Phillips County 4-Hers gather for Achievement Day celebration

Phillips County 4-H members gathered on Sunday, Oct. 6 to recognize member success throughout the year in the annual Achievement Day celebration. Achievement Day was held at the Bank of Colorado Pavilion in Holyoke with members, family, friends and special guests in attendance.

Each year a number of special awards are given to those who go above and beyond in their efforts through 4-H in Phillips County, including the Friend of the 4-H Award. Phillips County 4-H Council accepts nominations for each award and nominees are then voted on by Council members.

The 2024 Friend of the 4-H Award was given to Gina Wear. Wear serves as a Raising Rancher's Club Leader and is an Advisor for the Phillips County 4-H Council.

The Rookie of the Year Award, for 2024, was awarded to Annorah Lueth. Lueth was the Overall Junior Champion at this year's Phillips County Fair. "She was very successful with her visual arts project at the State Fair as well," said local 4-H Extension Agent Jessie Salyards.

Each year the Phillips County 4-H Council also honors one member with the I Dare You Award. The first I Dare You Award was offered in 1941 by William H. Danforth, a successful businessman who dared young people to achieve their highest potential and to influence others through lives of leadership and service. Each I Dare You Award winner receives Danforth's book titled I Dare You, sponsored by Rick and Kathy Haynes.

This year's I Dare You Award winner was Wryder Phipps.

"He will be a great leader because of his kindness, wit and willingness to help others," Salyards said.

A new award, given this year, is the Helping Hands Award, which recognizes youth for their efforts in community service hours. The Junior award winners include Wryder and Sayble Phipps, the Intermediate honor went to Amy Struckmyer and Isaiah Rueter took home the Senior award.

Other honors given at the annual Achievement Day celebration include:

• Club Leader Pins: first year, Brooklyn Plumb and Rebecca Van Pelt; five-year pens, Gina Wear, Kyle Gordon, Lyanne Stanistevan and Minda Mares; 10-year pins, James Miner; and 31 years of service, Karin Kramer;

• Club Completion Certificates, given to clubs when 75 percent of their members complete projects they enroll in: Better Beef Makers, Challengers, Phillips County Trailblazers, Paoli Hustlers and Raising Ranchers;

• 4-H Member Certificates: first-year members: Reese Biesemeier, Bode Fust, Miller Fust, Annorah Lueth, Sayble Phipps and Mackenzie Talich; fifth-year members: Jace Bamford, Peyton Biesemeier, Brodyn Daniel, Ava Ely, Judd Korf, Ainsley Kramer, Allison Plumb, Kortlyn Carpenter and Ruby Santistevan; 10-year members: Lucinda Mares, Alexis Nelson, Sarah Schlachter, Layna Wear and Colby Weber; 13th-year member: Braden Plumb;

• Cloverbuds, members in ages five to seven: first-year, Amelia Kleve, Eddie Dominguez, Lawsyn McCabe, Briseis Lueth, Kobryn Kafka and Skyler Korf; second-year, Aubrey Newman, Bolton Price, Bryce Kramer, Canaan McCabe, Reese Kramer and Sarah Rueter; third-year, Amber Edwards and Maesa Becker;

• Livestock Record book Winners: Juniors: Judd Korf, Grand Champion, and Marlen Korf, Reserve Grand Champion; Intermediate: Jaelynn Miner, Grand Champion, Kason Hadeen, Reserve Grand Champion; Senior: Cash Weber, Grand Champion, and Taylor Frank Reserve Grand Champion;

• Champion Herdsman Awards: Grand Champion Beef Herdsmen, Paoli Hustlers; Grand Champion Swine Herdsmen, Haxtun FFA; Grand Champion Goat Herdsmen, Challengers; Grand Champion Sheep Herdsmen, Trailblazers; Grand Champion Horse Herdsmen, Better Beef Makers; and Grand Champion Rabbit & Poultry Herdsman, Challengers;

• The following 2024-25 Phillips County 4-H Council Officers were installed: President, Lucinda Mares; Vice President, Braden Plumb; Secretary, Kylee Garrett; Treasurer, Paige Oliver; Historian, Layna Wear; Reporter, Mason Boerner; Parliamentarian, Taylor Frank; Senators, Paige Oliver and Braden Plumb; Alternate Senators, Ciara Peterson and Alexis Nelson.