Widner, Vaculin named Gold Star Milam County 4-Hers
The Milam County 4-H held its annual Awards Banquet.
Honoring these fine youth is a top priority, and the County Council 4-H Officers organized a virtual banquet video that has been posted on the Milam County 4-H Website and Facebook page during the week of Dec. 15. This video honors our 4-H members who have accomplished many skills and honors in 2019-2020.
The most recognized and highest award for 4-H is the Gold Star Award. This award was presented to two desiring 4-H members. Sydney Vaculin and Grant Widner received this award for 2020.
The first Gold Star Recipient is Sydney Vaculin of the Cameron 4-H Club. Sydney is the daughter of Brandon and Choya Vaculin. Sydney was in the 11th grade this past year and has been a member of 4-H for nine years.
Sydney’s main project is leadership and public speaking. She has been an active leader and coordinator in all 4-H day camps, Ag in the Classroom, workshops and many other activities and she is County Council Vice Chairman for the second year.
She has participated in District Surge and Texas 4-H congress and has competed in the healthy lifestyles contest at state.
Sydney has served as the Cloverbud leader in the Cameron 4-H Club and loves children and wants to leave a mark on them in 4-H as a leader. Sydney will be attending Texas Tech University in the Fall.
Grant Widner is a member of the Thorndale 4-H Club. Grant is the son of Kevin and Cindy Widner. Grant was a 11th grade student this year and an eighth year 4-H member.
Grant’s main project is health and personal safety, but he also competes in consumer, Healthy Lifestyles, Ag Product ID, and public speaking.
The past two years, Grant has served as State Healthy Youth Ambassador and has taught at many 4-H youth summer camps and served on the 4-H FCH Coalition. Grant has attended various state activities including District Surge and Texas 4-H Congress.
This past year, Grant’s consumer team won first place at the San Antonio Consumer Contest, Central Texas Consumer Contest, and second place consumer team at the Texas 4-H National Qualifying Contest and will be participating in the national contest in 2021. His healthy lifestyles team also placed first place at the Texas 4-H contest and will be competing in 2021. Congratulations Grant on your accomplishments.
Sponsors for this award were Little River Event Center, Milam County Livestock Auction, and Livestock Nutrition Center
The I Dare You Award was presented to two outstanding 4-Hers. The award is offered as recognition of excellence in character and well-balanced personal development as well as a demonstration of leadership. Sponsors for the awards were Phil and Debbie Konarik.
Receiving this award for 2020 were Natalie Garcia and J.W. Hollas.
Natalie Garcia is a member of the Thorndale 4-H Club. Natalie is the daughter of Eric and Rebecca Garcia. Natalie completed the 9th grade last year and has been a member of 4-H for nine years.
Natalie’s main projects include gardening and horticulture, food and nutrition, public speaking, shooting sports, leadership, goats, and theater and performing arts.
Natalie is a great baker and this summer she videoed how to make bread for 4-H members during the pandemic. Natalie also grew her own garden this year and learned the value of having your own fruits and vegetables. She was excited to have her recordbook go to state for judging.
J.W. Hollas is a member of the Cameron 4-H Club. J.W. is the son of Gery and Theresa Hollas. JW completed the 9th grade last year and has been a 4-H member for 10 years including three years as a Cloverbud.
J.W.’s main projects include poultry, plant and soil science, consumer education, healthy lifestyles, leadership, and community service. J.W. enjoys competing in consumer education and healthy lifestyles and has done very well at the San Antonio Consumer Contest and Texas 4-H Roundup. J.W. has a great talent at Plant ID and has won many awards at the major stock shows in Plant ID.
The Silver Star award is for 4-Hers ages 11-13. A recordbook is required to apply for this award. These awards are sponsored by David and Margia Barkemeyer.
These awards were won by Hannah Bakken, Harleigh Barrett, Klaybourne Eschberger, Camryn Green and Mackenzie Mahan.
Hannah Bakken of the Milano 4-H Club. Hannah is the daughter of Buck and Marie Bakken.
Harleigh Barrett is a member of the Thorndale 4-H Club. Harleigh is the daughter of Kelley and Anita Barrett.
