Approximately 50 young people enjoyed pizza before receiving recognition for the various 4-H achievements they accomplished throughout the year. Following the awards, a mock 4-H meeting took place with older members discussing business and making motions to demonstrate to younger members and new club officers how a meeting should be conduct-ed. Teen Leaders conducting the meeting were Jaryd Wilfong, R.T. Hill, Levi Hill, Silas Dean, Kirsten Friel, Luke Taylor and Caleb Ritter.
Pam Burns and A.J. Sharp received certificates in honor of their five years of service as 4-H Leaders. Kathy and Randy Irvine received re-cognition for an impressive 35 years of service. Pam Burns was also selected as 2023-24 Outstanding Volunteer Leader. Pam is a Leader of the Buckeye Winners 4-H Club. Southern States was recognized as a Friend of 4-H at Volunteer Leaders Weekend and Kathy Irvine was selected as an Outstanding 4-H All Star.
First year 4-Hers Adalyn Beverage, Kysor Calhoun, Kegan Calhoun, Brayden Diller, Michael Friel, Natalie Irvine, Shelldon Maitland, Rufus Morgan, Amelia Ro-gers, Sullivan Seldomridge, Evan Sharp, Alayna Sharp, Owen Short, Lydia Taylor and Mia Valach earned their 4-H patches for completing the “This is 4-H” project – book, activity record, exhibit.
Project pins are presented to 4-Hers earning the highest score (with a minimum of 95) for each project carried in the county. A completed project consists of the project book, 4-H activity record and an exhibit at the Project Exhibit Fair for a possible combined score of 100 points.
These 4-Hers are Kya Arbogast, Grayson Barlow, Kylor Brock, Makiya Burns, Silas Dean, Victor Dean, Amber Defibaugh, Brayden Diller, Zara Fanning, Khloe Gainer, Luke Gainer, Levi Hill, Natalie Irvine, Shelldon Maitland, Savana Sharp, Eden Smith, Abigail Taylor and Luke Taylor.
Twenty-eight 4-Hers received a perfect score on their activity records: Kya Arbogast, Grayson Barlow, Makiya Burns, Kegan Calhoun, Kysor Calhoun, Silas Dean, Victor Dean, Amber Defibaugh, Brayden Diller, Ayla Fanning, Zara Fanning, Ava Fields, Elizabeth Friel, Khloe Gainer, Luke Gainer, Levi Hill, R.T. Hill, Natalie Irvine, Shelldon Maitland, Alayna Sharp, Savana Sharp, Owen Short, Eden Smith, Abigail Taylor, Luke Taylor, Lydia Taylor, Jaryd Wilfong and Lane Wilfong.
The following were recognized for being selected to participate in the State Poster Contest: Adalyn Beverage (red ribbon), Makiya Burns (blue), Amber Defibaugh (blue), Riley Pollack (2 blue), Evan Sharp (blue), Noah Sharp (blue), Eden Smith (red).
These 4-Hers were selected to participate in the State Photo Contest: Ethan Armstrong, Jessica Armstrong, Grayson Barlow, Mileya Bircher, Silas Dean, Victor Dean, Michael Friel, Tyler Friel, Kirsten Friel, Elizabeth Friel, Riley Pollack, Trey Sattler.
Silas Dean participated in the County and State Writing Contests.
Twelve 4-Hers participated in the County Poster Contest and County Photo Contest.
Sixty-five members completed 127 project books on topics ranging from hobbies and life skills to livestock. Pocahontas County had 188 Cloverbuds and members enrolled in 4-H this year.