Washington County 4-H recently recognized 4-H volunteers, members and community friends at their Year-end 4-H Celebration.
Service awards were given to several local volunteers completing milestones: 77 Year Volunteer-Charlotte Wagner. 35 Year Volunteer-Elaine Wells, 30 Year Volunteer-Shelly Stollar, 25 Year Volunteers-Vicki Schwartz and Shari Zimmer, 20 Year Volunteers-Sloane Matics, 15 Year Volunteer-Gary Gaughan Jr and Carl McAfee, 10 Year Volunteers-Prudence Burgardt and LeAnn Cline, 8 Year Volunteers-Alexis Lane, Madalyn Treadway, and Michael Tullius, 5 Year Volunteers-Abigale Campbell, Blake Campbell, Emily Griffin, Misty Mason, Katie Roush-Herron, and Sara Schilling, 1 Year Volunteers-Gabrielle Ball, Kelly Faires, Rebecca Hofmann, Debbie Jarrell, Leslie Snyder, Christine McPherson, Scott McPherson, Alisha Schaad, Greg Schaad, Brad Schwendeman, Michelle Schwendeman, and Emily Seaman.
Four special community awards were given to local 4-H advocates for their continuous support for the 4-H program. Each year, the volunteers who serve on the 4-H Advisory Committee select community leaders, 4-H alumni and businesses who have gone above and beyond to help local 4-H. The Friend of 4-H Award was awarded to Claudette Mercer of Marietta Applebees, 4-H Alumni Award winner Sloane Matics, Business Friend of 4-H Award winner Dan & Cathy Lang with Uncle Dan’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream, and Friend of Hervida Award winner Integrity Paving & Sealing.
The program also recognized one outstanding 4-H youth with the Margaret Meredith Leadership Award. The award recognizes older teens who have placed emphasis on leadership, community service, achievement, and work beyond their project and club. The 2023 winner, Elizabeth Loughry is the daughter of Cassandra and Tim Loughry of Marietta and is a 9-year member of the Oak Grove Explorers 4-H Club. Through her club work she has served as Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and recreation leader. The focus of her projects in 4-H projects have been in special interest projects including Safe Use of Guns, Sports Nutrition, Family History Treasure hunt, Let’s Bake Quick Breads, Not just Knots, Photography, Sew Fun, Snack Attack and Let’s Start Cooking. Loughry is a senior at Marietta High School.
Project pins and Special pin awards were awarded to members who have excelled in the project area that they applied for. All members receiving this special honor have developed skills and knowledge in the project area, as well as shown progress in the project when it relates to learning and understanding of the project.
The evening also included recognition of Cloverbud Graduates, Ohio State Fair participants and other award winners. A complete list of 2023 award winners can be found on the OSU Extension website at: https://go.osu.edu/wcforms