(Red Oak, Iowa) – Officials with ISU Extension and Outreach in Montgomery County say 4-H members, their families, and community members gathered November 17, 2024, for the annual Montgomery County 4-H Awards Night. The program was hosted by the 4-H County Youth Council, a group of 4-H members from across the county ranging in age from high school freshmen to seniors.

This year’s county council has nine members: Pace Chaillie (Grant Spitfires), Kennedy DeVries (Stennett Panthers), Oliver Dykes (Stanton Strivers), Landon Gigstad (Stennett Panthers), Kyla Hart (Stanton Strivers), Victoria McFarland (Stanton Strivers), Grace Nippert (East Sunrisers), Will Pollock (Stennett Panthers), and Delaney True (East Sunrisers). The council honored 4-H members and clubs from the past year for their hard work as well as outstanding program sponsors and extraordinary volunteers. 2024 Awards Night PR

2024-25 Youth County Council: Pace Chaillie (Grant Spitfires), Kennedy DeVries (Stennett Panthers), Oliver Dykes (Stanton Strivers), Landon Gigstad (Stennett Panthers), Kyla Hart (Stanton Strivers), Victoria McFarland – not pictured (Stanton Strivers), Grace Nippert (East Sunrisers), Will Pollock (Stennett Panthers), and Delaney True (East Sunrisers).

Four awards are given to adult volunteers, community members, or businesses who support and make positive impacts on the Montgomery County 4-H program. The Friend of 4-H award was given to Farm Credit Services of America. The Montgomery County Ag Society received the Honorary Award. The 2024 Outstanding 4-H Alumni was given to Jenny Ellis and Stephanie Vinton-Pollock of the Stennett Panthers and Red Oak Clover Kids was presented the 2024 Outstanding Leader award.

Volunteers are presented with tenure awards for every five years of service. Those honored on Nov. 17th were:

• Silver Clover Pin for 5 years of service: Ann Gigstad and Naomi McCunn
• 5-Point Diamond Clover Pin for 40 years of service: Jane Waltz

In addition to adult and community awards, youth members received awards for submitting their yearly record books and submitting their officer books. Members receiving an award for their record books were:

Junior Record Books: The Outstanding Junior Record Book was awarded to Reese Herzberg. Loryn Anderson, Lyssa Anderson, Anna Chaillie, Payton Doyle, Carter Taylor, Zane Johnson, and Lauren Ferree received certificates of completion.
Intermediate Record Books: The Outstanding Intermediate Record Book was awarded to Dalton Ferree.
Senior Record Books: The Outstanding Senior Record Book was awarded to Joshua LeRette. Receiving certificates of completion and senior project area awards: Lilly Anderson (Rabbit), Pace Chaillie (Sheep), Landon Gigstad (Dog), Joshua LeRette (Woodworking), Grace Nippert (Poultry), Alyssa Strebe (Photography).

Two clubs received awards for turning in their officer books. Grant Spitfires received a certificate of completion for their Secretary’s book, and Outstanding Historian Book and Treasurer’s book. Stanton Strivers received Outstanding Secretary’s Book.

Six senior 4-H members received additional awards based upon their 4-H participation and project involvement. To be eligible for a senior award, members must turn in a record book as well as meet other award specific criteria.

Service: Pace Chaillie & Grace Nippert
Livestock Achievement: Lilly Anderson
Achievement: Landon Gigstad
Danforth Award: Alyssa Strebe
Hall of Fame: Joshua LeRette

Congratulations to all the 4-H members and community partners who received an award! (See more pictures on the Montgomery County-IA Extension Facebook page)

(Article submitted by Katie Hart, Montgomery County ISU Extension/Outreach)