BOONE, Iowa—Over one hundred 4-H members and adult volunteers were honored for their achievements at the Boone County 4-H Awards Day held Sunday, November 13th at the Community Building on the Boone County Fairgrounds. Awards were presented to recognize youth for growth and achievement in project areas, for outstanding overall 4-H participation, and for communication, civic engagement and leadership activities. Members of the Boone County 4-H Recordkeeping and Recognition Taskforce reviewed record books and award nominations, selected 4-H members to receive awards and conducted the awards presentation.
Four Outstanding Graduate 4-H members were honored by the Boone County Chamber of Commerce, US Bank and Boone Bank & Trust Company. The four graduated 4-H members honored for their achievements were: Emily Baumgardner, Franny Burke-Vens, Alanna Schroeder and Mary Woodard.
Eight Outstanding Freshmen 4-H Members were honored by the family of Arnold and Marie Harris. Recipients included: Avery Chesnut, Kaylee Chesnut, Mila Grothus, Caraline Hertz, Tyler Osborn, Pearl Wagner, Cianna Weddle and Emma Wiebold.
The Lions Club of Boone and Boone Rotary Club sponsored six Outstanding Sixer 4-H members. They included: Morgan Chesnut, Jennifer LaMar, Logan Lande, Glenda Moody, Peyton Stolte and Cash Williams.
A scholarship was awarded to Chaz Warson, in memory of Joyce Safly and Julienne Blomgren, former Boone County 4-H alumni, leaders, and dedicated volunteers.
A scholarship was awarded to Megan Stern in memory of Lyle & Alice Flynn. Lyle & Alice Flynn were faithful 4-H and fair supporters.
A scholarship was given out in memory of Helen Jean Bice who was active in her community and enjoyed promoting agriculture. The recipient of the Helen Jean Bice Memorial Scholarship is Megan Stern.
A scholarship was awarded in memory of John Munson Jr who shared his passion of horses with 4-H’ers. The recipient of the John Munson Jr. Memorial Scholarship was Regan McClure.
A scholarship was given out in memory of Belle Cleaveland, long time 4-H volunteer and 4-H judge that loved giving back to others. The scholarship recipient is Lauren Hansen.
Three Leader of Tomorrow awards were given to Bella Bryan, Hannah Chesnut and Clay Warson. The Leader of Tomorrow Award is given in memory of Charles and Colletta Nalean.
The George Leonard Memorial award honors four 4-H members who have been active club members and role models for younger members. The 2022 recipients were Erin Barnes, Joe Baumhover, Abigail Dies and Josie Mowrer.
The 4-H Spirit Award recognized eight 4-H members who have made 4-H more fun or educational through their attitude, leadership, and hard work. Sponsors of the Spirit Awards are Leigh and Julie Foster of Boone. 2022 recipients included junior members: Stella Bickelhaupt, Cecilia Fulton and Gideon Moody; intermediate members: Grace Bielfelt, Olivia Grell and Caler McClain and senior members: Mason McClain and McKenya Williams.
For the twenty-sixth year, the Julie and Carrie Ensley Club Civic engagement award recognized one 4-H club for outstanding civic engagement activities. This year, the Bluff Creek Wranglers 4-H Club was given this award due to their civic engagement efforts. Bluff Creek Wranglers 4-H Club has a strong history of giving back to others. Every year, the club participates in many projects that help many people within their community and county. Their goal this year was to increase their outreach in the community through partnerships. This year this club did many outdoor projects including replacing dying bushes around Pilot Mound, replacing railroad ties in a retaining wall, and started a community garden in Pilot Mound.
The club’s biggest project this year was moving young trees, removing diseased trees and cleaning up the Pilot Mound Cemetery after the derecho. The club members learned a lot about the care and maintenance of trees and that working together makes the job easier. Congratulations Bluff Creek Wranglers for engaging your members in the “service” part of the 4-H Pledge!
Three bank donors recognized 4-H members who earned the merit and achievement awards for active 4-H participation, growth, and an obvious desire for sharing the 4-H passion with others. These three banks were Vision Bank, Peoples Bank, and Security Savings Bank of Boxholm. Receiving the Intermediate Merit awards were Jack Baker, Macy Chesnut, Morgan Christensen, Rylee Ferwerda, Sophia Haub, Clayton Hertz, Brylie Hicks and Tommy Williams. Julian Weddle received the Senior Merit Award.
Youth receiving the Intermediate Achievement award were Adam Baker, Macy Bristle, Clara Fulton and Maddie Mowrer. Youth receiving the Senior Achievement Awards were Halle Heyer, Claire Jonas and Eliza Loecke.
The Boone County 4-H sponsors the I CARE awards. I CARE award recipients show that they love the 4-H program through their efforts behind the scenes and their willingness to help out where ever needed. The recipients of the I CARE Awards were Rowdy Gildea, Drew Hedlund and Emersyn Zehner.
Project award discs, nameplates, and plaques were presented to 64 4-H members. The members may apply for a bronze, silver, or gold disc in up to three projects in which they meet the criteria. This year a total of project award 140 discs were presented in 24 different project areas. These awards were made possible by the support of community groups including the Lions Club of Ogden and Madrid, Boone Daybreaker’s Kiwanis, Boone Noon Kiwanis, and Boone County Farm Bureau.
Twenty-four 4-H members who earned the gold level award in their projects also received a gift related to their project from area businesses and families. Donors included Zach and Lauren Britton, Tim & Vicki Heiller, Paul Heineman Family, Johansen/Martin Family, Medical Associates Pharmacy, Madelyn Ostendorf, Jeff & Gail Polich, Bret & Leah Terry, Sam and Michaela Van DeBerg and John & Maria Wiebold.
Vision Bank recognized six 4-H members who kept accurate records on their Pen of 3 beef projects. These recipients included: Tie for 1st Brylee Bice & Karli Herrstrom, 2nd Wyatt Herrstrom, 3rd CeJay Jones, 4th Dakota Jones and 5th Dawson Jones.
4-H Awards Day activities also included presentation of adult awards and installation of the 2022-2023 Boone County 4-H Council. For more information on 4-H, contact the Boone County Extension Office at (515) 432-3882.
Outstanding 4-H Graduate
Outstanding 4-H Freshmen
Outstanding 4-H Sixers
Flynn Scholarship:
Spirit Awards
Leader of Tomorrow & George Leonard Award
Merit & Achievement Awards.
I CARE Award
Munson Memorial
Safly Blomgren
Cleaveland Scholarship
Bice Scholarship
Club Civic Achievement Award
(contributed article and photos, Boone County 4-H)