By Scout Nelson
The Kansas 4-H Youth Development program has recently celebrated the achievements of over two dozen young individuals by naming them state project award winners. These awards are a testament to the youths' dedication to their chosen projects and their potential for future success.
Sarah Maass, the state leader for Kansas 4-H, praised the winners, highlighting that winning a state project award signifies both past accomplishments and future promise. "Being a state project winner indicates prior excellence and points to (youth’s) future potential,” Maass explained.
The selection process for these awards is rigorous. Each participant from the senior division (ages 14-18) submits a detailed project report summarizing their work and achievements in one of the 28 categories. Winners are chosen based on their demonstrated abilities in leadership, organization, civic engagement, and communication.
This year's lineup of winners represents a wide array of interests and skills:
- Beef – Lyle Perrier, Greenwood County.
- Civic Engagement – Ariana Baltazor, Central Kansas District – Saline County.
- Clothing and Textiles – Vanessa Jones, Pottawatomie County.
- Communications – Grace Oard, Sedgwick County.
- Dairy – Alexander Young, Chisholm Trail District – Marion County.
- Dog Care and Training – Lydia Walker, Phillips-Rooks District – Phillips County.
- Entomology – Renatta Heintz, Chisholm Trail District – Dickinson County.
- Fiber Arts – Allison Rose, Chisholm Trail District – Dickinson County.
- Foods and Nutrition – Kierra Eck, Midway District – Russell County.
- Geology – Knox Crouch, Sedgwick County.
- Horse – Faith Beesley, Wild West District – Stevens County.
- Leadership – Elizabeth ‘Ellie’ Seeger, McPherson County.
- Meat Goats – Kayla George, West Plains District – Finney County.
- Performing Arts – Tobias Grubbs, Wild West District – Stevens County.
- Photography – Norman Jurgensen, Marshall County.
- Plant Science – Isaiah Manus, Leavenworth County.
- Poultry – Dalton Peters, Meadowlark District – Jackson County.
- Rabbits – Alena Wiebers, Riley County.
- Reading – Lexi Wright, Wild West District – Haskell County.
- Self-Determined – Jarrett Abel, Meadowlark District – Jackson County.
- Sheep – Brady Hoffman, Sedgwick County.
- Shooting Sports – Elisha Staggers, Wild West District – Stevens County.
- STEM – Maggie Brummett, Riley County.
- STEM: Energy Management – Jarrett Birk, Southwind District – Woodson County.
- Swine – Jacob DeRouchey, Pottawatomie County.
- Visual Arts – Brynna Anderson, Central Kansas District – Saline County.
- Wildlife – Jonas Kern, Cottonwood District – Barton County.
- Wood Science – Karson Kahler, Meadowlark District – Jefferson County.
"Youth must display leadership skills and hearts for service by organizing events like community service projects, project meetings to share their expertise with younger 4-H members, and other unique efforts,” said Maass. These activities are integral to their selection as winners.
The awards were presented during the Emerald Circle celebration, an annual event hosted by the Kansas 4-H Foundation. This event not only recognizes the winners but also marks their progress through county, regional, and statewide evaluations.
These distinguished state project winners are also eligible to attend the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia, in November, an opportunity supported by numerous donors through the Kansas 4-H Foundation. This trip allows winners to engage further in their areas of interest at a national level, expanding their experience and exposure.
The Kansas 4-H Youth Development program continues to foster growth and development in youth, preparing them for future leadership roles within and beyond their communities.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-poike
Categories: Kansas, Education