4-Hers receive Holmes Co. Commissioner’s Awards
No strangers to the spotlight, the 2022-23 Holmes County Fair king and queen, Garrett Houin and Sarah Irwin, were honored to receive the annual Holmes County Commissioner’s Senior Leadership and Senior Citizenship awards, respectively, at this year’s fair.
Each year at the Holmes County Fair, the Holmes County commissioners dole out $75 gift certificate awards to the recipients of the Holmes County Commissioner’s Awards, which go to 4-H youth who have shown themselves capable of excelling in both leadership and citizenship.
On Monday, Aug. 7 in the expo center at Harvest Ridge, Holmes County commissioner Dave Hall awarded this year’s recipients of the Commissioner’s Awards.
Each year applicants must fill out documentation and apply for the award by highlighting the areas where they have achieved success in each category.
While the senior leadership and citizenship honors went to a pair of veteran 4-Hers who are familiar to those in the 4-H world and the fair, there was a rare occurrence in the junior class, where both awards went to the same individual.
Garrett Houin received the Senior Leadership Award while Sarah Irwin received the Senior Citizenship Award.
Neither one had to walk far to receive their award because they were right at the front of the presentation area, performing their duties as the 2022-23 Holmes County Fair king and queen.
“Watching these young people grow and develop their leadership and citizenship skills is exciting,” Hall said. “These young people are going to be our leaders someday, and many of them are already leading in many ways.”
The Junior Citizenship and the Junior Leadership awards went to Tristan Houin.
“It speaks well for the next generation of leaders in Holmes County,” Hall said. “This county is a special place, and 4-H is a big part of that process of developing our leaders and the many people who dedicate themselves to serving others in the community.”
None of the recipients were aware of if they had won or not, so it was especially surprised and satisfying for Tristan Houin to receive both honors in the junior field.
“I was initially very shocked because I didn’t know I’d be receiving anything at all,” Tristan Houin said. “I was really pleased to receive them.”
Tristan Houin said he simply took on the task of helping out wherever there was a need. He said he volunteered for roles within his 4-H group with the Nashville Jolly Ranchers and enjoyed the challenges of stepping into a variety of roles where he could be a part of his 4-H group, the 4-H program in general or the community.
“I just tried to be there wherever there was someone who needed help,” he said. “I think I just stepped in and did the best I could no matter what I was doing.”
He said he had plenty of inspiration and teaching when it comes to volunteering and being part of the community.
“The people of Holmes County are known for its giving and its hard work,” Tristan Houin said. “There’s an emphasis on hard work and also on rewarding hard work. We take care of each other, and that’s a valuable lesson I’ve learned from a lot of people.”
He also said his advisors and the older members of 4-H taught him many things as he grew up in the 4-H program, and he hopes he can pass those values and that willingness to help others to the younger 4-Hers coming up through the program.