Sunday, November 24 called for 4-H families and supporters to come together to celebrate at our annual 4-H Awards night. Emcees for the evening were Rylee Folkerts, Mason Fruechte, Matt DeBates, and Braedon Kor. It was an evening to celebrate 4-H members, families, volunteers, and supporters for a great past year, as well as a time to reflect on the past year’s happenings.
Recognition was given to Extension Committee members, Cloverbuds, first year members and Ambassadors. Leader’s Council officers were installed. Club leaders were honored for their year of service including Crissa Fruechte and Amy Folkerts – Jasper Jolly Juniors; Kyle Caskey and Amy Steuck – Prairie Grangers; Rhonda Kor, Jason & Nicole Weber – Sweet Strivers; Lucas Kracht and Stephen VanDyke - Trosky Peppy Pebbles; Dawn Sutherland and Julie Manzey – Troy Toilers; and Dean Schulze, Rob Faber, and Scott Kor – Shooting Sports Club.
Records are a large part of 4-H projects and every year Pipestone County 4-H recognizes youth who complete records for the first time. This year’s first year record completion award went to Hailey Steuck. Receiving discs for record completion for two year or more were Summer LaBrune, Autumn LaBrune, Lauren Steuck, Alyssa Steuck, Alyvia Caskey, Benjamin LaBrune, Tenley Caskey, Adrian Caskey, Emma Odland, Lacy Odland, Eleanor Stangle, Ethan Faber, and Lucas Faber. Two Cloverbuds were also recognized for completing their 4-H Cloverbud records: Tyson Faber, and Edison Odland.
Three sets of awards are given out to outstanding youth who have worked extremely hard to be a visible, positive 4-H role model in their club and community. Points are given for club activities, project areas, activity areas, leadership, out of county events and achievements such as champions, state and national trips. Terrific Young Achievers (grades 3-5) were: Charlie Folkerts, Faith Fruechte, Lily Fruechte, Otto Johnson, Hailey Kruisselbrink, Benjamin LaBrune, Coyer McCorquodale, Hayden Russell, Jase Schaap, Eleanor Stangle, Keagan Steck, and Hailey Steuck. Excellent Intermediates (grades 6-8): Adrian Caskey, Tenley Caskey, Maesa Folkerts, Brody Hiniker, Tenli McCorquodale, Keegan Otter, and Lauren Steuck. Outstanding Youth Leaders (grades 9+): Alyvia Caskey, Matt DeBates, Rylee Folkerts, Mason Fruechte, Braedon Kor, Joseph Kor, Autumn LaBrune, Summer LaBrune, Dane McCorquodale, Olyvia Weber, and Alyssa Steuck. Shooting sports were also awarded from the state competition as well as two overall awards including the Dave Homann Memorial Top Shot going to Braedon Kor and the Shooting Sports Young Achiever award to Cora Loll.
Pipestone County 4-H also recognizes a family each year who has been an active part of 4-H for some years. They are involved, volunteer, participate in many areas and demonstrate skills and leadership. The 2024 4-H Family of the Year was awarded to the Jeff and Chriss DeBates family.
It has been another great year for Pipestone County 4-H and we want to thank everyone who makes 4-H possible in Pipestone County.