Washita Co. 4-H Members Recognized for 2019-2020 Accomplishments

The Washita County 4-H annual awards program looked a little different this year. The choice of open air at the Lee Park in Cordell was enjoyed by 13 members and their families on Tuesday, September 29, 2020. 4-H members and leaders were recognized for their hard work and support during the 2019-2020 4-H program year. Jordan Mason, our outgoing Washita County 4-H President emceed the event.

Eleven 4-H members and three Cloverbuds from across the county submitted 4-H Record Books. The following 4-H Cloverbuds (K-2nd grade) received an Outstanding Cloverbud trophy for completing their record book. Waverly Schneberger & Abel Ledesma of Burns Flat-Dill City and Cambree Moore of Cordell.

Junior and Senior 4-Hers (3rd to 12th grades) also received awards for their 4-H Record Book submissions. Kathryn and Abigail Sirmon of Burns Flat-Dill City received a Green Award Certificate. 4-Hers who also submitted additional details about their project(s) not only received the Green Award, but also received the Excellence in Recordkeeping award along with the 4-H pin(s) representing their project. Junior 4-H Record Book Division honorees were: Braxton Barnett of Burns Flat-Dill City (Plant Science), Zada Baker of Sentinel (Sheep), Delainee Moore and Dylan Edison of Cordell (both Swine), and Everett Huntzinger of Rocky (Entomology). Braxton, Delainee and Zada were this year’s Top 3 Junior 4-H Members. The top 3 were interviewed about their project and 4-H experiences. This year Delainee Moore won the Outstanding Junior 4-Her Award. She will receive a custom embroidered gar ment bag with her name.

Senior 4-H Record Book Division honorees: Jacob Baker of Sentinel (Sheep), Madison Church, Canute (Goat), Jordan Mason, Burns Flat-Dill City (Leadership) and Brance Barnett, Burns Flat-Dill City (Agriculture and Natural Resources). All received a Green Award, Excellence in Record Keeping along with a project medal. Madison, Jordan and Brance were this year’s Top 3 Senior 4-H Members with Jordan Mason recognized as the Outstanding Senior 4-H Member. Jordan also received a $500 Washita County 4-H Scholarship to use to help with college tuition.

Madison, Jordan and Brance’s record books were recognized with medallions at the state level as Top 3 Finalist in their project areas. They all completed interviews about their project this summer. Brance Barnett was selected as the State Winner in All Other Projects-Agriculture and Natural Resources receiving a $1,200 college scholarship sponsored by Dr. Gary & Becky Stone of Chandler and the Oklahoma Vegetable Management Association. On a normal year, these outstanding senior 4-H’ers would have been involved in the State 4-H Roundup Honors Night with a dinner and the opportunity to go across the big stage in Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Outstanding 4-H clubs have high participation in county events, contests, record books and fundraising. The Outstanding Jr 4-H Club went to the Burns Flat-Dill City Junior 4-H and the Outstanding Senior Club went to Burns Flat-Dill City Senior 4-H. Erin Schneberger, Burns Flat-Dill City, was recognized as this year’s Outstanding 4-H Leader.

The Outstanding Fair Exhibitor Award is presented to the 4-H member that entered the most exhibits in the 4-H Division of the Washita County Free Fair in 2019. A trophy was presented to Jordan Mason, Burns Flat-Dill City to recognize her for 38 4-H entries.

This year, Washita County 4-H recognized our four public schools for their partnership and cooperation. The schools allow for 4-H meetings, events and contests on their campus and encourage 4-H participation recognizing that it does provide positive youth development. Furthermore, the schools’ agriculture education instructors continue to assist the youth with livestock projects. Thank you and Congratulations to Burns Flat-Dill City, Canute, Cordell and Sentinel Public Schools for receiving the Outstanding 4-H Supporter Award.

Washita County 4-H members are fortunate to have many supporters that promote the organization, as well as encourage student success. Some give their much appreciated time and encouraging words. Others also give financially. On behalf of all the 4-H members and Extension Staff, we would like to thank all the communities of Washita County for continued support of the 4-H program and of our youth. We especially appreciate the following donors that have pledged support for Washita County 4-H programs and awards: 5-G Storage & Parking, Leo, Sherri & Matthew Goeringer; Bank of Cordell; Bank of Western Oklahoma, Cordell; Burlap & Bling; Farmer’s Cooperative Exchange; First National Bank & Trust, Elk City; From Scratch Bakery and Catering; High Plains Bank; Judy Sturgeon Family; Keith’s Butcher Shop; Pat Barnes & Family, In Memory of Bud Barnes; Ron McKee Crop Insurance; Roy & Judy Lindsey; Phil Kliewer; Washita County Farm Bureau.

Oklahoma 4-H is dedicated to helping Oklahoma youth, families, and communities reach their full potential. By providing hands-on programming and events in a large variety of projects. 4-H is not only helping youth learn the life skills they need to be the leaders of tomorrow, but it is also teaching its members they can lead today and can make tangible, significant changes in their clubs, their communities, their state and their world.