Solano County 4-H'ers Honored at End-of-Year Program

SOLANO COUNTY, CA – PHOTOS from top:

• Jack Gardner (center) of Vacaville, a teen teacher of the Solano County 4-H Science/Engineering/Technology Program received a Golden Clover Award for his yearlong work. He received a $500 award, a medallion and a pin, and will be honored at the 2017 4-H State Leadership Conference next July at UC Davis. With him are Aeriel Silva, field representative for Assemblyman Jim Frazier, District #11; and John Vasquez of Vacaville, member of the Solano County Board of Supervisors, District 4
• These second-year junior leaders were among those receiving awards at the Solano County 4-H Achievement Night. From left are Evelyn Young, Rio Vista 4-H Club; Makenna Caulfield, Roving Clovers 4-H Club; Natalie Frenkel and Alec Merodio, Suisun Valley 4-H Club and Francis Agbayani, Vaca Valley 4-H Club. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
• Robert Wright of the Suisun Valley 4-H Club holds his Emerald Star award. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
• Matt Folsom of the Tremont 4-H Club, Dixon, smiles at receiving a championship belt buckle from the Napa/Solano Cattlemen’s Association. He was named the recipient of the Solano County Fair Beef Carcass Contest for having the best beef carcass. With him is Jeff Dittmer of Fairfield of the Napa/Solano Cattlemen’s Association, who presented the award at the Solano County 4-H Achievement Night.
• Oliva Frenkel (left) of the Suisun Valley 4-H Club is the winner of the 2016 Solano County 4-H Program's Alan Hamel Citizenship Award. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
• Francis Agbayani of the Vaca Valley 4-H Club, Vacaville, was named the 2016 county record book winner of the photography, at the intermediate level. He received the award at a recent ceremony at the Suisun Valley School. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
• Kamryn Fullmore of the Roving Clovers 4-H Club, Dixon, won several awards at the Solano County 4-H Achievement Night. She won the countywide award for her cake decorating record book, in the junior category; won a modeling proficiency award; and her bronze star, the first in the star ranks. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
• Clairese Wright of the Suisun Valley 4-H Club, won the 2016 Solano County 4-H Reporter Award and received the award at Achievement Night, attended by all 11 clubs in the county. She also was named the countywide winner of the beset woodworking record book in the intermediate division. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
• Alec Merodio of the Suisun Valley 4-H Club said he learned a lot about camping during the 2016 4-H year. His record book on "Outdoor Adventures, Camping" won the county award at the intermediate level. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
• Linda Layton (center) of the Sherwood Forest 4-H Club, Vallejo, is the 2016 Solano County 4-H Leader of the Year, and Julianna Payne (right), also of Sherwood Forest, is the Solano County 4-H Alumni Award recipient. With them is Valerie Williams, Solano County 4-H Program representative. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

By Kathy Keatley Garvey

Solano County 4-H club members received scores of awards at their end-of-the-year achievement program, held recently in Suisun Valley Elementary School.

Themed “Amazing 4-H Race,” the event honored winners of scholarships, and awards for star ranks, record books, leadership and other awards. All in all, the 4-H year amounted to 7000 photos taken, 12,000 learning experiences documented, 2400 community service hours completed and 560 record books submitted, according to Valerie Williams, Solano County 4-H Program representative.

The Solano County 4-H Youth Development Program, part of the UC Cooperative Extension Program, follows the motto, “Making the best better.” 4-H, which stands for head, heart, health and hands, is open to youths ages 5 to 19. In age-appropriate projects, they learn skills through hands-on learning in projects ranging from arts and crafts, computers and leadership to dog care, poultry, rabbits and woodworking. They develop skills they would otherwise not attain at home or in public or private schools.

