Volunteers for 4-H and their family members were recognized recently for their service and contribution to the Clark County 4-H program at the Clark County 4-H awards and volunteer recognition luncheon.

More than 70 volunteers served the Clark County 4-H program throughout the 2017-2018 program year.

“This program is richly blessed,” Clark County 4-H Council Vice-President Leanna Comer said, adding that the 73 individuals recognized during the event did not count the many parents and community members and partners who pitch-in to help the program succeed in other capacities.

The Clark County 4-H Council Planning Committee, led by Clark County 4-H Council President Julie Ullery, organized the awards luncheon.

“This is our way of saying thank you to you for all that you do for 4-H,” Ullery said as she opened the program and welcomed Madison Williams and Charlie Castle to lead the group in pledges.

In addition to the recognition of volunteers, 24 youth were recognized for earning 4-H Achievement Awards.

The purpose of the 4-H Achievement Awards program is to recognize 4-H members for their years of work in Kentucky 4-H. The program rewards points based on involvement in citizenship, leadership, community service, communications and overall 4-H participation.

“We had 24 applications turned in for our Achievement Program this year, which is phenomenal,” UK Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development Shannon Farrell explained. “We are always really competitive at the state-level in this and other aspects of our program, which speaks highly of the support that this program has. We could not achieve all that we do without the tremendous support of our many volunteers. I want to thank you all for everything that you do to make Clark County 4-H great. It is really humbling to be an agent here and to work with you all.”

Clark County 4-H had two Gold Achievement Award winners: Clay Comer and Sydney Miller.

Clark County 4-H had two Silver Achievement Award winners: Emily Comer and Jacob Fraley.

Bronze Achievement Award winners include Winter Brinegar, Emma Burns, Courtney Francis, Carlee Franklin, Taylor Maggard and Megan Stults.

Clover Level 5 Achievement Award winners include: Autumn Brinegar, Hallie Perry, Breauna Simpson and Hayden Turley.

Clover Level 4 Achievement Award winners are Allie Eury and Amanda Perry.

Clover Level 3 Achievement Award winners are Katelyn Francis, Lainie Mitchell, Skylar Carmichael and JT Settles.

Clover Level 2 Achievement Award winners are Lillian Perry and Andrew Carmichael.

Clover Level 1 Achievement Award winners are Scott Eury and Alec Skinner.

4-H seniors from the 2019 graduating class were also recognized and were given their green and white 4-H cords to wear on graduation day.

UK Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development Brandy Calvert gave the closing remarks.

“Although I transferred to Clark County two short months ago, I have already observed the following about Clark County Cooperative Extension Service Volunteers and 4-H Volunteers particularly: You are committed to the growth of people, you are good stewards of the resources and partnerships that we have in the 4-H program, you have foresight for the direction of the program, you are aware of the needs of the community, you actively listen, and you are building this community,” Calvert said. “These are all key characteristics of servant leadership, which Clark County 4-H Volunteers embody on a daily basis.”

For more information on volunteering with the Clark County 4-H program, contact 4-H Agents Shannon Farrell or Brandy Calvert in the Clark County Cooperative Extension Service office at 744-4682.

Brandy Calvert is a Clark County Extension Service agent for 4-H and youth development. She can be reached at 744-4682.