Annual Awards Announced During Emerald Circle Celebration
K-State Research and Extension news service
MANHATTAN, Kan. ā The Kansas 4-H Youth Development program has recognized more than three dozen youth as state project award winners.
Sarah Maass, state leader for the Kansas 4-H program, said “being a state project winner indicates prior excellence and points to (youth’s) future potential.”
“Youth must display leadership skills and hearts for service by organizing events like community service projects, project meetings to share their expertise with younger 4-H members, and other unique efforts,” Maass said.
One state winner is selected yearly from the senior division (ages 14-18) in 45 project categories. Kansas 4-H youth submit a project report form, which is a summary of their work in a certain project.
Maass notes that in addition to learning new project skills, youth must also demonstrate growth and strength in leadership, organization, civic engagement and communication within the project.
This year’s project winners, in alphabetical order by county or extension district, are:
- Butler CountyĀ Ā ā Riley Garcia, Dairy.
- Central Kansas District,Ā Saline Countyā Eian Pracht, Uncrewed Aircraft System.
- Central Kansas District,Ā Saline Countyā Acacia Pracht, Visual Arts.
- Central Kansas District, Saline Countyā Jaelyn Gates, Wildlife.
- Central Kansas District, Ottawa CountyĀ ā Lillian Hulse, Communications.
- Chisholm Trail District,Ā Dickinson Countyā Josslyn DePew, Dog.
- Chisholm Trail District,Ā Dickinson Countyā Justin Latzke, Electrical and Renewable Energy.
- Chisholm Trail District,Ā Dickinson Countyā Eyler Holt, Meat Goat.
- Chisholm Trail District,Ā Dickinson Countyā Carleigh Abeldt, Sheep.
- Coffey CountyĀ ā Morgan Vogts, Family Studies.
- Coffey CountyĀ ā Alonna Rodgers, Vet Science.
- Cowley CountyĀ ā Anthony Jelinek, Aerospace/Rocketry.
- Harvey CountyĀ ā Jaeann James, Reading Adventures.
- Johnson CountyĀ ā Ellie Bustamante, Computer Science.
- Johnson CountyĀ ā George Delancy, Entomology.
- Leavenworth CountyĀ ā Mackenzie Calovich, Horse.
- Lyon CountyĀ ā Alycia Granado, Rabbits.
- Marais des Cygnes District,Ā Miami Countyā Max Bauer, Foods and Nutrition.
- McPherson CountyĀ ā Stone Nichols, Woodworking.
- Meadowlark District,Ā Jefferson Countyā Karson Kahler, Agronomy.
- Meadowlark District,Ā Jefferson Countyā Abraham Noll, Poultry.
- Meadowlark District,Ā Jefferson Countyā Aurora Hoffman, Sewing and Textile Design.
- Midway District,Ā Ellsworth Countyā Josey Norris, Shooting Sports.
- Phillips- Rooks District, Phillips Countyā Hannah Walker, Performing Arts.
- Phillips-Rooks District,Ā Phillips Countyā Savannah Bretton, Photography.
- Post Rock District,Ā Mitchell Countyā Norah Ellenz, Health and Wellness.
- Pottawatomie CountyĀ ā Taylor Bryant, Forestry.
- River Valley District,Ā Washington Countyā Adelyn Oakes, Shopping in Style.
- Russell County,Ā Midway District ā Kierra Eck, Leadership.
- Sedgwick CountyĀ ā Genevieve Crouch, Geology.
- Shawnee CountyĀ ā Miles Burgess, Robotics.
- Southwind District,Ā Allen Countyā Kyser Nemecek, Self-Determined.
- Sunflower District,Ā Wallace Countyā Kasen Stramel, Swine.
- Thomas CountyĀ ā Reagan Frantz, Horticulture and Landscape Design.
- Wildcat District, Wilson Countyā Tatum Francis, Ag Mechanics Welding.
- Wild West District,Ā Haskell Countyā Clayton Kunselman, Civic Engagement.
- Wild West District,Ā Haskell Countyā Trelawney Horinek, Fiber Arts.
- Wild West District,Ā Stevens Countyā Kassidy Kirkham, Beef.
Award winners were recognized during the Emerald Circle celebration, which was hosted for the first time this year by the State 4-H Office with funding provided by the Kansas 4-H Foundation. Officials say each state award winner’s project report forms progress through county, regional and statewide evaluations before the state winner in each project area is named.
“We also know our 4-H members’ success does not come without the support of family, mentors, volunteers and extension agents who work with our 4-H youth on the local level. The youth/adult partnership is evident at this level and we’re grateful for the time our adults give to guide our 4-H youth,” said Amy Collins, program coordinator with Kansas 4-H.
State 4-H project award winners are also eligible to attend the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia, in November. Numerous donors provide support for project winner’s trip to the National 4-H Congress, through the Kansas 4-H Foundation.
More information about opportunities available through the Kansas 4-H Youth Development program is available online.
