Fayette County 4-H Banquet Held at Historic Casino Hall

4-H Opportunity Scholarship: Railey Nieto, Kaylee Hensley, Cooper Mau; Not pictured: Cash Smith. Emily Fritsch 4-H Scholarship: Mr. Lee Fritsch, Railey Nieto, Cooper Mau, and Mrs. Phylis Fritsch, Not Pictured: Kayme Schley. Texas Cup Livestock Judging: Tatum Fritsch and Abraham Mc-Bride. Friend of 4-H: Raegan and Todd Fritsch (center holding certificate and banner) Council Officers: Madeline Willrich, Kaylee Hensley, Railey Nieto, Cooper Mau, Tori Newton, and Harper Mau. Outstanding Intermediates: from left: Cailee Daniel, Crockett Guenther, Abraham McBride, and Kylee Hoffmann. 2024-2025 Council Officers: Harper Mau, Tori Newton, Madeline Willrich, Logan Poncik, Rheagan Karisch, and Crockett Guenther. Display Booth Winner: Schulenburg 4-H pictured from left: Abigale McBride, Clay Hoffmann, Crockett Guenther, Hudson Holub, and Abraham McBride Back Row: Madyson Holub, Holden Holub, Haley Schramek, Mikayla Otto, and Kylee Hoffmann. Outstanding Juniors: Rilan Karisch, Clay Hoffmann, Joseph Carrales, Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff, presenting the awards, and Benjamin Garlick. Senior Awards: (front, from left) Addison Faske and Logan Poncik; (back) Madeline Willrich, Elena Supak, Tori Newton, Railey Nieto and Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff presenting awards. Livestock Judgers: (front, from left) Coach JoJo Carrales, Crockett Guenther, Tate Fritsch, Joseph Carrales, Hudson Holub and Coach Kaci Carrales; (second row) Abbigale Eichler, Hayleigh Pizzitola, Abigale McBride, Adalyn Carrales, Kaisley Janecka, and Abraham McBride; (third row) Brealey Nieto, Rilan Karisch, Julia Melton, Sawyer Mau, Addison Berckenhoff, Tatum Fritsch, Alexis Berckenhoff, Holden Holub, and Logan Poncik; (back row) Railey Nieto, Haley Schramek, Rheagan Karisch, Tori Newton, Addison Eichler, Dyson Holub, Harper Mau, Kaylee Hensley, and Peyton Gilchrest.

The annual Fayette County 4-H Banquet was held on Sunday, Aug. 11, 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: William Bernsen, Cooper Mau, Railey Nieto, and Kayme Schley.

4-H Opportunity Scholarships: $20,000, Cooper Mau; $20,000, Cash Smith; $5,000, Railey Nieto; $1,000, Kaylee Hensley.

Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association Scholarship: Cooper Mau.

Emily Fritsch 4-H Scholarships: Cooper Mau, Railey Nieto, and Kayme Schley.

Friend of 4-H: Todd and Raegan Fritsch, Giddings Livestock.

4-H Club Display Booth: Schulenburg 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.

Abraham McBride was 5th overall in the Junior Texas Cup and Tatum Fritsch was 7th overall in the Junior Texas Cup. The Texas Cup is awarded to the top livestock judgers in the State.

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 Rilan Karisch of the Pure Country 4-H Club, Clay Hoffman of the Schulenburg 4-H Club, Joseph Carrales of the Flatonia 4-H Club, and Benjamin Garlick of the La Grange 4-H Club This year’s Outstanding Intermediates are Cailee Daniel of the Fayetteville 4-H Club, Crockett Guenther of the Schulenburg 4-H Club, Abraham McBride of the Schulenburg 4-H Club, and Kylee Hoffmann of the Schulenburg 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 Addison Faske of the La Grange 4-H Club and Madeline Willrich 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 Elena Supak of the La Grange 4-H Club and Logan Poncik of the Fayetteville 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 Railey Nieto of the Flatonia 4-H Club and Tori Newton of the La Grange 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 2024-2025 are: President, Harper Mau; Vice President, Tori Newton; Secretary, Madeline Willrich; Treasurer, Logan Poncik; Reporter, Rheagan Karisch; Parliamentarian, Crockett Guenther.