Awards presented, volunteers honored at Wayne 4-H banquet
Janelle Firestone was awarded the Meritorious Service Award, the most prestigious honor presented to a 4-H volunteer or supporter, at the recent Wayne 4-H recognition banquet.
Nearly 500 people were on hand when the Wayne County 4-H program presented its top member awards and honored volunteers during its annual recognition banquet on Nov. 14 at the Shisler Center.
Ten-year 4-Her Garrett Troyer was presented the Excellence in 4-H Award, the highest honor a Wayne County 4-Her can receive. The winner, who must be nominated by a 4-H volunteer, demonstrates excellence in leadership, 4-H projects and activities and continued growth and interest in 4-H.
A member of Smithie Whiz Kids 4-H Club, Troyer was the 2023 junior fair king and the 2024 junior fair board president. His projects include rabbits, dogs, poultry, beekeeping, fishing and robotics. He said his market turkey projects were his biggest success in 4-H. He has enjoyed raising them and learning about them.
Troyer has worked hard and been willing to share his expertise with younger members of his club, according to his nomination letter. He plans to attend the University of Akron, where he will pursue an engineering degree.
Janelle Firestone was awarded the Meritorious Service Award, the most prestigious honor presented to a 4-H volunteer or supporter. An 11-year volunteer, Firestone has a heart for the 4-H horse program, which has been noticed throughout the 4-H horse barns. She is known to be a leader who strives to share her knowledge and experiences with the 4-H youth, according to her nomination letter.
County award medal recipients were Kaitlynn Baker, Beef; Natalie Shold, Beginner Clothing and Textiles; Morgan Laibe, Intermediate Clothing and Textiles; Elena Strasbaugh, Creative and Leisure Arts; Sarah Hagan, Companion Animals; Elizabeth Laney, Dairy; Gracie Clark, Food and Nutrition; Ellie Yoh, Healthy Living; Rylee Wirt, Goat; Emmalee Connelly, Leadership/Citizenship; Megan Tenney, Poultry; Molly Watson, Sheep: and Caleb Mairs, Swine.
Volunteers in attendance with 40 or more years of service were Priscilla Sprang, 55 years; David Zech, Miriam Zech and David Stahl, 47 years; Kimberly Mumaw, 44 years; Barbara Guthrie, 42 years; Lisa Gress, 41 years; and Frederick Shiffer, 40 years.
Also present to receive their volunteer service pins were Elizabeth Murphy, 35 years; Marla Hines and Matt Kendle, 25 years; Esther Horst and Barbara Shilling, 20 years; Darral Jackwood, Renee Jackwood, Molly Johnson and Alicia Swires, 15 years; Michelle Kendle, Andrew Moore, Angela Moore, Carolyn Sheron and Julie Tenney, 10 years; Stacie DeArment, Charles Farnsworth, Heather Kinney, Julie Lightfoot and Tiffany Pompey, five years; and Scott Armstrong, Kirsten Caulier, Philip Hagan, Nicole Hoff, Gwen Neal, Amanda Nelson, Amber Opliger, Kevin Shoup, Gavin Snyder, Emily Soyka and Kailyn Wickens, first year.
Outstanding Exhibitor awards are given to youth who go above and beyond with their livestock projects, both in and out of the show ring. Scores are based on an outstanding exhibitor exam, project record book, showmanship placing and breed or market class placings.
Overall winners in each species and age division include the following:
—Market Beef: Kya Csapo, champion; Charles Haley, reserve champion; Jamison Jentes, junior first; Samantha Haley, second; Jud Pitts, third; Kaitlyn Baker, intermediate first; Owen Bailey, second; Mallory Kendle, third; Brianna Jentes, senior first; Elizabeth Laney, second; and Marley Snyder, third.
—Beef Breeding: Noah Stoll, champion; Owen Bailey, reserve champion; Eliza Davis, junior first; Evelyn Johnson, second; Mason Young, third; Kaitlynn Baker, intermediate first; Jaycee Reed, second; Jillian Johnson, third; Madelyn Baney, senior first; Mckenna Baney, second; and Madison Wade, third.
