Cherokee County 4-Hers receive recognition at awards banquet

The annual Cherokee County awards banquet was held earlier this month at the Cherokee Community Center. Many 4-Hers, volunteers, and leaders were recognized for all of their time, work, and dedication to Cherokee County 4-H over the past year. 

At the awards ceremony, the new County Council is installed. The County Council plans, promotes, and performs many activities throughout the county leading up to and at the Cherokee County fair. I am excited to work with this group as we learn together this year. The County Council youth are: 

Kara Bryant, Tori Treinen, Ashley Wetter, Kaleb Nelson, Danika Ducommun, Leah Kannegieter, Kenna Van Oort, Kouper Schulenberg, Adrie Ducommun, Allie Kruse, Levi Klingborg, Maddy Buenger, Ella Badtram, Lily Schulenberg, Aubrey Kannegieter, Chloe Ebert, Ally Timmerman, Emerson Deeds, Jeralyne Ebert, Jacob Erpelding.

Next we presented youth project awards which are given to 4-Hers who have shown growth, leadership, and citizenship in their respective project area. These award recipients were: 

Brody Badtram for Junior Food & Nutrition and Junior Dairy goats, Elis Rupp for Junior Swine, Jake Steward for Junior Food and Nutrition, Kaden Fuhrman for Junior Swine, Evelyn Iwen for Junior Rabbit, Kara Bryant for Intermediate Clothing, Ashley Wetter for Intermediate Beef, Kaitlyn Buenger for Intermediate Poultry & Intermediate Rabbit, Wyatt Sargent for Intermediate Goat, Lilly Ohlson for Intermediate Pet, Ayla Ohlson for Intermediate Pet, Mesa Patterson for Intermediate Horse, Ava Agnew for Intermediate Citizenship, Danika Ducommun for Senior Horse & Pony and Senior Horticulture, Caitlin Wetter for Senior Clothing and Senior Rabbit, Levi Klingborg for Senior Swine, Allie Kruse for Senior Swine, Ella Badtram for Senior Food & Nutrition and Senior Visual Arts, Madelyn Buenger for Senior Poultry and Senior Rabbit, and Colton Happe for Senior Beef. 

Some of the most prestigious awards given at the ceremony were the “Special Awards”. In order for a 4-Her to qualify for these awards they must have applied, be at least a sophomore in high school, had 3 or more years of 4-H club work, demonstrated leadership beyond the local club level, and met the specific award guidelines. The special awards and their winners are as follows: 

Family Living – Ella Badtram, Danika Ducommun

Agriculture – Sam Schmillen, Carter Kruse

Mary Dunn – Emma Frahm, Carly Fuhrman, Jacob Ebert

I Dare You – Lily Schulenberg, Aubrey Kannegieter 

Leadership – Allie Kruse, Madelyn Buenger

Citizenship – Caitlin Wetter, Leah Kannegieter 

Achievement – McKenna Benson, Adrie Ducommun

We appreciate the important contributions that 4-H leaders make to the lives of the youth in our county through their leadership, activities, and guidance. We honored the following leaders and volunteers for their dedication over many years of service: 

Tasha Timmerman - 5 years, Val Bryant - 5 years, Justin Ebert - 10 years, Tiffany Ebert - 10 years, Val Cedar - 25 years, Jerry Ebert - 30 years, Sally Wilkie - 35 years

Each year we are honored to present adult volunteers with special awards as well. Without these people invested in our programs, we would not be able to do what we do. In honor of their services to 4-H, community leadership, and public service in Cherokee County, we awarded the following: 

4-H Leader of the Year - Ginell Wetter

4-H Alumni - Amy Stief

Honorary 4-Her - Valeria Bryant

2025 Hall of Fame Inductee - Dr. Bob Bryant

Partner in 4-H - State Savings Bank

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H programs could not survive without the dedication, expertise, and leadership provided by adult volunteers and amazing 4-H families. These awards are only able to cover a few of the many people that we are so grateful for! The youth, volunteers, and leaders listed above are very well-deserving and should be proud of their accomplishments. Each year, Cherokee County Awards Day rounds out the 4-H year and kicks off a new one. For more information on awards, the recognition program, or 4-H in Cherokee County, contact the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office at 712-225-6196.