All 11 4-H clubs in the county received their club charter seal, earned through developing a 4-H plan at the beginning of the year and submitting the required records. The clubs are Dixon Ridge 4-H, Maine Prairie 4-H, Roving Clovers 4-H and Tremont, 4-H, all of Dixon; Elmira 4-H, Pleasants Valley 4-H and Vaca Valley 4-H, all of the Vacaville area; Westwind 4-H and Suisun Valley 4-H, both of Fairfield-Suisun; Rio Vista 4-H of Rio Vista; and Sherwood Forest 4-H, Vallejo.

Jack Gardner of Vacaville, a member of the Science/Engineering/Technology Program won a Golden Clover award for his work in the Science/Engineering/Technology program. He received a $500 award, a medallion and a pin, and will be honored at the 2017 4-H State Leadership Conference next July at UC Davis.

Audrey Hennigan of the Roving Clovers won a North Central Section Higher Education Scholarship.

Eight 4-H’ers received the 12th annual Lynne Burns Memorial Scholarship, honoring a former Rio Vista resident who served as a 4-H program representative for Solano County in the mid-1980s and early 1990s. The recipients: Charlyn Agbayani, Vaca Valley; Caitlin Estes, Tiffany Lum, Jacob Hall, Anthony Vogliano and Thomas Weisz, Suisun Valley; Audrey Hennigan, Roving Clovers; and Josephine Linan, Sherwood Forest,

Dozens of 4-H’ers received star ranks, achieved through their involvement in club and county activities. To qualify for any of the star ranks a member must attend at least 80 percent of both club and project meetings held during the year and complete requirements. Star ranks begin at bronze, and continue through silver, gold, platinum and emerald.

Robert Wright of the Suisun Valley 4-H Club won the Emerald Star, an advanced leadership opportunity for 4-H members 13 years or older who already hold a silver or gold star rank. Wright’s project benefitted the agricultural program at Suisun Valley Elementary School. His project included building a tool storage rack, tool cleaning station, developing a brochure on tool care and then making presentations to every classroom on proper tool storage and maintenance.

Other star recipients:

Platinum Star: Justin Means, Pleasants Valley; Lindsay Tryba and Elizabeth Williams, Roving Clovers; Jessica Burkett and Josephine Linan, Sherwood Forest; and Samantha Forbes, Alec Merodio and Robert Wright, Suisun Valley

Gold Star: Erica Lull and Adele Phillips, Elmira; Maya Prunty, Pleasants Valley; Blake Boban, Braydon Caulfield and Olivia Wynkoop, Roving Clovers; Samantha Forbes, Alexis Taliaferro and Robert Wright, Suisun Valley; Francis Agbayani and Ben Lui, Vaca Valley

Silver Star: Zoe Sloan, Elmira; Madison Farris and Maya Prunty, Pleasants Valley; Evelyn Young, Rio Vista; Audrey Boban, Julia Palchak, Jason Williams and Olivia Wynkoop, Roving Clovers; Natalie Greene, Sherwood Forest; Kate Frenkel, Madison Meabon and Spencer Merodio, Suisun Valley; Ryan Anenson and Trinity Road, Tremont; Adilene Koelzer, Vaca Valley and Maya Miller, Westwind.

Bronze Star: Kailey Mauldin and Zoe Sloan, Elmira; Maya Farris, Pleasants Valley; Audrey Boban, Lincoln Caulfield, Kamryn Fullmore and Jason Williams, Roving Clovers; Hallie Newell and Juliette Wynholds, Sherwood Forest; Jake Forbes, Madison Meabon and Samantha Sullenger, Suisun Valley; Trinity Roach, Tremont; Caleb Borchers, Marissa Davi and Liam Lui, Vaca Valley;

Junior and teen leader awards went to 4-H members who completed a year in the Leadership Development Project and worked with a project leader to help carry out the requirements.

Teen leaders, ranging in age from 14 through 19, who received awards:

Fourth-year teen leader: Audrey Hennigan, Roving Clovers

Third-year teen leaders: Chase Tanaka, Maine Prairie; Carlin Cline, Rio Vista; Josephine Linan, Sherwood Forest

Second-year teen leader: Adele Phillips, Elmira; Jessica Burkett, Sherwood Forest; Ben Liu, Halie Pringle and Falyn Voss, Vaca Valley; Elizabeth Elder and Cheyenne Miller, Westwind.

