(Cass Co) Cass County 4-H’ers and their families, volunteers and supporters gathered on Sunday, November 12th to celebrate the 2022-2023 4-H year at the 2023 County Convention.
4-H leaders reaching milestones were recognized for their service. Receiving ten-year recognition were Jeff Anderson of Washington GEM, Tarah Anderson of Washington GEM, Beth Henderson of Benton Franklin, Eva Jensen of Grant Guys & Gals, Kristy Pellett of Pymosa, Windy Smith of Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids. Recognized as a club leader for five years was Troy Retallic of Bear Grove Blazers.
The 4-H Alumni Award, given to 4-H alumni that have stayed active in supporting the local 4-H program, was presented to Dawn and Donnie Dreager. Dawn and Donnie are long-time supporters of the 4-H program who always encourage youth to do their best. Donnie is instrumental in the Swine Department at County Fair supporting the superintendent and helping wherever needed. Both are alumni off Pymosa who have continued to contribute time in supporter to Cass County 4-H.
Dale and the late Pam Kuehl were recognized as Honorary Members; an award given to non-4-H members that offer support and assistance to the local 4-H program. They have been long-time contributors to the fair livestock sale. Dale is a former fairboard member and Pam was a leader of the Brighton Bluebells 4-H Club. They have helped many youth with livestock projects over the years.
The Distinguished Service Award was presented to NISHNANET. The team at NISHNANET work hard to provide free Wi-Fi on the fairgrounds during fair week. This service allows data to be entered quickly for shows after weigh-ins, networks to live stream county fair events, and communicate throughout the grounds. 4-H and FFA members, staff, and everyone who comes to the fair is grateful for the services that NISHNANET provide. They are quick to respond to the need and move on a moment’s notice to help all throughout the year.
Members and leaders of all eleven 4-H clubs in Cass County were presented on stage to receive recognition for club activities throughout the year and project awards. Intermediate and Junior 4-H members who completed a record book received project awards based on leaders’ recommendation.
High school members turn in their record book at the club level to be reviewed then leaders nominate records to be reviewed again at the county level. Record books are rated on organization, appearance, goals and learning, spelling and grammar. Senior project awards were also presented. These project records should be well organized, neat, and show evidence of solid Citizenship, Communication, and Leadership activities. Points received determine if platinum, gold, silver, or bronze awards are given. Awards given by clubs are as follows:
Bear Grove Blazers:
Club Awards:
4-H’ers for 4-H, 4-H Endowment Donation, Silent Auction Item, Banner Club
Project Awards:
Elizabeth Anderson: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Photography: Platinum
Catherine DeBord: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Clothing, Food & Nutrition, Home Improvement, Rabbit, Swine
Aly Dreager: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Dog, Food & Nutrition, Sheep, Swine
Dylen Dreager: Project awards in Swine: Silver
Keagen Dreager: Sheep, Swine, Woodworking
Walker Gary: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Sheep, Swine, Woodworking
Michael Hocamp: Overall Record: Star.
Maggie Jacobsen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Home Improvement, Visual Arts
Hunter Kardell: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Photography, Rabbit, Swine
Lynsie Kardell: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Photography, Sewing, Swine, Visual Arts
Macie Kloewer: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Rabbit, Visual Arts
Maggie Kloewer: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Rabbit, Visual Arts
Mia Kloewer: Project Awards: Rabbit: Silver
David Retallic: Overall Record: Gold. Project Awards: Food & Nutrition: Bronze, Rabbit: Bronze, Swine: Silver
Sophia Retallic: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Food & Nutrition, Rabbit, Sewing, Swine
Nolan Sunderman: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Visual Arts
Carter Witzman: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Swine: Platinum
Benton Franklin:
Club Awards: 4-H’ers for 4-H, Silent Auction Item
Project Awards:
Brock Henderson: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Beef: Platinum
Ada Nichols: Overall Record: Silver.
Brookelyn Steffen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Swine
Brylee Steffen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Food & Nutrition, Home Improvement, Sewing, Swine, Woodworking
C&M Champions:
Club Awards: 4-H’ers for 4-H, 4-H Endowment Donation, Silent Auction Item, Swine Herdsmanship
Cowpokes:
Club Awards: 4-H’ers for 4-H, 4-H Endowment Donation, Silent Auction Item
Project Awards:
Shelby Hansen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Dog, Horse
Garret Stetzel: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Dog
Kaylee Stetzel: Overall Record: Gold. Project Awards: Horse: Gold
Kayedance Sturm: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Horse
Grant Guys and Gals:
Club Awards: 4-H’ers for 4-H, 4-H Endowment Donation, Silent Auction Item, Rabbit Herdsmanship, Sheep Herdsmanship
Project Awards:
Kinsey Burg: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Food & Nutrition, Photography, Sewing, Visual Arts
Macy Burg: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Home Improvement, Photography, Sewing
Brayden Dawson: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Woodworking
Ashton Hagen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Meat Goats
Graham Hagen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef
Tiana Hagen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Sheep
Ada Hansen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Citizenship, Clothing, Food & Nutrition
Isaac Hansen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Food & Nutrition, Health, Swine, Woodworking
Jenna Jensen: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Health, Home Improvement, Leadership, Photography, Swine, Visual Arts
Emma Meyer: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Sheep
Kennedy Meyer: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Sheep
Eden Ohms: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Food & Nutrition, Photography, Sewing, Sheep, Visual Arts
Leah Ohms: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Food & Nutrition, Health, Photography, Sewing, Sheep, Visual Arts
Kylee Wessling: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Dog, Food & Nutrition, Home Improvement, Leadership, Photography, Rabbit
Griswold Clubsters:
Club Awards: Silent Auction Item, Goat Herdsmanship
Project Awards:
Raylea Amos: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Visual Arts
Josie Millikan: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Consumer Management: Gold, Food & Nutrition: Gold, Health: Silver
Grove H.O.T.:
Club Awards: 4-H’ers for 4-H, Silent Auction Item, Top Community Service Poster
Project Awards:
Parker Brock: Overall Record: Gold. Project Awards: Dog: Platinum, Meat Goat: Gold.
Conner Johnson: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Photography: Platinum, Poultry: Platinum
Lily Johnson: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Clothing: Platinum, Communications: Platinum, Dairy Goat: Platinum, Food & Nutrition: Platinum, Poultry: Platinum, Sewing: Platinum
Rio Johnson: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Clothing: Platinum, Communications: Platinum, Food & Nutrition: Platinum, Photography: Platinum, Poultry: Platinum, Sewing: Platinum, Visual Arts: Platinum.
Claire Schroder: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Sewing: Gold
Pleasant Noble United:
Club Awards: 4-H’ers for 4-H, Silent Auction Item
Project Awards:
Conlan Amos: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Food & Nutrition, Poultry, Veterinary Science
Zoey Amos: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Clothing, Food & Nutrition, Photography
Emma Ritter: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Dog, Visual Arts
Gage Ritter: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Dog, Woodworking
Kailey Swain: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Meat Goat: Platinum, Rabbit: Platinum, Swine: Platinum.
Trista Swain: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Food & Nutrition: Platinum, Meat Goat: Platinum, Rabbit: Platinum, Swine: Platinum
Pymosa:
Club Awards: Silent Auction Item, Beef Herdsmanship
Project Awards:
Makayla Atkinson: completed a record book.
Dayna Dreager: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Swine: Platinum
Keira Olson: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Food & Nutrition: Platinum, Leadership: Platinum
Olivia Olson: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Photography: Bronze, Woodworking: Bronze
Callee Pellett: Overall Record: Gold.
Claire Pellett: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Beef: Platinum, Dog: Platinum, Food & Nutrition: Platinum, Health: Platinum, Home Improvement: Platinum.
Oakley Skow: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Food & Nutrition
Miraylie Stuart: Overall Record: Gold. Project Awards: Beef: Gold
Teague Stuart: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Beef, Sheep
Union Leaders:
Club Awards: Silent Auction Item
Project Awards:
Oliver Becker: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Sewing
Rachel Becker: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Beef: Silver
Reilly Becker: completed a record book.
Tristan Becker: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Beef: Silver
Bay Erickson: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Clothing, Food & Nutrition, Photography, Rabbit, Visual Arts
Bryson Lee: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Food & Nutrition, STEM, Woodworking
Lane Mills: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Meat Goats
Washington GEM:
Club Awards: 4-H’ers for 4-H, Silent Auction Item, Top Secretary Book, Top Treasurer Book, Top Historian Book
Project Awards:
Colton Anderson: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Swine
Maddy Anderson: Overall Record: Platinum. Project Awards: Swine: Silver.
Natalie Boose: Overall Record: Star.
Bentley Bruck: Overall Record: Star.
Jacquelyn Freund: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Child Development, Home Improvement, Sewing
Macy Freund: Overall Record: Star.
Gracelyn Larsen: Overall Record: Star.
Grant Petty: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Swine
Lane Robinson: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Swine
Quincy Robinson: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Swine
Gentry Waters: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Visual Arts
Paxton Wickard: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Woodworking
Zach Zellmer: Overall Record: Star. Project Awards: Rabbits and Swine
Senior 4-H’ers could also apply for County-Level awards, which required a special application and information regarding their overall 4-H experiences. Receiving county level award recognition were Lily Johnson of Grove H.O.T – Merit Award, Parker Brock of Grove H.O.T – Achievement Award, Maddy Anderson of Washington GEM – Citizenship Award, Claire Pellett of Pymosa – Leadership Award, Kailey Swain of Pleasant Noble United – Learning through Livestock Award, Rio Johnson of Grove H.O.T. – Danforth “I Dare You” Award.
Bear Grove Blazers was recognized for the top window display during National 4-H Week and as the Banner Club winner for all the activities completed this past 4-H program year. Grove H.O.T won top community service project poster.
Club officers keep records throughout the year and turn in books to be reviewed. Top books in the county are selected for Secretary, Treasurer and Historian. Washington GEM took home all three of these officer book awards.
The afternoon concluded with the installation of fifteen senior level 4-H’ers onto the 2023-2024 County 4-H Youth Council. Members are: Maddy Anderson of Washington GEM, Makayla Atkinson of Pymosa, Parker Brock of Grove H.O.T., Alyson Dreager of Bear Grove Blazers, Jacquelyn Freund of Washington GEM, Ada Hansen of Grant Guys & Gals, Brock Henderson of Benton Franklin, Lily Johnson of Grove H.O.T., Leah Ohms of Grant Guys & Gals, Olivia Olson of Pymosa, Callee Pellett of Pymosa, Claire Pellett of Pymosa, Claire Schroder of Grove H.O.T., Miraylie Stuart of Pymosa, and Kailey Swain of Pleasant Noble United.
For more information about joining the Cass County 4-H program as a 4-H member or adult volunteer, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass, call 712-243-1132, or email kbateman@iastate.edu to contact the Cass County Extension office.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. For the full non-discrimination statement or accommodation inquiries, go to www.extension.iastate.edu/diversity/ext.
