Milam County 4-Hers honored at annual banquet

By Micah Holcombe

Special to the Herald

The 2016 Milam County 4-H Banquet was held on Sunday, Sept. 11, at the Thorndale Fireman’s Hall.  

The afternoon program gave recognition to businesses and individuals for supporting the 4-H program and to 4-Hers achieving success in their projects and contests.

The most recognized and highest award for 4-H is the Gold Star Award. This award was presented to two desiring 4-H members. Patrick Dean and Hannah Hux received this award for 2016. 

The first Gold Star recipient is Hannah Hux. Hux is the daughter of Jeff and Carolyn Hux. She has been a member of the Cameron 4-H Club for the past 10 years. Her main projects include consumer decision making, leadership, clothing and textiles, and health. 

The second Gold Star recipient was Patrick Dean. Dean is the son of James and Susan Dean. He has been a member of the Rockdale and Shooting Sports 4-H Club for the past 11 years. His main projects include shooting sports, natural resources, wildlife and fisheries, and photography. 

Sponsors for this award are U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, Cameron Chamber of Commerce, Milam County Farm Bureau and Ideal Poultry.

The I Dare You Award was presented to three 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 award were Phil and Debbie Konarik. 

Receiving this award for 2016 were Caitlin Garcia of the Thorndale 4-H Club, Hannah Hux of the Cameron 4-H Club and Scott Widner of the Thorndale 4-H Club. 

Garcia is the daughter of Eric and Rebecca Garcia, Hux is the daughter of Jeff and Carolyn Hux, and Widner is the son of Kevin and Cindy Widner. 

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 Marek Burns Laywell Funeral Home of Cameron.   

Receiving this award was Garrett Bernstein of the Thorndale 4-H Club, Heath Hollas of the Cameron 4-H Club, Rebecca Kostroun of the Cameron 4-H Club, Abbigail Miller of the Gause 4-H Club, and Sydney Vaculin of the Cameron 4-H Club. Bernstein is the son of Kassie Tyroch. Hollas is the son of Gery and Theresa Hollas. Kostroun is the daughter of Richard and Sara Kostroun. Miller is the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Miller. Vaculin is the daughter of Brandon and Choya Vaculin.

County Judge Dave Barkemeyer was sponsor for the Bronze Star awards. This award is for 4-Hers 8-10 years of age.  

Receiving this award were J.W. Hollas of the Cameron 4-H Club, Robert Miller of the Gause 4-H Club, and Macie Vaculin of the Cameron 4-H Club. Hollas is the son of Gery and Theresa Hollas, Miller is the son of Robert and Elizabeth Miller, and Vaculin is the daughter of Brandon and Choya Vaculin.

District Judge John Youngblood and Cameron Autoplex sponsored the County Achievement awards. 

The clover award is for beginner members between the ages of 5-8. 4-Hers receiving this award were: Harleigh Barrett and Cheyenne Stevenson, both of the Thorndale 4-H Club. 

The Rookie Award which is available to any 4-Her in their first year of membership. The 4-Her receiving this award was Aiyanna Stevenson of the Thorndale 4-H. 

The honor roll award is for junior members ages 8-10.  4-Hers receiving this award were: Connor Barton of the Cameron 4-H, J.W. Hollas of the Cameron 4-H, Ryan Luckey of the Rockdale 4-H, Jack Luckey of the Rockdale 4-H, and Macie Vaculin of the Cameron 4-H. 

The all star award winners are intermediate members ages 11-13. 4-Hers receiving this award were: Jacob Barron of the Thorndale 4-H, Colby Barton of the Cameron 4-H, Garrett Bernstein of the Thorndale 4-H, Heath Hollas of the Cameron 4-H, Hunter Hux of the Cameron 4-H, Abbigail Miller of the Gause 4-H, Jacob Pedroza of the Thorndale 4-H, Gabriel Ramthun of the Rockdale 4-H, Sydney Vaculin of the Cameron 4-H, Amie Weaver of the Milano 4-H, Amber Weaver of the Milano 4-H, and Grant Widner of the Thorndale 4-H. 

The Letterman award is for senior members ages 14-18.  4-Hers receiving this award were Chandler Barton of the Cameron 4-H, Neeraj Bhakta of the Cameron 4-H, Cameron Cooper of the Gause 4-H, Patrick Dean of the Rockdale 4-H, Caitlin Garcia of the Thorndale 4-H, Julia Harwell of the Cameron 4-H, Hannah Hux of the Cameron 4-H, and Scott Widner of the Thorndale 4-H.

Each 4-H club honored a Top Leader and Top Supporter. Club Top Leaders Gifts were sponsored by County Attorney, Bill Torrey. Top Leaders were: Cameron 4-H Club - Cassie Callahan; Milano 4-H Club - Wendy Stewart; Rockdale 4-H Club - Susan Dean; Shooting Sports 4-H Club:- Stacey Pedroza; and Thorndale 4-H Club - Becky Garcia and Jami and Kirk Becker. Top supporters were: Cameron 4-H Club - Cameron Yoe High School; Gause 4-H Club - Metropolitan Water; Milano 4-H Club - Milano High School; Rockdale 4-H Club - New Salem Extension Education Association; Shooting Sports 4-H Club - New Salem Extension Education Association; and Thorndale 4-H Club - Floyd Zuehlke Family.

