2024 Douglas County 4-H Achievement Celebration
by Nancy Noyes
4-H Youth Development Program Assistant
Our Annual Achievement Celebration was held on November 10th on the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Building 21. This event was well-attended by 4-H Families and KSRE staff. We come together every year to celebrate the recognition of champion and blue award report forms and yearly achievement pins of members, and the exemplary leadership of both youth and adults.
Kansas 4-H Member Achievement pins are designed to recognize 4-H members as they reach
milestones throughout their 4-H journey. The pins are in a series. As a member 4-H progresses, the achievement pin requirements expand to challenge individuals to explore and engage in greater opportunities to develop the range of life skills as the iconic “H” of each of the four symbolizes.
Project Achievement Report is a cornerstone of the 4-H program that helps 4-H'ers develop written and oral communication skills as they detail with word and photo their past year in a project of interest and submit a portfolio to be evaluated by a judging panel.
In summary, this year’s Douglas County Achievement Celebration was an afternoon of food and fellowship; of 4-H families gathering to celebrate the members who were recognized for excelling in project records, in community service and in leadership. We applauded the volunteer adult leaders who were nominated by their peers for their exceptional leadership.
The following excerpt was written by Lora Hartwick, a member of Meadowlark 4-H Club and Reporter for Douglas County 4-H Council:
“The special awards for 4-Hers are the “I Dare You” Award, the 4-H Citizenship Award, the 4-H Spirit Award, and the Kansas Key Award. The “I Dare You” award is given to a 4-Her that exemplifies the qualities of leadership. This year’s winner was Rowin Morgan. The 4-H Citizenship award winner was Lydia Hartwick. The 4-H Spirit award goes to someone who follows the values of the 4-H pledge, this award went to Ian Rhea. The Kansas Key award is given to a dedicated 4-Her in the leadership project, this 4-Her is Lydia Folks. The Dea Lieber Outstanding Adult Volunteer Award recipient this year was given to a selfless and generous 4-H volunteer; Susan Theroff. The Dorothy Akin Leadership Award was given to a leader that works hard for their club and community --this leader was Janine Leslie. The Florine Alexander Leadership Award recognizes the innovative and helpful Erik Dallman, county STEM project leader. The Friend of 4-H award winner was Helga Barton, a woman who has served Douglas County 4-H generously and positively for many years. The Clinton Eagles 4-H club was awarded $100 for contributing the greatest amount of service hours to our community, 1,210 hours. The Tim and Jana Flory Family were recognized as the 2024 Outstanding 4-H Family for their countless hours given to helping other 4-H members and their families.”
For more information about the national history of 4-H Awards and Recognition, including scholarships and trips, please visit this website: