Waukesha 4-H Announces Award Winners

WAUKESHA, WI - From Waukesha County 4-H Organization: The Waukesha County 4-H Organization and UW-Extension honored their youth recipients at the 2017 Youth Awards banquet on November 5th. The Banquet was held in New Berlin and featured a “tailgating” sports theme.

Waukesha County 4-H has over 600 members in grades Kindergarten through High School. The awards presented are based on youth leadership, community service, volunteer hours, project achievement, county fair and state fair participation.

The 4-H Achievement Medal (photo 1) is awarded to successful 4-H youth who have shown overall excellence in 4-H and personal work to become skilled, productive and self-directed individuals. This year the Waukesha County 4-H Achievement (photo 2)award went to Rebecca Knuth of Waukesha, Brianna & Brody Jones, of Big Bend, and Emily Czaplewski of West Allis.

The county 4-H Citizenship Medal (no photo) is awarded to youth who demonstrate community service and social responsibility acquiring skills that are essential to become an active, responsible citizen. This year’s 4-H Citizenship medal was awarded to Moira Arcuri of New Berlin. The 4-H Leadership Medal went to Charlie DeCloux of Menomonee Falls for her skills to perform the roles, attitudes, tasks and functions necessary for effective leadership.

The Wisconsin 4-H State Youth Conference (photo 3) is held in June each year at UW Madison. This excellent opportunity is attended by over 800 youth each year for life skills development and personal growth.

Waukesha County members selected to attend the State 4-H Conference this year in Madison include: (L-R) Lily Jones of New Berlin, Jess Hughes of Oconomowoc, Carly Steckling of Oconomowoc, Isabelle Eide of Ottowa, Jody Mertens of Nashotah and not pictured Cameron Bandomir, and Ellie Szczech.

Three youth were honored with the American Spirit Trip (photo 4) which will tour New York, Niagara Falls, Philadelphia and other early American History sites: Anna Pappenfuss of Elm Grove, Josh Peterson of Brookfield and Amara Bugenhagen of Mukwonago.

The youth selected to attend the National 4-H Leadership camp (photo 6) in Michigan in 2018 was Sean McGrath of Mukwonago.

Maiya Brandt of Sussex and Brody Jones of Big Bend will be attending the National 4-H Congress (photo 7) in Atlanta in 2018. The is an educational, social , cultural and recognition experience which is attended by 4-H members from around the United States.

The highest 4-H award in the State is the 4-H Key Award (photo 8) was presented to Emily Udulutch of Pewaukee, Maiya Brandt of Sussex, Brody and Brianna Jones of Big Bend. These high school seniors received green honor cords for their graduation as recognition for being 4-H Key award recipients. Maiya and Brianna also received the Danforth Award (photo 9), which is the top honor in Waukesha county 4-H. The Danforth National Youth Leadership Award was established in 1941 to recognize extraordinary young people for their character and leadership potential by William Danforth, founder of the Ralston Purina Company.

College Scholarships were presented to 4-H Members Breck Heller of Waukesha, Michael Plautz of Muskego and Katie Bugenhagen, Jenna Condon, Ruth Farrell, Kelly Krause, Mason Rosciezewski and Kaitlyn Schultz.

Congratulations to all these amazing youth in Waukesha County. If you would like more information on the 4-H program you can contact the Waukesha County UW Extension office at 515 W Moreland Boulevard, Administration Center Room G22 , Waukesha. (262) 548-7770

Photo courtesy of Waukesha County 4-H Organization