The Pierce County 4-H Achievement Day was held Sunday, October 23, 2022, in Randolph.
The 4-H youth and adults participated in a variety of skill games.
4-H Council members were thanked for their years of service. Clover Buds, 1st Year, 5th Year and 10th Year 4-H Members were recognized and received certificates and their pins.
The 4-H leaders were also recognized for their many years of volunteering. Leaders receiving special recognition were 5th year Sarah Endorf, Jessica Evans, Scott Fritz, and Kate Siebrandt; 10th year Kim Huwaldt; 15th year Jan White; 25th year-Kevin Flesner, Don Huwaldt, William Latimer, and Jennifer Thomsen; 45th year Gene & Velma Thomsen. Also being recognized were the Nebraska State Fair Special Recognition winners Sarah Fenton – Photography, Clay White – Beef, Matthew Alderson – Food Preservation, Brandon Thomsen – Woodworking. Article writers for the 2022 Norfolk Daily News 4-H Special Edition, and the youth who had participated in shooting sports contests through the year.
4-H members graduating from high school with the class of 2023 will be Luke Endorf, Ashton Koch, Carter Olson, Alena Peters, Kaila Spieker, Matthew Steffen. The graduating seniors that were in 4-H for six years or more were awarded an American Eagle silver coin by the Pierce County 4-H Council.
The Outstanding 4-H Alumni Award was presented to Jeremy and Sharel Olson of Randolph. The Friend of 4-H Award was presented to Mary Kruger of Randolph.
The following awards are awarded based on the Achievement Application that is turned in to the Pierce 4-H Council and then voted upon. Receiving an award for their Outstanding 4-H Achievement Application, 4-H Event Scholarship, & Day Camp Scholarship was Sara Thomsen of Pierce.
The following applied and received their Level Awards through the Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover Program. Level 1 Amethyst – Ella Becker, Tara Friedrichsen, Joseph Gubbels, Hannah Hickman, Brayden Passyka, Mckaylin Passyka, Jobe Schmitz, Elizabeth Venteicher; and Level 4 Sapphire-Michaela McWilliams; Level Five Emerald – Brandon Thomsen; Level Six Diamond – Sara Thomsen.
The Outstanding 4-H Exhibitor is decided by the number of ribbons that a youth receives at the Pierce County Fair. Purples are worth 4, Blues 3, Reds 2, and Whites 1. The 2022 Outstanding 4-H Exhibitor is Matthew Alderson of Osmond.
The Outstanding 4-H Member award is voted upon at the 4-H Council Meeting.
The 2022 Outstanding 4-H Member was awarded to Kaila Spieker of Pierce.