Warren Local Named 2021 Somerset County Outstanding 4-H'er

WARREN, NJ — Ben Strasser of Warren was among six 4-H members to be chosen as the 2021 Outstanding 4-H'ers of Somerset County.

Strasser spent the last 12 years as a Somerset County 4-H member where he started in PREP / Cloverbud as a Kindergartner. He is active in the On Target Archery Club, as well as Senior Council. He also was a integral member of the Clover Ensemble having participated in a variety of plays with the club.

Strasser is also a member of the teen planning committee for the North Jersey Teen Conference and he has been a TOPS camp counselor as well.

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Having helped with every 4-H Association event and 4-H event, Strasser has been a delegate to National Trips, including Leadership Washington Focus, Citizenship Washington Focus, and National Congress.

Looking back, Strasser's most rewarding achievement so far was winning the Foods Judging Senior Competition which led him to a job with a caterer.

The Somerset County 4-H program awarded the Outstanding 4-H'ers, alumni, and volunteers for 2021 based on those who go above and beyond to represent resiliency, determinism, and leadership within their communities.

"We are extremely grateful to be able to get together and celebrate those who have consistently given their time and energy to Somerset County 4-H while creating a communal space for the next generation of 4-H'ers," said Calvin Embleton, Marketing and Communications for Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County.

Outstanding 4-H'ers include: Ben Strasser (Warren), Dale Brochinsky (Bridgewater), Grace O'Sullivan (Hillsborough), Madeline Dietrich (Green Brook), Owen Garigan (Hillsborough), and Tessa McDonald (Bridgewater).

Outstanding Volunteers include: Patti Verbanas (Somerville) and Susan McDonalds (Bridgewater).

Outstanding Alumni include: Joann Gavigan (Hillsborough) and Ed Staats (Bridgewater).

The annual ceremony was held on July 21 and was attended by Somerset County Commissioner Melonie Marano who gave both her own speech as well as read from a speech prepared by Governor Phil Murphy.

For more information about Somerset County 4-H visit 4histops.org.

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