Fayette County 4-H Annual Awards Banquet Held Aug. 6

The annual Fayette County 4-H Banquet was held on Sunday, Aug. 6, at the Historic Casino Hall. The 4-H Banquet is the ultimate highlight and culmination of the year’s activities for each member, as we see one year close and a new year beginning.

4-H awards were awarded to the following: Fayette County 4-H Scholarship: Aidan Miksch, Austin Nedbalek, Mackenzie Poncik, Rachel Matocha, and Tamara Otto.

4-H Opportunity Scholarships: $20,000-Tamara Otto; $20,000-Mackenzie Poncik; $5,000-Aidan Miksch; $3,000-Austin Nedbalek .

Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association Scholarship: Tamara Otto.

Gideon Lincecum Master Naturalist: Tamara Otto .

Emily Fritsch 4-H Scholarships: Raygen Pyle, Austin Nedbalek, Rachel Matocha, Mackenize Poncik, and Tamara Otto.

Friend of 4-H: Melvin Schulze.

4-H Club Display Booth: Fayetteville 4-H Club.

The Fayette County 4-H Livestock Judging Team was presented with awards as they wrapped up a historical year, winning the District 11 4-H Sweepstakes Award.

The outstanding member awards are selected on the basis of excellence in club, county, and district 4-H activities and growth and excellence within individual projects.

The Outstanding Juniors are members in the 3rd-5th grade. The Outstanding Intermediates are members in the 6th-8th grade. Both Intermediates and Juniors, complete an application and go through an interview process.

This year’s Outstanding Juniors are Kaylyn Beseda of the Fayetteville 4-H Club, Tate Fritsch of the Fayetteville 4-H Club, Taylyn Newton of the La Grange 4-H Club, and Abraham McBride of the Schulenburg 4-H Club.

This year’s Outstanding Intermediates are Tatum Fritsch of the Fayetteville 4-H Club, Brealey Nieto of the Flatonia 4-H Club, Julia Melton of the La Grange 4-H Club, and Addison Fryer of the Winchester 4-H Club.

The “I Dare You” Award is presented to youth who excel in character, well balanced personal development and leadership. This year’s I Dare You Award winners are Railey Nieto of the Flatonia 4-H Club and Elena Supak of the La Grange 4-H Club.

The Silver Star Award is an award that is a steppingstone up to the Gold Star Award. This award signifies excellence, hard work, and good communication skills. Silver Star winners are Tori Newton of the La Grange 4-H Club and Madeline Willrich of the La Grange 4-H Club.

The Gold Star is the highest award that can be presented at the county level. This year’s Gold Star Winners are Cooper Mau of the Fayetteville 4-H Club and Kaylee Hensley of the Pure Country 4-H Club.

Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff presented all outstanding intermediate and junior awards as well as the senior awards.

New County Council Officers for the 2023-2024 are: President-Cooper Mau; Vice President-Harper Mau; Secretary-Kaylee Hensley; Treasurer Madeline Willrich, Reporter-Tori Newton; Parliamentarian- Railey Nieto.