihl – 455 points; Brooke Jahr – 480 points; Jamie Beckstrand – 515 points; Jadyn White – 540 points; Amy Beckstrand – 590 points; Shelby Barbknecht – 605 points; Alicia Merritt – 735 points; and Erin Larson – 765 points. Finishing with the most points earned during the 2009-2010 4-H year was Jill Larson with 890 points.

Adult Volunteers and parents were also recognized for helping clubs earn points. The “Top 10” point earners for adults are Lori Weller – 70 points; Joy Riihl and Brenda Harguth – 85 points; Steve Scheffert – 90 points; Gretchen Sankovitz – 100 points; Cary Larson – 130 points; ShaLee White – 135 points; Marijo Beckstrand – 155 points; Connie Larson – 210 points; and Paula Kaupa – 290 points. Finishing with the most points earned for adults during the 2009-2010 4-H year was RaeLynn Barbknecht with 315 points.

The club named as the 1st place Purple Ribbon Club was the Riverside Ramblers. 2nd Place and a blue ribbon went to the Janesville Jacks & Jills 4-H Club, 3rd Place and a red ribbon went to the Palmer Sunbeams, and 4th place and a white ribbon went to the Vista Busy Bees.

Recognition was given to the community, business and parental support of the 4-H program. Thank you to all who continue to support the Waseca County 4-H Program in making the best better. The program ended with refreshments and a slide show.