4-H'ers rewarded for their efforts

4-H Gold Star Award winners are Laura Reyna of Wharton, Shelby Cooper of El Campo and Hannah Krenek of Boling.

Wharton County 4-H members received recognition for their year of hard work at the annual 4-H Awards Banquet on Aug. 11.

This year's Gold Star senior 4-H winners are Laura Reyna of Wharton, Hannah Krenek of Boling and Shelby Cooper of El Campo.

The night's theme was Fiesta and opened with a skit to introduce the 2006-2007 County Council Officers.

During the meal a slide show was presented highlighting the major events and activities that took place throughout the year.

After the meal, slide show and the opening ceremonies, the awards presentation began by honoring those 4-Hers who participated in Archery, Beef Quiz Bowl, Consumer Decision Making, Dairy Judging, Educational Presentation, Entomology Judging, Fashion Show, Food Show, Horse Judging, Horse Quiz Bowl, Livestock Judging, Photography, Record Book, Share-the-Fun and Wharton County Youth Fair.

For their participation in any of these events on the county level they received a certificate of completion, for participating on the district level they received a plaque, and for advancing to the state level they had a choice of a savings bond, a 4- H watch, a 4-H blanket or a trophy.

I Dare You Awards have been awarded to Kara Witzkoski of Wharton and Shelby Rod of El Campo at the awards banquet.

Also those that won first, second or third at the state level received an embroidered hanging bag.

Wharton County had 130 youth members in 4-H receive the honor of an award for their respective activity and the level of which they participated; either county, district or state.

Some of the more prestigeous awards were then awarded. The 2007 Friends of 4-H went to Kevin and Kelli Bannert and Mike Ryan for all of their support and time given to the youth involved in Wharton County 4-H.

The 4-H Alumni Award recipient was Dr. Douglas Dornak. The two Distinguished Leader Awards were presented to Pat Sanders and Melissa Rod.

The three Junior 4-H members receiving the Bronze Star Award, the highest honor for a junior 4-H member, were Brooke Wallace, Jacob Supak and Sara Zahn.

Clockwise from above are the First Ag Credit Award has been presented to Taylor Cline of Wharton; 4-H Silver Star Award winners this year are Jacob Harton of El Campo, Cody Hlavinka of Boling and Mary Failla of East Bernard; and 4-H Bronze Star Award winners are Jacob Supak of El Campo, Brooke Wallace of Boling and Sara Zahn of Boling.

The three Intermediate 4-H members receiving the Silver Star Award, which is the highest award an intermediate 4-H member can receive, were Cody Hlavinka, Mary Failla and Jacob Harton.

The two recipients of the "I Dare You" Awards were Kara Witzkoski and Shelby Rod.

The award for First Ag Credit, given by First Ag Credit, went to Taylor Cline.

The last honors of the night went to three Senior 4-H members who received the top honors that a senior 4-H member can be awarded and that is the Gold Star Award presented to Hannah Krenek, Shelby Cooper and Laura Reyna.

The banquet also recognized five of its 4-H members. Mindy Kmiec, Erica Harton, Bethany Riley, Jeffery Supak and Rachael Goynes, who received a combined total of $50,000 in scholarship money from the State 4-H Foundation in June.

4-H Silver Star Award winners this year are Jacob Harton of El Campo, Cody Hlavinka of Boling and Mary Failla of East Bernard.

The Wharton County 4-H Club thanked those who helped make this year's awards Banquet a success, and thanked everyone who contributed in some way to helping the youth of Wharton County To Make The Best Better.

This year's fiesta was held to honor those youth who do an outstanding job in leadership, community service and have a true passion to help others.

Through community support these young people will become tomorrows leaders, so encourage the youth around them to get involved and stay involved.

4-H Bronze Star Award winners are Jacob Supak of El Campo, Brooke Wallace of Boling and Sara Zahn of Boling.