MANHATTAN, Kan. – It happens once a year, yet typically reflects years of time and effort.
In announcing the 2012 state 4-H project award winners, Pam Van Horn noted that each of the recipients has demonstrated leadership, citizenship and personal growth during their 4-H career.
“Often, success in a 4-H project serves as an integral part of the foundation for their career choice or a lifelong interest,” said Van Horn, who is a K-State Research and Extension state 4-H youth development specialist. She coordinated the awards program this year.
The awards will be presented at the 4-H Emerald Circle Banquet, May 31, in Manhattan.
The projects are designed to explore a variety of interests, but also reflect three core competencies integrated into 4-H programs:
* Science, engineering and technology;
* Citizenship, leadership and service, and
* Healthy living.
“The 2012 state project winners represent the Kansas 4-H Program at its finest,” said Barbara Stone, assistant director, K-State Research and Extension, and state leader, Kansas 4-H. “The young people who have achieved this honor have set goals, made decisions and intentionally stepped up to the challenge of learning and leading in their communities.”
Thirty-one 4-H members have been tapped for the 2012 state awards, which are based on work completed in 2011; the award recipients represent 14 counties and seven Extension districts.
Project award recipients are listed in alphabetical order by hometown, followed by the recipient’s name and project:
Arma: Tori Bastion, Poultry;
Auburn: Luke Garrison, Leadership;
Burrton: Blake Foraker, Rabbits;
Effingham: Bridget Kelly, Home Environment;
Emporia: Megan Hilbish, Shooting Sports;
Haven: Mary Fishburn, Self-Determined;
Hartford: Brianna Zweimiller, Foods and Nutrition;
Lawrence: Ryal Mitchell, Reading;
Lenexa: Josh Gregory, Energy Management;
Louisburg: Kaitlynn Combs, Health and Wellness;
McLouth: Carl Hecht, Space Tech;
Meade: Cooper Clawson, Communications; Jacqueline Clawson, Citizenship;
Medicine Lodge: Kimberly Doman, Performing Arts;
Newton: Dakota Wulf, Dog Care and Training;
Olsburg: Kyle Apley, Wildlife;
Overbrook: Brandon Stahel, Sheep;
Paola: Kyle Hendrickson, Swine;
St. Francis: Allison Grice, Photography;
Salina: Shaylee Arpin, Pets;
Shawnee: Nick Gunkel, Wood Science;
Solomon: Carmon Amos, Geology;
Tampa: Karl Riffel, Meat Goats;
Topeka: Conrad Kabus, Plant Sciences; Megan Perkuhn, Clothing and Textiles;
Uniontown: Cole George, Horse;
Utica: Kate Hagans, Visual Arts;
Valley Center: Jill Seiler, Dairy;
Wallace: Grace Hammer, Beef;
Wichita: Logan McGinley, Entomology, and
Winchester: Abraham Buddish, Fiber Arts.
“Their success would not be possible without the benefit of their families, adult volunteers and support from their communities and K-State Research and Extension. We are proud to point to these outstanding youth when we say that ‘4-H is a network of families growing great kids,’” Stone said.
- To qualify for a state project award, a 4-H member must earn the top award in their project at the local level.
- The top projects are forwarded to Extension area offices in northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest Kansas and evaluated.
- Finalists are invited to interview for a state award, and
- The state winner is selected from among the interviewees.
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Each of the state award recipients earns a commemorative project medallion, an invitation to National 4-H Congress, which, this year, will be held in Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 23-27. Winners also will be presented a $400 travel scholarship from the Kansas 4-H Foundation toward expenses in attending Congress, which is a professional-development conference for youth.
A state project winner is eligible to earn the top award in a project one time, but may earn the top award in a different project during another project year. He or she is, however, only eligible to attend 4-H Congress once during his or her 4-H career.
More information about Kansas 4-H and the educational opportunities it offers to youth ages seven and up is available at Kansas 4-H and at each of K-State Research and Extension’s county and district offices.
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