The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Phillips County 4-H members, families and special guests celebrated the year's success at the 2023 Achievement Program on Sunday, Oct. 1 at the Bank of Colorado Pavilion in Holyoke. The afternoon opened with a welcome from Phillips County Council President Lucinda Mares before guests were treated to a buffet of snacks and desserts.

Each year the annual achievement banquet celebrates the past year's success of each 4-H member and all clubs in Phillips County. The event also honors several award recipients. Each year, one or more individuals are recognized with the Friend of 4-H Award; a prestigious honor given to those to give to the 4-H youth of their county.

The 2023 Friend of 4-H Award went to Dave and ChristiAnne Gibson.

"This year's nominees have given countless years and hours to Phillips County 4-H," Council member Braden Plumb said.

Dave Gibson has served on the Livestock Committee as a superintendent for many years while also lending a hand to many other fair and 4-H activities.

"ChristiAnne has not served in an official capacity, but has given an impressive amount of time to lending a hand wherever needed," Braden said. "Together this couple has guided, mentored and supported a great number of 4-H youth as they show pigs and have sponsored many catch-it animals to ensure that all youth have an opportunity to show livestock.

Each year the Phillips County 4-H Council also honors one member with the I Dare You Award. The first I Dare You Award was offered in 1941 by William H. Danforth, a successful businessman who dared young people to achieve their highest potential and to influence others through lives of leadership and service. Each I Dare You Award winner receives Danforth's book titled I Dare You, sponsored by Rick and Kathy Haynes.

This year's I Dare You Award winner is Haylie Carpenter.

"This year's winner is a kind-hearted, hard worker who is constantly looking for ways to help others. Even when situations are hard and things are not going in her favor, she is still able to look far beyond her own circumstances to help and guide others. Her character makes her an excellent role model to the younger kids and she is able to light up a room (for barn) with her contagious smile," said Gina Wear, Phillips County Council Leader. "This young lady has all the qualities of being a great leader. By learning to trust herself and believe in her ability to lead, we believe she will blossom as leader."

The 2002 Rookie of the Year Award went to first year member, Wes Kramer. According to his nomination, Kramer showed amazing progress in a short time through dedication to club meetings, attending workshops and club events, showing leadership throughout many activities and succeeding in his project.

"Wes not only showed great determination in his first year but made great first-impressions with his kindness and willingness to learn and grow. Wes showed great enthusiasm with his dairy goat project and learned everything he could," said Phillips County 4-H Extension Agent Jessie Salyards. "What makes this more impressive is that there are so few people in the Dairy goat project that Wes and his family had to pioneer the project. Wes was also eager to teach anyone that was interested about Dairy Goats. Outside of this, he also had great attendance at club meetings and community service activities, attended leadership conferences, and gave a great demonstration for his club."

Throughout the 4-H Achievement Program, many youth are honored for their dedication and activities through the previous year and beyond. The following were recognized for years of membership to 4-H:

First year members: Angel Grilli, Wynter Goodman, Jaslene Dominguez, Pete Salyards, Wes Kramer, Jack Hill, Stellan Seger, Treyton Biesemeier, Rebekah Myers, Brianna Ortner, Marlen Korf, Emerson Frank and Leonidas Goodman.

Fifth year members: Branton McCabe, Farrah Koberstein, Tenley Becker, Baron Starkebaum, Jaelynn Miner, Kylee Garrett, Haeden Daniel, Ryan Schlachter, Rhettly Schlachter, Reece Horton, Avery Horton, Addison Mason, Wyatt Mason and Sawyer Phipps.

Tenth year members: Brock Miller, Leah Struckmeyer, Cash Weber and Isaiah Rueter.

Twelfth year member: Braden Plumb.

Thirteenth year member: Brooklyn Plumb.

4-H members between the ages of five and seven are not allowed to participate in any of the traditional competitive 4-H projects. However, they are considered 4-H members and receive membership certificates. The following is a list of Cloverbud memberships:

First year: Tayla McConnell, Oakley McConnell, Sarah Rueter, Tyndle McConnell, Bolton Price, Leyton Sparks, Kenny Grilli, Bryce Kramer, Reese Kramer, Aubrey Newman, Canaan McCabe , Presley Bornhoft, Tiegen Kafka, Carsyn Schlachter and Andrew Kleve.

Second year: Kenna Kramer, Ayden Romero, Maesa Becker and Amber Edwards.

Third year: Kelbin Boerner, Kort Daniel, Selia Wear, Dawsyn Daniel, Brayger Bieber, Austynn Schlachter, Cash Garrett and Tyson Bazan.

At the conclusion of the current 4-H year, members are recognized for their efforts in compiling and completing livestock record books. Those individuals are announced and recognized at the annual achievement program. That list includes: Junior Record Book Grand Champion, Rhettly Schlachter; Junior Record Book Reserve Champion, Mason Boerner; Intermediate Record Book Grand Champion, Jayce Boerner; Intermediate Record Book Reserve Champion, Jaelynn Miner; Senior Record Book Grand Champion, Isaiah Rueter; Senior Record Book Reserve Champion, Brooklyn Plumb.

Phillips County was once again well represented at the 2023 Colorado State Fair, both for general 4-H projects and livestock projects. Colorado State Fair hosted a master showmanship contest where the top showman from each county went and competed. Phillips County sent Lucinda Mares to represent for a third year in a row where she was the Grand Champion in the contest!. Other results from the shows at the State Fair are:

Lucinda Mares: Reserve Champion Light Weight Doe; third Senior Breeding Sheep Showman; fourth Place Breeding Ewe; fifth and six market lambs; fourth and seventh place Market Goats.

Cash Weber: Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef; second place in Class three of Market Beef.

Colby Weber: second place in Class six of the Market Beef show.

Tenley Becker: Reserve Champion Junior Showman in Beef; class one winner in Market Beef Show.

Wryder Phipps: Champion Wether Dam Doe; Champion Junior Breeding Doe Showman; Champion Junior Breeding Ewe Showman; class one winner in market lamb show.

Sawyer Phipps: Champion Intermediate Breeding Doe Showman; Supreme Junior Breeding Ewe; Reserve Champion Intermediate Showman; third overall Wether Dam Doe.

Brooklyn Plumb: Eighth place in her class of Medium Weights for market hogs.

Allison Plumb: seventh place with her Spot market hog.

HAYLIE CARPENTER, recipient of the 2023 Phillips County I Dare You award.

Phillips County 4-H was well represented with General Projects as well. Thirty six projects were sent down by exhibitors. Some highlights from State Fair General Projects are: Lucinda Mares was Reserve Champion in Senior Unit One, Rebekah Myers was Reserve Champion in Unit One Cats Juniors, Juan Albino Nunez III was Reserve Champion in Unit 3 Electricity Intermediates. Brock Miller was Reserve Champion in Leadership Unit Four Senior. In metalworking, Wryder Phipps was reserve champion in Unit Two Junior and Brendan Nelson was Champion of Unit Four and Grand Champion of the welding project. Sawyer Phipps was Reserve Champion in Photography Unit Four Intermediate.

At the end of the annual program, Jessie Salyards installed incoming Phillips County 4-H Council Officers and Leaders. This year's officer slate includes: President, Lucinda Mares; Vice President, Kylee Garrett; Layna Wear, Secretary; Braden Plumb, Treasurer; Mason Boerner, Parliamentarian; Historian, Haylie Carpenter; Reporter, Jayce Boerner; Senators, Lucinda Mares and Kylee Garrett; Alternate Senators, Braden Plumb and Layna Wear. Gina Wear and Joan Owens serve as Leaders.