Press Release

Fremont County 4-H families, youth, and volunteers gathered at the McElroy Building on the fairgrounds for this year’s Fremont County 4-H Awards Banquet on Sunday, November 3rd.

4-H youth were recognized for their achievements throughout the 2023-2024 program year.

The event was presented by the Fremont County 4-H Youth Committee and 4-H County Council.

A welcome was provided by Fremont County Youth Coordinator, Jessica Prazan. Ryan Korver (Riverside Rockets) led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Jessica Prazan and Mandy Maher, Fremont County Extension Director conducted an induction ceremony for the 2024-25 County Council members.

County Council is made up of senior 4-H members in grades 9-12. They are relied on for leadership and are expected to be living examples of 4-H standards for other members and friends of 4-H.

As representatives of 4-H, their task is “to make the best better,” living out the 4-H motto. County Council members are provided opportunities to build leadership and communication skills. They organize and facilitate camps and other activities for the Fremont County 4-H community.

Outgoing County Council representatives were recognized. They include Madison Hensley (Silver Skylarks), Lillian Howe (Riverside Rockets), Kandra Laumann (Washington PEP), and Abigail Martin (WMP).

Returning members include Victoria Adkisson (Riverside Rockets), Lana Alley (Riverside Rockets), Noah Howe (Riverside Rockets), Claire Korver (Riverside Rockets), Wyatt Lemonds (Riverside Rockets), Summer Maher (WMP), Nora Martin (WMP), Blake Schaaf (Riverside Rockets), and Ellie Ward (Riverton-Fisher).

New County Council members were introduced. They are Katherine Howe (Riverside Rockets), Ryan Korver (Riverside Rockets), and Joseph Roberts (Fremont County Fletchings).

Next, Clover Kids graduates were recognized. Clover Kids is a fun 4-H program specifically designed for children in kindergarten through third grade.

The overall purpose of the Iowa 4-H Clover Kids program is to foster the development of life skills that are essential for their cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.

Graduates include Liam Blackey (Silver Skylarks CK), Caleb Casey (Fremont County Fletchings CK), Landry Griger (WMP CK), Jaxon Holt (Fremont County Fletchings CK), Luke Langner (WMP CK), Logan Mitchell (Riverside Rockets CK), Bailey Steinman (Riverside Rockets CK), and Hallie Wallace (Riverside Rockets CK).

These youth are now eligible to join a traditional 4-H club for fourth grade through seniors.

Several 4-Hers were recognized for completing their first year in the program. Membership certificates and seals were presented to the following members by Nora Martin and Blake Schaaf: Luke Adkisson (Riverside Rockets), Isaac Dudley (Washington PEP), Lena Flynn (Riverside Rockets), Liv Graham (Silver Skylarks), Brayton Johnson (Riverside Rockets), Kaiden Juel (Riverside Rockets), Rylee Lang (Silver Skylarks), Carter Shiner (Silver Skylarks), Mackenzie Travis (Silver Skylarks), Aspen Tysor (Washington PEP), and Wyatt Wray (Washington PEP).

This year, 39 record books were submitted to the Fremont County 4-H Youth Committee for review. Of those, seven were prepared by junior members that received the following certificates:

Brennan Ford (Riverside Rockets) – Certificate of Merit; Brayton Johnson (Riverside Rockets), Will Korver (Riverside Rockets), Rylee Lang (Silver Skylarks), Jaden Schaaf (Riverside Rockets), Mackenzie Travis (Silver Skylarks), and Josef Whitehead (Fremont County Fletchings) – Certificates of Excellence.

Record book awards were presented by 4-H Youth Committee members Angie Alley, Amanda Moore, and Kate Roberts.

Receiving record book awards in Beef were Cooper Avey (Riverside Rockets), Joseph Roberts (Fremont County Fletchings, Blake Schaaf (Riverside Rockets), Brody Schaaf (Riverside Rockets), Madelynn Schaaf (Riverside Rockets), and Madeleine Travis (Silver Skylarks).

Receiving record book awards in Citizenship and Civic Engagement were Blake Schaaf (Riverside Rockets) and Nathan Stenzel (Washington PEP).

Receiving record book awards in Communications were Wyatt Lemonds (Riverside Rockets) and Abigail Martin (WMP).

Receiving record book awards in Food & Nutrition were Summer Maher (WMP), Abigail Martin (WMP), Nora Martin (WMP), Carter Phipps (WMP), Madelynn Schaaf (Riverside Rockets), and Madeleine Travis (Silver Skylarks).

Receiving a record book award in Gardening and Horticulture was Abigail Martin (WMP).

Receiving record book awards in Goat was Cory Ford (Riverside Rockets), Madison Hensley (Silver Skylarks), and Madelynn Schaaf (Riverside Rockets).

Receiving record book awards in Horse & Pony were Cooper Avey (Riverside Rockets), Madison Hensley (Silver Skylarks), Katherine Howe (Riverside Rockets), Claire Korver (Riverside Rockets), and Ryan Korver (Riverside Rockets).

Receiving record book awards in Photography were Cory Ford (Riverside Rockets), Summer Maher (WMP), Abigail Martin (WMP), Carter Phipps (WMP), and Madelynn Schaaf (Riverside Rockets).

Receiving a record book award in Poultry was Cory Ford (Riverside Rockets).

Receiving record book awards in Shooting Sports were Gabriel Casey (Fremont County Fletchings) and Max Casey (Fremont County Fletchings).

Receiving a record book award in STEM was Ellie Ward (Riverton-Fisher).

