Pendleton County 4-H’ers, leaders, parents, and friends concluded the club year in the library at the Franklin Elementary School. Leading this event was Brooke Alt, 4-H Agent. Four-H’ers were recognized for excelling in various phases of the 4-H program during the 2022-2023 program year.
The Outstanding 4-H Club for the year was the North Fork 4-H Club. Vanessa Harper, leader of the North Fork 4-H Club, encouraged her 25 members to complete 100 percent of the 32 4-H projects taken, to receive this award.
Clubs earning the blue-ribbon award were North Fork 4-H and Upper Tract Producers. This award is dependent on meeting attendance, project completion, camp attendance, program and event participation and the completion of 4-H officers’ documentation.
Alt announced the outstanding member project completion awards. Isabella Hoover completed four project books with Hannah Bennett, Tori Heavner, Isaac Kimble, Hannah Heavner, Katie Heavner, Lydia Heavner and Tia Heavner each completing three projects. These outstanding 4-H’ers received certificates for their accomplishments.
Few 4-H’ers can boast of a 4-H experience that spans the entire period between the time they join 4-H and reach the age of 21. Marissa Hoover received a pin, jacket and certificate for her 13 years of 4-H involvement.
Medals and certificates for outstanding project accomplishments, honor roll recipients, and 4-H’ers scoring 96 points or above in project subject areas were presented by Alt. Four-H’ers recognized were as follows:
Beef – Tori Heavner, Isabella Hoover, Branson Smith and Katie Heavner;
Dogs – Vaylee Harper, Jacey Thompson, Carly Kimble and Claira Kimble;
Food and Nutrition – Chesnee Colaw, Abby Judy, Hannah Heavner, Madison Sword and Hannah Bennett;
Environment and Earth Sciences – Mason Harper, Callie Judy, Isaac Kimble, Zander Adams and Ty Armentrout;
Goats – Andelyn Vance, Isabella Hoover, Tia Heavner and Ty Heavner;
Technology and Engineering – Easton Boner, Cody Miller, Branson Smith and Alex Adams;
Vet Science – Jax Bennett;
Animal Science: Sheep – Tori Heavner, Breymann Keesecker, Kallie Keyser, Hannah Heavner, Britlee Basagic, Aiden Whetzel, Katie Keyser, Katie Heavner, Tia Heavner, Phoebe Pownell and Ty Heavner and Swine – Isabela Hoover and Tia Heavner;
Self-Determined – Katie Heavner, Lydia Heavner (two), Hannah Heavner, Tori Heavner, Jameigh Miller and Caleb Armentrout;
Plant Science and Crops – Zander Adams and Alex Adams;
Communications and Expressive Arts – Marion Williams, Kenden Champ, Addie Rexrode, Hannah Bennett, Vivian Pownell, Carly Kimble and Chloe Kisamore;
Health and Safety – Hannah Bennett; and
This is 4-H – Isabella Hoover, Claira Kimble, Sean Wagy and Andelynn Vance.
Outstanding 4-H club officers for the year were Jax Bennett (reporter), Vaylee Harper (historian), Abby Judy (treasurer), all members of the North Fork club, and Addie Rexrode (secretary), Ty Heavner (treasurer), Katie Keyser (reporter), Kallie Keyser (health) and Carly Kimble (historian), all members of the Upper Tract club.
Alt presented a two dollar bill and a certificate for outstanding project recognition at the Tri-County Fair to the following:
Marion Williams – Exploring 4-H, Your Family, The World or Arts;
Vivian Pownell – Theatre Arts – Imagination in Action;
Ty Armentrout – Tree Identification;
Hannah Heavner – Cooking 101;
Hannah Bennett – First Aid in Action;
Jameigh Miller – Self-Determined-Family Tree;
Zander Adams – Take Your Pick-Gardening;
Branson Smith – Measuring Up Wood Working;
Easton Boner – Measuring Up Wood Working; and
Alex Adams – Skynet Junior Scholars Astronomy.
An All Stars pin and certificate were presented to Alt and Rick Pownell.
Four-H’ers participating in judging for the first time and receiving a judging medal were Tori Heavner, Kenden Champ, Maycee Woods, McKenna Hedrick, Isabella Hoover and Branson Smith. Youth that participated in judging events throughout the year were recognized at the time of their current event.
Receiving the VEX Robotics pin were Alex Adams, Zander Adams, Phoebe Pownell, Easton Boner, Kenden Champ, Marion Williams, Ross Pownell and Owen Champ.
Four-Her’s who participated in other state and national events during the year were recognized by Alt and received certificates and ribbons from the state.
State Fair poster contest — Kenden Champ, junior, 4-H Promotion, club/special interest (blue), Branson Smith, intermediate, 4-H Promotion, general (red), Emma Puffenbarger, junior, 4-H Promotion, general (blue), Addie Rexrode, senior, 4-H Promotion, general (blue), Kynleigh Sponaugle, junior, agriculture (red) and Kenden Champ, junior, dairy and healthy living (red);
State Fair presentation contest (creed presentation) — Vaylee Harper (blue), Cole L. Harper (red), Mason Harper (red), Abigail Judy (red) and Callie Judy (red).
Vivian Pownell was recognized for attending National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia.
Cloverbuds were Mason Mowery, Levi Miller, Adelyn Miller, Everette Boner, Korbett Hammer, Braylee Propst, Wyatt Heavner, Geneva Mongold, Ariat Ewald, Hannah Sponaugle, Darek Greathouse, Sicily Flannigan, Keylan Bailey, Colton Whetzel, Piper Hubbard, Kinley Minor, Jonah Seymour and Madalyn Griffin. Finishing their last year as a Cloverbud were Mason Mowery, Ariat Ewald and Adelyn Miller.
Four-H clubs are currently accepting members for the 2023-2024 club year. Anyone interested in the 4-H program is encouraged to contact their local 4-H leader or the West Virginia University Extension Office at 358-2286 for details or register through z-suites at https://4h.zsuite.org/enrollments.
