4-H members honored for hard work

The annual 4-H Awards Banquet was held recently honoring 375 of Warren County’s most outstanding 4-H members. Club sponsors and volunteer leaders were also recognized at the event held at the McMinnville Civic Center. Awards were presented to the most outstanding junior, junior high and senior high 4-H members, along with sponsor and volunteer leader recognition. 4-H members receiving special awards were: Austin Barry, most outstanding junior 4-H member; Brennan Lytle, outstanding junior high 4-H member, Lindsey Clayton, outstanding senior high 4-H member Level I, and Joshua Moore, outstanding senior high 4-H member Level II. Being honored as outstanding volunteer leader was Tressa Moore. Other awards were presented to the top three 4-H members in each grade division with junior awards going to Clay Prater, Ryan Mellons and Martin Grissom. The junior high top three included Hamilton Spivey, John-Adam Turner and Mac Britton. The senior high top three were presented to Erika Betschart, Matthew Hibdon and Lauren Lytle. Four 4-H clubs were also awarded for their participation, enthusiasm, and involvement in 4-H club meetings by being presented club of the year awards. The fourth-grade club of the year was Mrs. Rowland’s class at Eastside. The fifth-grade club of the year was presented to Mrs. Graves’ class at Hickory Creek, and the sixth grade plaque was awarded to Mrs. McBride’s class at Dibrell. The most outstanding 4-H secretary award was presented to Katelyn Armstrong, fourth-grade student in Roxanne Crain’s Hickory Creek class. The officer team award also went to Crain’s fourth-grade officers. Over 300 4-H members were also presented the local 100 percent award for participating in every local contest held during the school year. Receiving special recognition was fifth-grader Ryan Mellons, who designed the winning 4-H Poster and was presented with a T-shirt featuring his design. Other 4-H’ers recognized for their county winning 4-H posters were Bliss Zechman, WCMS; Merek McColloch, Hickory Creek; Lily Marttala, Hickory Creek and Austin Barry, Centertown. Dairy Poster winners recognized were Austin Barry, overall winner, Centertown; Ariel Copeland, Eastside; Hannah Few, Centertown; Emily Gawel, WCMS; Joshua Moore, WCHS and Austin Wright, Centertown. Trophies were also presented to County 4-H Photo Search winners for their winning photographs. Recipients were: Joshua Moore, WCMS; Ryan Mellons, Bobby Ray; Lindsey Clayton, WCHS; Jane Basham, home school; Lauren Crothers, Centertown; Matthew Hibdon, WCHS; Larissa Lopez, Eastside; Lauren Lytle, WCHS; Alan Sandlin, Dibrell and Austin Wright, Centertown. Moore and Clayton were also recognized as being State 4-H Photo Search Winners. 4-H white, red and blue ribbon sponsors received certificates and plaques for their generous support of the 4-H program. Other 4-H members were awarded with pins and medals for their accomplishments in 4-H project work, judging teams and leadership contributions.