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. Nine 4-Hers received this award at the 4-H Banquet. 

First time State winners included: Garrett Bernstein - Sponsor Budget Host Inn and Suites, Vaughn Kostroun - Sponsor Bradley Plumbing, Jack Luckey - Sponsor Rockdale Memorial, Robert Miller - Sponsor Anderle Lumber Company, Stiles Patin - Sponsor Rodenbeck Farm & Ranch and Thorndale Meat Market, Taije Schroeder - Sponsor Buddy and Marilyn Johnson, Trayle Schroeder - Sponsor Buckholts State Bank, Trew Schroeder - Cameron Cleaners and Circle S BBQ, and Brooklyn Youngblood - Sponsor Classic Bank.

Repeat first place State contest winners were also recognized at the Banquet.    

County Recordbook awards were presented by Club Managers and County Commissioners Richard “Opey” Watkins, Donald Shuffield and Jeff Muegge. Citizens National Bank sponsored the 4-H recordbook pins. 

4-Hers receiving awards were: Cameron 4-H Club - Chandler Barton, Neeraj Bhakta, Julia Harwell, Heath Hollas, J.W. Hollas, Hannah Hux, Rebecca Kostroun, Kevin Junek, Macie Vaculin and Sydney Vaculin; Gause 4-H Club - Cameron Cooper, Kendall Lee, Abbigail Miller and Robert Miller; Rockdale 4-H Club - Patrick Dean, Jack Luckey and Ryan Luckey; Thorndale 4-H Club - Jacob Barron, Garrett Bernstein, Caitlin Garcia, Danielle Garcia, Jacob Pedroza, Gabriel Ramthun, Aiyanna Stevenson, Cheyenne Stevenson, Grant Widner and Scott Widner.

Milam County 4-Hers are involved in many projects and contests throughout the year.  Here is a listing of what 4-H has to offer in Milam County. Calf Scramble, 4-H Camp and workshops,  Consumer Decision Making, District Leadership Lab, Food Show, Healthy Lifestyles, Horse Judging, Livestock Judging, Poultry Judging,  Local and Major Livestock Shows, Photography, Plant ID and Range Evaluation, State Roundup Contests, Scholarship, Shooting Sports Contests and State Brigades.

The Mr. and Miss for Milam County 4-H nominees were announced. Kevin Junek and Rebecca Kostroun represent the Cameron 4-H Club, Troy Montoya and Hannah Bakken represent the Milano 4-H Club, and Gabriel Ramthun and Natalie Garcia represent the Thorndale 4-H Club. Gause 4-H Club and Rockdale 4-H Club are still to be announced. Fundraising for this contest will be held Aug. 1 through May 1, 2016. These representatives and their parents are in charge of fundraising for their club.

Graduating high school seniors were also recognized. Graduating Senior Awards were sponsored by EBCO Development and Rockdale Country Ford. Seniors honored were Savannah Garcia of the Thorndale 4-H, Cameron Cooper of the Gause 4-H Club, Julia Harwell of the Cameron 4-H Club and Hannah Hux of the Cameron 4-H Club. 

The 2016-2017 4-H County Council Officers and club managers and project leaders were also recognized. County Council officer pins and Club and Project Leader gifts were sponsored by the Cameron Lions Club. 

Leading the Milam County 4-H will be officers: Chairman Julia Harwell, First Vice Chairman Scott Widner, Delegate at Large Neeraj Bhakta, Vice Chairman 4-H Promotion Patrick Dean, Vice Chairman Community Service Cameron Cooper, Vice Chairman Summer Activities Gabriel Ramthun, Secretary Abbigail Miller, Treasurer Jacob Pedroza, Public Relations Caitlin Garcia, and Parliamentarian Heath Hollas.

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: Cameron - Theresa Hollas and Monica Barton; Gause - Wanda Lee, Kelly Lee-Cooper and Elizabeth Miller; Milano - Tamesha Weaver and Becky Thurman ; Rockdale - Susan Dean and Paul and Rebecca Luckey; Thorndale - Becky Garcia and Cindy Widner; Shooting Sports - Brian and Diane Preusse and Keely Reisner; Plant Identification Project Group - Irby McWilliams; Consumer  Education Project Group - Micah Holcombe and Gail Hollas; Horse Judging  Project Group - Monica Barton; Livestock Judging Project Group - Samantha Leifeste and Floyd Ingram; Healthy Lifestyles Project Group - Kelly Cooper and Elizabeth Miller; and 4-H FCS Coalition - Micah Holcombe, Tricia Harwell, Elizabeth Miller, Becky Garcia and Darleen Tucker.

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.