—Dairy: Jud Pitts, champion; Carissa Pittman, reserve champion; Corbin Burchett, first-year champion; Caroline Raber, junior first; Brock Burchett, second; Joseph Sloan, third; Mallory Kendle, intermediate first; Hannah Froelich, second; Matthew Taylor, third; Elizabeth Laney, senior first; Audrey Sidle, second; and Kirsten Boreman, third.
—Dog: Sarah Hagan, champion; Sophie Cosby, reserve champion; Caroline Raber, junior first; Margo Johnson, second; Jillian Carroll, intermediate first; Katherine Scarbrough, second; and Garrett Troyer, senior first.
—Market Goat: Riley Mullet, champion; Brielle Boston, reserve champion; Brynlee Bolinger, junior first; Benaiah Silvestri, second; Margo Johnson, third; Mallory Johnson, intermediate first; Olivia Warren, second; Anna Silvestri, third; Makenna Connelly, senior first; Madicyn Rupp, second; and Emmalee Connelly, third.
—Goat Breeding: Olivia Warren, champion; Lydia Silvestri, reserve champion; Hannah Stoll, junior first; Sarah Hagan, second; Reagan Mullet, third; Mika Jagger, intermediate first; Riley Mullet, second; Noah Stoll, third; Mason Johnson, senior first; Olivia Stoudmire, second; and Maryn Erdman, third.
—Horse: Lauren Lightfoot, champion; Emily Bowling, reserve champion; Elizabeth Lightfoot, junior first; Hannah Lightfoot, intermediate first; Malia Augustine, second; Maisyn Petersheim, third; Jaelynn Warren, senior first; and Sarah Hershberger, second.
—Poultry: McKensie McCoy, champion; Lydia Silvestri, reserve champion; Brielle Boston, junior first; Benaiah Silvestri, second; Jamison Jentes, third; Hannah Boston, intermediate first; Brianna Boston, second; Vincent Thompson, third; Kayleigh Molnar, senior first; Aiden Rusmisel, second; and Julianna Plessinger, third.
—Sheep Breeding: Brynn Shearer, champion; Mason Johnson, reserve champion; Kendra Rehm, junior first; Margo Johnson, second; Paisley Hostettler, third; Elena Plessinger, intermediate first; Mallory Johnson, second; Brock Shearer, third; Kaleb Badger, senior first; and Kate Johnson, second.
—Market Lamb: Austin West, champion; Luke Walenciak, reserve champion; Mason Rupp, junior first; Eliza Davis, second; Caroline Raber, third; Caleb Mairs, intermediate first; Brielle Burchett, second; Caylee Zimmerly, third; Emmalee Connelly, senior first; Emma West, second; and Kaleb Badger, third.
—Swine: Ausin West, champion; Luke Walenciak, reserve champion; Mason Rupp, junior first; Eliza Davis, second; Caroline Raber, third; Cale Mairs, intermediate first; Brielle Burchett, second; Caylee Zimmerly, third; Emmalee Connelly, senior first; Emma West, second; and Kaleb Badger, third.
—Market Rabbit: Jenna Zimmerly, champion; Adrianna Bowling, reserve champion; Clayton Saurer, junior first; Lena Kline, second; Zackary Schrock, third; Nora Shiflett, intermediate first; Jillian Johnson, second; Logan Shold, third; Megan Tenney, senior first; Mckenna Baney, second; and Charlie Tenney, third.
Mia Snyder and Luke Walenciak were named Outstanding Junior Leaders, an award based on their active involvement and leadership potential.
Wayne County Granges sponsored the four-year, eight-year and last-year pins presented to 4-H members.
Star Club Awards went to Canaan Country Cousins, Country Critters, Country Strong, County Line Clovers, Dalton-Big 4, Smithie Whiz Kids, Sugar Creek Gang and Wayne County Trailblazers.