Klaybourne Eschberger is a member of the Rockdale 4-H Club. Klaybourne is the son of Kevin and April Eschberger.
Camryn Green is a member of the Cameron 4-H Club. Camryn is the daughter of Dennis and Misty Green.
Mackenzie Mahan is a member of the Cameron 4-H Club. Mackenzie is the daughter of Joe and Wendy Mahan.
The Bronze Star awards were sponsored by The Bling Box Boutique (Jeremy and Courtney Renaud). This award is for 4-Hers 8-10 years of age. Receiving this award was Luke Holcombe of the Cameron 4-H Club. Luke is the son of Andy and Micah Holcombe.
District Attorney Bill Torrey, Buckholts State Bank, and The Bling Box Boutique sponsored the County Achievement awards.
The Clover Award is for beginner members between the ages of 5-8.
4-Hers receiving this award were: Landree Leifeste of the Cameron 4-H, Laramie Mahan of the Cameron 4-H, Emma McAnulty of the Cameron 4-H and Sloan Sanders of the Cameron 4-H.
The Rookie Award which is available to any 4-Her in their first year of membership. The 4-Her receiving this award was Luke Holcombe of the Cameron 4-H.
The Honor Roll award is for Junior members between the ages of 8-10. 4-Hers receiving this award were Riley Clinard of the Thorndale 4-H, Kenzie Hobbs of the Thorndale 4-H, Luke Holcombe of the Cameron 4-H, Shawn Leifeste of the Cameron 4-H, and Colby McAnulty of the Cameron 4-H.
The All Star award winners are intermediate members ages 11-13. 4-Hers receiving this award were Bradley Bakken of the Milano 4-H, Hannah Bakken of the Milano 4-H, Harleigh Barrett of the Thorndale 4-H, Corley Callahan of the Cameron 4-H, Klaybourne Eschberger of the Rockdale 4-H, Mason Leifeste of the Cameron 4-H, Mackenzie Mahan of the Cameron 4-H, Macy McDaniel of the Rockdale 4-H, Robert Miller of the Gause 4-H, and Kenan Mingus of the Cameron 4-H.
The Letterman award is for Senior members 14-18 years of age. The 4-Her member receiving this award was Natalie Garcia.
Each 4-H club honored a Top Leader and Top Supporter. Club Top Leaders Gifts were sponsored by Steve Young.
Top Leader awards went to: Cameron 4-H Club - Carolyn Hux; Gause 4-H Club - Elizabeth Miller; Rockdale 4-H Club - Sharon McDaniel; Thorndale 4-H Club - Chad and Kristi Hobbs.
Top Supporter awards went to: Cameron 4-H Club - Cameron ISD; Gause 4-H Club - Gause ISD; Rockdale 4-H Club - New Salem Extension Education Association; Shooting Sports 4-H Club - New Salem Extension Education Association; and Thorndale 4-H Club - Thorndale Meat Market.
Milam County 4-Hers that have placed first at a State Contest received a jacket for this achievement. This award can only be received one time in their 4-H career.
Four 4-Hers received this award at the 4-H Banquet.
First time state winners included: Wylie Barrett sponsored by Buddy and Marilyn Johnson, Noah Bradley sponsored by Bradley Plumbing, Carlie Eason sponsored by Circle S BBQ, and Jadyn Parker sponsored by Anderle Lumber Company.
Texas Shooting Sports team competed at the National level this year. We want to congratulate Addie Reisner from Milam County. Cameron Lions Club sponsored an award for Addie.
County Recordbook awards were presented by Club Managers, County Commissioners, and Anderle Lumber Company. Citizens National Bank and Anderle Lumber Company sponsored the 4-H recordbook pins.
