Event cites 4-H achievers

Awards presented for 12 months of service

By Zoey McGee | Manor Ink

White Sulphur Springs, NY – On Friday, Nov. 17, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County’s 4-H program held its annual Achievement Night in this small hamlet just west of the Village of Liberty.

The event is held to celebrate all of the 4-H members’ hard work throughout the past year from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. The event was open to the public, with all members, volunteers and families encouraged to attend.

This year’s Achievement Night started with each club coming to the stage to be acknowledged. Independent members also took the stage as a group. As each group was called up, honor members – those with outstanding involvement in club or county activities – stepped forward for their own recognition.

Organizers of the event then handed out the awards for the Community Service Olympics. Each 4-H member documents each act of community service they have performed over the past 12 months, placing them in one of five categories: community/government service, environmental service, intergenerational service, wellness/health/fitness service, or 4-H program service.

If a Cloverbud, a 4-Her aged five to eight, participates in three or more categories, they earn a Cloverbud Award. If an older 4-Her fulfills three categories, they receive a Bronze Award; if they complete four, they get a Silver Award. Those who complete all five categories receive a Gold Award.

Many other awards were given, including several special animal awards for those who did fantastic work with cows, horses, rabbits and other animals during the 4-H Fair in August. Certificates were also given to club presidents, secretaries and treasurers.

The Big Barn Buddies won the window display contest with their display at the Center for Discovery. There were also 30 Gold Award winners, eight Silver winners, seven Bronze, and four Cloverbud.

This year, the Norman F. Gabriel Award was presented to Elanie Herbert, now a student at Moravian University in Bethlehem, PA. Though she couldn’t attend the event in person due to college responsibilities, Barbara Moran, the 4-H Youth Development Program manager, read Herbert’s heartwarming speech about her favorite memories during her many years in 4-H.

After the ceremony, many people stayed to snack on various cookies and desserts prepared by the clubs.