There was quite a hunting party at the Beulah Civic Center Sunday, October 9 as Mercer County 4-H clubs celebrated the end of their year with the annual 4-H Awards Day program. Approximately 130 members, parents, leaders, and award sponsors attended the event dressed in hunting gear to coincide with the theme, “Hunting for Memories”.  Awards Day began with pizza provided by the 4-H Leaders’ Council and pot-luck salads and desserts.

The program began with acknowledgement and thanks to 4-H plaque sponsors and premium sale buyers. 

The new 2011-2012 Mercer County 4-H ambassadors were announced. Newly chosen ambassadors are Kimberly Ellwein of Trailblazers, Kelsey Haugen, of Dakota Shooters; and Jenny Zastawniak of Lucky Valley. Currently serving county/state ambassadors are Anika Jurgens of Sunset Valley and Jodi Boe of Rainbow Kids, and county ambassadors Abby Dschaak, Rachel Funkhouser, Courtney Kemmet, and Mary Silverthorn all of Lucky Valley. The ambassadors led the Pledge of Allegiance and 4-H pledge. Ambassadors assist with the county 4-H program by helping at events such as the county fair, West River Judging Contest, and the awards banquet, etc.

Certificates were given to each 4-H member highlighting his/her accomplishments from the past year with year pins awarded to both members and leaders. 

Jodi Boe, Rainbow Kids and Anika Jurgens, Dakota Shooters, were chosen as the 2011 Key Club Award winners. Key Club Awards are given to the top one percent of North Dakota 4-H members based on 4-H project records and activities as well as community activities and leadership. 

Six 4-H clubs received the Premier Club Award which is determined using a point system based on each club’s membership involvement such as community service, 4-H camp attendance, judging contests, members giving demonstrations at meetings, etc. Clubs receiving the award were: Brush Creek, Busy Bees, Dakota Shooters, Kountry Kids, Lucky Valley, and West River. 

Secretary Awards were presented to Devin Askim, Busy Bees; Emma Klindworth, Dakota Shooters; Mary Silverthorn, Lucky Valley; Brittney Seibel, Sunset Valley; and Dawson Bieber, West River. Each secretary who returned a minimum of four secretary reports to the Extension office received this award.

Members receiving the Reporter Award were: Jenny Zastawniak, Lucky Valley; Torie Horning, Rainbow Kids; and Gered Knoell, Star Equestrian.  To receive the award each reporter had to display a minimum of four newspaper clippings with their club’s news. 

Four 2011 4-H graduates were recognized. Graduating were Alyssa Bauer, Brush Creek; Jodi Boe, Rainbow Kids; Anika Jurgens, Dakota Shooters, and Kimberly Klein, Star Equestrian. 

Laurie Entze was recognized with a past president pin for her service as the President of the Mercer County 4-H Leaders’ Council. Mary Ann Klein was secretary. Deanne Gierke, president-elect was introduced as the new President.

Also announced were winners of the Hoard’s Dairy Judging Contest. Koy Opdahl, Rainbow Kids, was the top individual 4-H club member with a score of 402 out of 500. Rainbow Kids’ team of Koy Opdahl, Torie Horning, and Tia Horning was the top placing team with a score of 1128. Winning in the parent/leader category was Heidi Moore, Kountry Kids, who had a score of 408.

The program concluded with a slide show “2010-2011 4-H Year Highlights” made by Dena Kemmet.