Receiving record book awards in Swine were Cooper Avey (Riverside Rockets), Alexis Laumann (Washington PEP), Joseph Roberts (Fremont County Fletchings), and Brody Schaaf (Riverside Rockets).

Receiving record book awards in Visual Arts were Cory Ford (Riverside Rockets), Katherine Howe (Riverside Rockets), and Abigail Martin (WMP).

Madison Hensley (Silver Skylarks) was named the AKSARBEN award recipient. This is presented to 4-H members who are making significant progress toward maturity through their service for the advancement of the 4-H program in the county or area.

Claire Korver (Riverside Rockets) and Ryan Korver (Riverside Rockets) were recipients of Jr. Leadership awards. This award distinguishes 4-H’ers who are starting to acquire and demonstrate leadership qualities in their club, school, and community. This includes the attitude, active role and interaction with other youth in 4-H and other activities.

Nora Martin (WMP) and Joseph Roberts (Fremont County Fletchings) were presented with Leadership awards. This award recognizes 4-H’ers who have acquired and demonstrated leadership skills and abilities; identifies and understands rules, attitudes, tasks, and functions necessary for effective leadership while showing leadership responsibilities in strengthening their club, encouraging other youth, and helping recruit new members.

Summer Maher (WMP) was named the Achievement award winner. This recognizes 4-H’ers who have shown outstanding personal growth through participation in a wide variety of 4-H projects and programs and has become a skilled, productive, and self-directing individual.

Katherine Howe (Riverside Rockets) and Alexis Laumann (Washington PEP) received Livestock Achievement awards, distinguishing members who are learning basic principles of animal science by owning, caring for, and keeping records; demonstrating knowledge of sound breeding, feeding and management; and employing efficient marketing.

Carter Phipps (WMP) and Blake Schaaf (Riverside Rockets) were presented with Merit awards. This award is presented to 4-H members whose accomplishments reflect significant personal growth, active citizenship, competency in project work, and unselfish service to 4-H members and others; have acquired an understanding of responsibilities in their personal life, in the club, and in the community during the year; and have taken an active role in their club, but not necessarily a leadership role.

Receiving the Citizenship award was Cooper Avey (Riverside Rockets). This award acknowledges 4-H members who have learned the meaning of citizenship and have demonstrated understanding through good citizenship practices.

Wyatt Lemonds (Riverside Rockets) and Nathan Stenzel (Washington PEP) received Personal Development awards which acknowledge those who are developing skills, knowledge, and attitudes for lifelong use; sharing knowledge gained with others and exploring career opportunities in the areas of Communication or a Self-Determined Area.

Receiving the Agriculture award was Brody Schaaf (Riverside Rockets). It recognizes personal growth through participation in a wide variety of agriculture projects and programs.

The most prestigious award went to both Abigail Martin (WMP) and Ellie Ward (Riverton-Fisher). Each year, the Danforth award is presented to a 4-H member who has demonstrated four-fold personal development and leadership; whose talents and potential are sometimes overlooked; who is striving to make the most of his or her talents; who has high aspirations; and who accepts his or her leadership and citizenship responsibilities. The recipient should also exhibit personal integrity, balanced living, and a potential for leadership.

4-H clover patches were presented to 4-H’ers who were receiving their first Record Book awards. The patches are used to collect award pins throughout one’s 4-H career.

Recipients were Gabriel Casey (Fremont County Fletchings), Max Casey (Fremont County Fletchings), Katherine Howe (Riverside Rockets), Wyatt Lemonds (Riverside Rockets), Madelynn Schaaf (Riverside Rockets), and Madeleine Travis (Silver Skylarks).

Katherine Howe presented certificates and pins to Sarah Ward (Riverton-Fisher Clover Kids Leader) for 5 years of service, and Amanda Moore (Riverside Rockets 4-H Leader), and Kayla Walter (Fremont County Fletchings 4-H Leader) for 10 years of service as 4-H volunteers.

Lana Alley presented awards to 4-H clubs. Receiving recognition for the highest percentage of members to re-enroll from 2022-23 to 2023-24 is WMP with 100% of their members re-enrolling.

Receiving recognition for the highest percentage of members to submit record books in 2024 were WMP with 67%.

Certificates from the Iowa 4-H Foundation and the State 4-H Council were presented to Riverside Rockets for donating $4 or more per member to the 2024 4-H’ers for 4-H Campaign.

Jeremy Walter, the 2024 distinguished Fremont County 4-H alum, was invited to reflect on how 4-H impacted his life. Jeremy, a local ag producer, provided an inspirational summary of the lessons he learned through his involvement in 4-H.

Claire Korver (Riverside Rockets) closed the event by leading the 4-H pledge.

Throughout the event, trivia questions about the fall season were asked with winners receiving some 4-H swag.

Sponsors for the event included Fremont County Farm Bureau Federation, Walter Family Miniature Hereford Department, Walter Family Seed, Hendrickson Transportation, Tri-Valley Bank, and Martin Custom Ag. Their generous donations supplied record book awards and free t-shirts to 4-H’ers who completed their record books by the deadline.

Photos are available at Fremont County 4-H, Iowa’s Facebook page, Fremont County Iowa Extension and Outreach.

The Awards Ceremony was followed by a 4-H Find-Out Night featuring booths manned by 4-H members and volunteers. Local 4-H and Clover Kids clubs, as well as a variety of 4-H project areas, were highlighted. Several potential new members and their families attended to learn more about the nation’s largest youth development organization.

New members are accepted until May 15th, although enrollment is encouraged as soon as possible. Enrollment can be completed at www.v2.4honline.com.

For more information about Fremont County 4-H, call 712-374-2351 or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/fremont.