A nice crowd attended the Edwards County 4-H Achievement Night held Monday at COUNTRY Financial Hall in Albion. Area youth, leaders, and clubs were honored for their accomplishments over the 2023-2024 4-H year.

The “Club of the Year” Award went to the Ellery Panthers 4-H Club.

Aleya Bare was honored as the 4-H’er of the year.

Kelly Hinderliter received the Novice Member of the Year and Sydney Williams received the Jr. Member of the Year.

“Cream of the Crop” awards went to four members. The award focuses on attitude and willingness to help others. The members were helping, on their own and was not based on 4-H records. The individuals who received the award were: Justin Bunting, J.W. Simms-Reisner, Bristol Duncan and Gracie Fenton. They received a 4-H sweatshirt Edwards County Soil and Water District sponsored these awards.

The Best Club Secretary Award trophies went to Ellery Panthers – Hallie Shelton and Hayley Perry.

Aleya Bare received the “I Dare You” award, with the University of Illinois Extension donating the award. Members who “achieve their highest potential and live lives of leadership and service,” receive this award.

Nine members received an Alumni Pin: Matthew Bare, Olivia Bosecker, Trenton Jefferson, Lidia Kelsey, Lillian Nussmeyer, Natalie Shelby, Gabriella Spencer, Elizabeth Spillman, and Hanna Waggoner.

Trophy winners included: Hannah Perry, Best Constructed Garment for Clothing. Alyssa Smith 4-H Speech Contest, Illustrated Speech, 8-13 Years Old. Gracie Fenton 4-H Speech Contest, Formal Speech, 8-13 Years Old.

Among other awards presented were: Clean Sheep Pen Award; Zoie and Zeb Ankenbrand donor George Fewkes. Clean Beef Stall Award; Kelly Hinderliter, Clean Swine Pen Award; Brook Greathouse, and Clean Goat Pen Award; Ellie and Lucas Troyer, Electricity Award; Aiden Houser, Leadership Award; Hayley Perry, and Community Service Awards; Aleya Bare and Hayley Perry. Hayley Perry received The Chicagoland Food Science Foundation certificate and gift card for having the best Food Science Project for Edwards County. Kim VanMatre was the “Volunteer of the Year.”

Jessica Bare and Grace Thomason co-leaders of the Bone Gap Cardinals 4-H Club received a pin and certificate for their first year as leaders. Greg and Abby Shelton, also, received a pin and certificate for five years of co-leading the Ellery Panthers.

Lillian Nussmeyer and Aly Williams received the Jan Schuh Scholarship.

Thirty-two members received experience awards. To receive this award each participant must apply to be eligible and mark the experiences that they have achieved for the year. There are four dimensions of experience: Participation, Community Service, Leadership and Project Learning.

Congratulations to all the winners! Thank you to all the parents, leaders, and donors of awards to make this evening special for our youth.