First-year teen leaders: Allison Hass and Justin Means, Pleasants Valley; Lindsay Tryba, Elizabeth Williams and Olivia Wynkoop, Roving Clovers; Natalie Greene and Hallie Newell, Sherwood Forest; Ethan Brown, Samantha Forbes and Robert Wright, Suisun Valley; Ryan Anenson, Tremont

Junior leaders receiving awards were ages 11 through 13:

Third-year junior leaders: Erica Lull, Elmira; Jared Tanaka, Maine Prairie; Madison Farris and Maya Prunty, Pleasants Valley; Maya Miller, Westwind

Second-year junior leaders: Evelyn Young, Rio Vista; Makenna Caufield and Lily Gardner, Roving Clovers; Natalie Frenkel and Alec Merodio, Suisun Valley; Francis Agbayani and Adilene Koelzer, Vaca Valley

First-year junior leaders: Kailey Mauldin, Elimra; Sam Esperson and Trevor Gomes, Rio Vista; Blake Boban, Braydon Caulfield, Emma Fullmore and Jason Williams, Roving Clovers; Jake Forbes, Christopher Lang, Joshua Larricq, Alexis Taliaferro and Clairese Wright, Suisun Valley; Matthew Agbayani, Vaca Valley

A number of youths and adult volunteers received THRIVE recognition, completing a program focused around the core content of citizenship, healthy living, and science, engineering, and technology involving sparks, mindset, self-reflection and goal setting habits.

Fourth-year: Sandy Means, Dixon Ridge; Gloria Gonzalez, Natalie Greene and Kara Payne, Sherwood Forest; Megan Mraz, Tremont

Third-year: Erica Lull, Elmira; Krystina Corona, Dixon Ridge; Carlin Cline, Noelle Gomes and Emma Wright, Rio Vista; Josephine Linan, Sherwood Forest; Isabeslle Speer, Tremont

Second-year: Gabby Corona, Dixon Ridge and Ellen Lull, Elmira; Josie Hamilton, Maddy Myer and Evelyn Young, Rio Vista; Ryan Anenson, Audrey Ritchey and Roselle Ritchey, Tremont

First-year: Faith Townsend, Dixon Ridge; Sam Esperson and Trevor Gomes, Rio Vista; Hallie Newell, Sherwood Forest; Francis Agbayani, Matthew Agbayani, Elaine Epstein, Adilene Koelzer, Haley Pringle and Falyn Voss, Vaca Valley

Ethan Brown of the Suisun Valley 4-H Club won the countywide historian award for keeping the best scrapbook. Adilene Koelzer of the Vaca Valley 4-H Club won the newsletter editor’s award; Clairese Wright of the Suisun Valley 4-H Club, the reporter award; Joshua Larricq of the Suisun Valley, the secretary’s award, and Jared Tanaka of the Maine Prairie 4-H, the treasurer’s award.

Olivia Frenkel of the Suisun Valley 4-H Club took home the Alan Hamel Citizenship award, which memorializes a former Dixon 4-H’er whose achievements included winnng the Solano County All-Star Award in 1956.

Other awards:

Demonstration Proficiency Awards (those give a presentation to five different audiences in addition to entering their presentation at County Presentation Day):

Zoe Sloan, Elmira; Maya Farris, Pleasants Valley; Olivia Wynkoop, Roving Clovers; Selah Deuz and Juliette Wynholds, Sherwood Forest; Christopher Land and Madison Meabon, Suisun Valley; Ryan Anenson and Trinity Roach, Tremont; Caleb Borchers, Gianna Guerra, Adrianna Haddon, Liam Lui and Hallee Winschell, Vaca Valley.

Modeling Proficiency: Audrey Boban and Kamryn Fullmore, Roving Clovers; and Juliette Wynholds, Sherwood Forest

Dozens of 4-H’ers won awards for their record books, either the highest award, the county award, or medalist awards.

