HardisonInk.com Levy County 4-H conducts annual awards ceremony

Levy County 4-H Agent Genevieve Mendoza presents Patrick Whitehead with a plaque for his Outstanding Project Book Award – Individual Category. Haley Springs is the other 4-H member who earned a plaque for Outstanding Project Book Award – Individual Category. These plaques are for work that was excellent. Springs is going to be given a Golden Clover award as well, the only Levy County 4-H Club member to earn that this year. Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © June 12, 2017 at 11:47 p.m. BRONSON -- Thirty members of Levy County 4-H were honored Sunday afternoon at an annual awards ceremony for their success. Levy County 4-H Agent Genevieve Mendoza led the program conducted in an auditorium with a stage in Bronson that was formerly part of the old Bronson High

HardisonInk.com School. This building is located in an area now used by Levy County Public Schools for its Levy Learning Academy and for its Exceptional Student Education Department. Two 4-H members earned plaques for their individual project books. Haley Springs and Patrick Whitehead are those Levy County 4-H members who received that distinction. Springs was the only 4-H member who earned a Gold Clover.

The Levy County 4-H Williston Wranglers Club with their leader Annie Whitehurst are seen here with the County Events Trophy, which they earned on April 7 in the county events competition.

The 4-H Outdoor Adventures Club members, including Club Leader Tom Wolfe are seen on stage with the Project Book Trophy.

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(from left) Misti Brice, Sabrina Brice and Madison Brice are the first three members of the Levy 4-H Outdoor Adventures Club called on stage, because the members were called alphabetically.

The Levy 4-H Outdoor Adventures Club, including Club Leader Tom Wolfe are seen on stage with their project books.

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Levy County 4-H Club Leader Shawn Royce accepts a gift bag, which included a pin for her years of service, from Levy County 4-H Agent Genevieve Mendoza.

Levy County 4-H Club Leader Mary Carr accepts a gift bag, which included a pin for her years of service, from Levy County 4-H Agent Genevieve Mendoza.

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Levy County 4-H Club Leader Tom Wolfe accepts a gift bag, which included a pin for her years of service, from Levy County 4-H Agent Genevieve Mendoza.

Levy County 4-H Leaders (from left) Mary Carr {proudly holding her pin with years of service}, Shawn Royce, Tom Wolfe and Annie Whitehurst are honored for their countless hours and tireless work as adult volunteers who help children learn and experience 4-H.

HardisonInk.com Jim Carr signs a certificate of accomplishment to honor Brooke Batey for her meeting the standard of excellence in Cooking Master, Horse Project, Poultry Project and Rabbit Project.

Levy County 4-H Agent Genevieve Mendoza

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Levy County Extension Director Ed Jennings and UF IFAS Northeast District Extension Director Eric Simonne, Ph.D., stand at the back of the auditorium after the ceremony as people make their way toward the refreshments table.

(from left) Brooke Batey, Aubrey Catlett and Elexis Pinkard hold their member's record books for their work in Bridle Brigade.

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(from left) Brooke Batey, Aubrey Catlett and Elexis Pinkard accept a gift from Levy County 4-H Bridle Brigade Club Leader Mary Carr.

~ Brooke Batey, Aubrey Catlett and Elexis Pinkard open their gift boxes to see the buckles presented to them.

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Brooke Batey, Aubrey Catlett and Elexis Pinkard show their buckles presented to them as they are joined by Haley Springs, another Bridle Brigade member.

Levy County 4-H Bee Club Members Gilbert Gossett, Arthur Gilbert and Matthew Gilbert hold their record books.

HardisonInk.com Haley Springs (left) looks at her plaque and Patrick Whitehead holds his plaque and project booklet. Both of these Levy County 4-H members earned these Standard of Excellence awards -- Outstanding Project Book Award – Individual Category.

Levy County 4-H Agent Genevieve Mendoza gives graduating senior Stephanie Guardiola (leftmost) a gift bag as graduating senior Wyatt Pogue, 4-H Program Assistant Brenda Heberling and graduating senior Sabrina Brice are seen at center stage.

(from left) Levy County 4-H Agent Genevieve Mendoza, graduating senior Wyatt Pogue, graduating senior Stephanie Guardiola, graduating senior

HardisonInk.com Sabrina Brice and 4-H Program Assistant Brenda Heberling pause for a photo opportunity during the time when the graduating seniors were honored.

(from left) Levy County 4-H Agent Genevieve Mendoza, Brooke Batey and Mackenzie Henderson prepare to conduct the part of the program to recognize 4-H Program Assistant Brenda Heberling who is retiring at the end of June. Henderson gave a very warm and endearing speech to help the audience understand the impact that the program assistant had on her life.

Levy County 4-H Program Assistant Brenda Heberling (left) holds a plaque presented to her by Mackenzie Henderson which notes the appreciation for the impact Heberling had on Levy County 4-H for 21 years.