4-Hers receiving awards were:
Cameron 4-H Club - Colby Barton, Connor Barton, Corley Callahan, Kincaid Callahan, Camryn Green, Colby Green, Luke Holcombe, JW Hollas, Landree Leifeste, Mason Leifeste, Shawn Leifeste, Laramie Mahan, Mackenzie Mahan, Kenan Mingus, Sloan Sanders, and Sydney Vaculin
Gause 4-H Club - Robert Miller; Milano 4-H Club- Bradley Bakken and Hannah Bakken
Rockdale 4-H Club – Klaybourne Eschberger, Jack Luckey, Ryan Luckey, and Mallory McDaniel
Thorndale 4-H Club - Harleigh Barrett, Wylie Barrett, Riley Clinard, Natalie Garcia, Kennedy Hobbs, Kenzie Hobbs, Gabriel Ramthun, and Grant Widner
The Mr. and Miss for Milam County 4-H were given to Hunter Hux and Kenan Mingus of the Cameron 4-H Club, and Grant Widner and Kaylee Jackson of the Thorndale 4-H Club were named Prince and Princess 4-H. Judge Steve Young was the sponsor of these plaques.
2021 Graduating High School Seniors will be recognized in the spring closer to graduation. Graduating Senior Awards are sponsored by Cameron Autoplex.
The 2020-2021 4-H County Council Officers and Club Managers/Project Leaders were recognized. County Council Officer Pins and Club and Project Leader Gifts were sponsored by Classic Bank and EBCO General Contractors.
Leading the Milam County 4-H will be officers: Chairman Grant Widner; First Vice Chairman Sydney Vaculin; Delegate at Large Natalie Garcia; Vice Chairman for 4-H Promotion Kennedy Hobbs; Vice Chairman Community Service Marisol Hill; Vice Chairman for Summer Activities Mason Leifeste; Secretary Gabriel Ramthun; Treasurer Robert Miller; Public Relations Officer JW Hollas; and Parliamentarian Wylie Barrett.
The Milam County 4-H County Council Officers demonstrate leadership skills. They will provide leadership to younger 4-H members and be leaders in the Milam County 4-H program. They will be leading workshops and assisting County Extension Agents at their programs throughout the year. These are our leaders of tomorrow!
The following Club Managers and Project Leaders were recognized at the banquet.
Club managers recognized were:
Cameron 4-H Club: Theresa Hollas and Samantha Leifeste; Gause 4-H Club: Elizabeth Miller and Amy Hill
Milano 4-H Club: Lisa Owens and Marie Bakken
Rockdale 4-H Club: Sharon McDaniel and Tina Bartsch
Thorndale 4-H Club: Kristi Hobbs and Becky Garcia
Shooting Sports 4-H Club: Keely Reisner and Tarrin Warren
Milam County 4-H Financial Advisor: Amy Hill
Plant Identification Project Group: Irby McWilliams
Consumer Education Project Group: Micah Holcombe
Horse Judging Project Group: Cassie Callahan/Lyndi Sanders
Healthy Lifestyles Project Group: Kelly Cooper and Elizabeth Miller
4-H FCH Coalition: Micah Holcombe and Elizabeth Miller
Ag Product ID: Cindy Widner and Jocelyn Ramthun
Photography: Judge Steve Young and Garry Karber
Livestock Judging: Taylor Shearrer and Floyd Ingram.
Thank you to the following sponsors who helped make our 4-H Banquet a success: Anderle Lumber Company, Bradley Plumbing, Buckholts State Bank, Buddy and Marilyn Johnson, Cameron Autoplex, Cameron Lions Club, Circle S BBQ, Citizens National Bank, Classic Bank, County Judge Steve Young, David and Margia Barkemeyer, District Attorney Bill Torrey, EBCO General Contractor, Little River Event Center, Livestock Nutrition Center, Milam County Livestock Auction, Phil and Debbie Konarik, and The Bling Box Boutique.
We really want to say thank you to all of our supporters of the 4-H program and Banquet sponsors. It really means a lot to all the 4-H families to have such great support in our communities and Milam County. Thank you to all the members, clubs, and leaders who helped make it a success!
For information and resources on these great 4-H related activities, please go to the www.Join4-h.com or www.facebook.com/milamcountyfourH
For more information about Milam County 4-H, please call the Milam County Extension Office at (254) 697-7045 or email Micah Holcombe, FCS Agent, at mlholcombe@ag.tamu.edu or Floyd Ingram, Ag Agent, at Floyd.Ingram@ag.tamu.edu.