By Ann Reagan The Lamb County Ag Center in Littlefield bore a good resemblance to the Willy Wonka Candy Factory due to the sweet decorations at the 2023-2024 4-H Banquet held on Saturday, August 17, 2024.
Outgoing 4-H President Jeremy “JT” Burt served as the master of ceremonies for the event. He welcomed the guests and called upon Ty Carr to lead the Pledges to the United States and the 4-H Club. Ty Carr then introduced Claire Senter to sing the National Anthem. Blake Moore of Lamb County Electric Coop was then called upon to lead the invocation.
Connie Burt the President of the Adult Leaders Association to present appreciation gifts for those Club Managers. She then presented “sweet bouquets” to the managers stating “they are the sugar that keeps the local clubs operating.” The managers assist with meeting arrangements, communication to and from agents, recruiting new new meetings, and wearing many hats to ensure the club is successful. The managers this year were: Amber DeBerry and April Burns from the Olton Club; Kelsie Albus from the Sudan Club; Alana Carr from the Littlefield Club; and Rosalia Marez from the Springlake-Earth Club. This year the Leadership Managers decided to award a $500 scholarship to an outstanding member of 4-H. This year’s recipient was Brindle Harper.
Jeremy Burt then recognized the volunteer leaders who coached, led projects, drove 4-H’ers to contests, or volunteered in any capacity throughout the last year and he then asked them all to stand to receive their applause.
4-H members were also asked to stand if they participated, placed, or won in local, district and state stock shows or other competitions.
Brandon Albus then presented Year Award T-Shirts to 3 Clover Kids, 10 First-Year members; 4 Second- Year members; 4 Third-Year members; 4 Fourth-Year members; 5 Fifth-Year members; 4 Sixth-Year Members; 3 Seventh-Year Members; 3 Eighth-Year members; and 1 Ninth-Year member.
Connie Burt presented the Adult Leadership Association Scholarship in the amount of $500 to Brindle Harper a 10-year member of Lamb County 4-H.
The Junior Outstanding Record Book award was presented to Callee Albus. The Intermediate Outstanding Record Book Award was presented to Grant Muller. The Senior Outstanding Record Book Award was presented to Claire Lostroh.
The Parade of Champions Awards were presented to Kimber Albus- Junior, Piper Carr-Intermediate, and Kealee Bussey- Senior.
Blake Moore, the CEO of Lamb County Electric Coop, presented the Lighthouse Awards to Jack Reese- Junior Division, Valaree Harper- Intermediate Division, and Garicyn Bigham.
Jack Reese and Paisli Bigham then took to the podium to present the Bronze Star Award to Claire Senter.
Ryan Muller and Claire Lostroh presented the Silver Star Award to Charlotte and Lillian Burt.
The prestigious Gold Star Award is the highest achievement awarded in the 4-H Club. The Gold Star Award was presented to Jeremy Burt and Bonnie Reese.
The “I Dare You” Leadership Award was first offered in 1941 by William H. Danforth who dared young people to achieve their highest potential and to influence others through lives of leadership and service. He was quoted as saying “You have a four-fold life to live: a body, a brain, a heart, and a soul- these are your living tools.” This year’s recipients of the I Dare You Awards were Jaden Burt and Denton Moore presented by Brindle Harper and Kathy Lostroh.
The Friend of 4-H Award was presented to Michael McFadden and 5M Feeds by Kathy Lostroh. Mr. McFadden is a member of the Olton Show Board and has helped with county and area shows over the years. This past year, he donated many items that were carried to help those affected by the Panhandle wildfires.
The Silver Spur Award which is the highest honor given to an adult for their support of the 4-H program was presented to Cary and Carrie Hanlin for their support for the past fifteen years by Kathy Lostroh. They have served as adult leaders as well as on the county and area show board. They have been involved since their oldest began showing about fifteen years ago.
Jaden Burt concluded the program by leading a recitation of the 4-H prayer; “Help me, Oh Lord, to live so that the world may be a little better because Thou Didst Make me.”