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Levy County 4-H Program Assistant Brenda Heberling accepts a gift bag presented by Levy County 4-H Agent Genevieve Mendoza as a gift from the Levy County Extension Office in honor of Heberling's service as she stands on the brink of retirement. Mary Carr and Brenda Heberling prepare to help

people enjoy the many fresh fruits, vegetables, salsa and other refreshments after the awards program. At the conclusion of the program to honor the children, parents and other volunteers, was recognition by 4-H members for retiring 4-H Program Assistant Brenda Heberling. Mendoza said the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is pleased to recognize the 4-H members and leaders who were honored on Sunday. Graduating seniors Wyatt Pogue and Sabrina Brice, respectively led the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and in the 4-H Pledge respectively. The Annual Levy County 4-H Awards Recognition went smoothly and lasted about an hour, before being adjourned so that everyone could enjoy the many refreshments and participate in several photo opportunities. “On behalf of the Levy County 4-H Council,” Mendoza said as she started the program, “we would like to thank our 4-H families for their continued dedication throughout this past year.”

HardisonInk.com 4-H is the youth development organization of the University of Florida IFAS Extension and Levy County, she said. Before the awards, Mendoza introduced Levy County Extension Director Ed Jennings and UF IFAS Northeast District Extension Director Eric Simonne, Ph.D. Another honored guest who was mentioned was Levy County Commission Chairman John Meeks. The 4-H members who accepted awards on Sunday afternoon utilized the skills and knowledge they gained through 4-H to complete their award-winning activity report forms. The members also received other project pins and ribbons they earned in the 2015-2016 4-H Year. 4-H Club leaders Shawn Royce, Mary Carr and Tom Wolfe announced the project book and pin award winners in their groups. Royce named the award winners in the Levy 4-H Animal Adventures Club. Carr made presentations to the Levy 4-H Bridle Brigade members, and to the Levy 4-H Bee Club. Wolfe presented awards to the Levy 4-H Outdoor Adventures members. The next awards presented were for the individuals who “went the extra mile and have shown excellence in the work they completed this year.” That is when Mendoza called Haley Springs and Patrick Whitehead to the stage. They received award for Outstanding Project Book Award – Individual Category. Along with a plaque, the young Ms. Springs will also receive a Gold Clover. In regard to the Club Scrapbook Award, Bridle Brigade and Outdoor Adventures turned in a club scrapbook. Outdoor Adventures received the scrapbook award. The Project Book Trophy went to the 4-H club that earned the most points for project book completions. The winner of the Project Book Trophy was the Outdoor Adventures 4-H Club. The County Events Trophy went to the 4-H club that earned the most participation points for the County Events competition held on April 7. And the winner of the County Events Trophy is the Williston Wranglers 4-H Club. The Levy County 4-H club leaders are the best, Mendoza said. “Their hard work is the reason for our success,” Mendoza said. The following leaders have given of themselves over the past year to serve as our 4-H club leaders: Shawn Royce, Animal Adventures 4-H Club; Jim and Mary Carr, Bridle Brigade and Levy Bee Club; Steve and Jo Sample, Creekside Afterschool and Shooting Stars 4-H Club; Kelly Varnes, Kountry Bumpkins 4-H Club; Paula Kennedy, Kountry Kids 4-H Club; Tom Wolfe, Outdoor Adventures; and Annie Whitehurst, Williston Wranglers 4-H Club. Program Assistant Heberling recognized the graduating seniors – Sabrina Brice, Stephanie Guardiola and Wyatt Pogue. Mackenzie Henderson and Brooke Batey then took the stage to speak about Heberling retiring. Batey represented the 4-H Bridle Brigade and Bee Club. Henderson represented the 4-H Outdoor Adventure Club. They presented a gift to Heberling for her many years of dedication and service to the 4-H program.

HardisonInk.com Following are the clubs and the members who earned pins, ribbons and other recognition: SHAWN ROYCE – ANIMAL ADVENTURES Gracie Brannin – Entomology – Mealworm Project Mattie Brannin – Entomology – Mealworm Project Graceanna Engstrom – Entomology – Mealworm Project Derek Hudor – Entomology – Mealworm Project Lucas Royce – Outdoor Education and Recreation TOM WOLFE – OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Misti Brice – Marine Science and Shooting Sports Madison Brice – Marine Science and Shooting Sports Sabrina Brice – Marine Science Cade Cline - Outdoor Education and Recreation Cameron Cuomo – Outdoor Education and Recreation Luke Henderson – Outdoor Education and Recreation Mackenzie Henderson – Outdoor Education and Recreation and Leadership – Club President Casey Owens – Outdoor Education and Recreation Michael Owens – Outdoor Education and Recreation Lucas Parise-Sage – Outdoor Education and Recreation Cade Pogue – Outdoor Education and Recreation and Leadership – Club Secretary Wyatt Pogue – Outdoor Education and Recreation Kelly Runnels – Outdoor Education and Recreation Lila Runnels – Outdoor Education and Recreation Emily Tomczak – Outdoor Education and Recreation and Horse Project MARY CARR – BRIDLE BRIGADE Brooke Batey – Horse, Poultry, Rabbit, and Cooking Master Projects Aubrey Catlett – Horse, Poultry, Rabbit, and Cooking Master Projects McKenzie Mencer – Horse, Poultry, Rabbit, and Cooking Master Projects Monika Mencer – Horse, Poultry, Rabbit, and Cooking Master Projects Elexis Pinkard – Horse, Poultry, Rabbit, and Cooking Master Projects Haley Springs – Horse, Poultry, Rabbit, and Cooking Master, Gardening, Scrapbooking, Outdoor Education and Recreation, Leadership- Club Secretary and Historian Projects; Gold Clover BEE CLUB Gilbert Gossett – Cooking Master Arthur and Matthew Gilbert – Cloverbuds (no pins awarded)