• 4-H Camp, senior category: county winner Elizabeth Williams, Roving Clovers
• Arts and Crafts, intermediate: county winner Kailey Mauldin, Elmira
• Baking and Breadmaking, junior: county winner Maya Farris, Pleasants Valley
• Cake Decorating, junior: county winner Kamryn Fullmore, Roving Clovers; and 1st medalist Zoey Glover, Vaca Valley
• Cavies (guinea pigs), junior: county winner Julietta Wynholds, Sherwood Forest
• Ceramics and Clay Arts, intermediate: county winner Matthew Agbayani, Vaca Valley
• Clothing and Textiles, junior: county winner Audrey Boban, Roving Clovers
• Clothing and Textiles, intermediate: county winner Zoey Sloan, Elmira
• Community Service and Community Pride, senior: 1st medalist Cheyenne Miller, Westwind
• Computers and Internet, intermediate, county winner: Jason Williams, Roving Clovers
• Computers and Internet, 3D printing, junior: county winner: Spencer Merodio, Suisun Valley
• Cultural Arts, intermediate: 1st medalist, Maya Miller, Westwind
• Dinner and a Movie, junior: county winner Samantha Sullenger, Suisun Valley
• Dog Care and Training, junior: county winner Irma Brown, Suisun Valley
• Dog Care and Training Intermediate: county winner Maya Prunty, Pleasants Valley
• Dog Care and Training, senior: county winner Ethan Brown, Suisun Valley
• Equine (horse), junior: county winner Selah Deuz, Sherwood Forest
• Equine (horse), intermediate: county winner Makenna Caulfield, Roving Clovers
• Equine (horse), senior: county winner Jessica Burkett, Sherwood Forest
• Fiber Arts, intermediate: county winner Adilene Koelzer, Vaca Valley
• Food Preservation, intermediate: county winner: Christopher Lang, Suisun Valley
• Goats, Meat, intermediate: county winner Madison Farris, Pleasants Valley
• Leadership Development, intermediate: county winner Alexis Taliaferro, Suisun Valley
• Leadership Development, senior: county winner Robert Wright, Suisun Valley
• Outdoor Adventures, camping, junior: county winner Madison Meabon, Suisun Valley
• Outdoor Adventures, camping, intermediate: county winner Alec Merodio, Suisun Valley
• Paper Quilling, intermediate: county winner Jordan Burkett, Sherwood Forest
• Photography, intermediate: county winner Francis Agbayani, Vaca Valley
• Poultry, junior: county winner Jarred Burkett, Sherwood Forest
• Poultry, intermediate: county winner Eric Lull, Elmira; and first medalist, Blake Boban, Roving Clovers
• Poultry, senior: county winner Ryan Anenson, Tremont; and 1st medalist, Halie Pringle, Vaca Valley
• Rabbits, intermediate: county winner Evelyn Young, Rio Vista
• Rabbits, senior: county winner Samantha Forbes, Suisun Valley
• Recordkeeping, intermediate: county winner Natalie Frenkel, Suisun Valley
• Recordkeeping, senior: county winner Josephine Linan, Sherwood Forest
• Recycle and Reuse, junior: county winner Lincoln Caulfield, Roving Clovers
• Recycle and Reuse, intermediate: county winner Braydon Caulfield, Roving Clovers
• Sheep, junior: county winner Trinity Roach, Tremont
• Shooting Sports, junior: county winner Kate Frenkel, Suisun Valley
• Shooting Sports, senior: county winner Olivia Frenkel, Suisun Valley
• Swine, senior: county winner Justin Means, Pleasants Valley, and first medalist, Falyn Voss, Vaca Valley
• Woodworking, junior: county winner, Brody Westad, Suisun Valley
• Woodworking, intermediate: county winner Clairese Wright, Suisun Valley

For information on the Solano County 4-H Program, access http://cesolano.ucanr.edu or contact Valerie Williams at vawilliams@ucanr.edu or (707) 784-1319.