(Courtesy Portage County 4-H)

Portage Co. 4-H honors youth and adult members at annual awards event

Metro Wire Staff

AMHERST — The Portage County 4-H recognized its youth and adult members with two awards ceremonies this weekend at the Jenson Center in Amherst.

The adult banquet took place on Friday, Nov. 1, followed by the youth award ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 3.

At the adult banquet, several individuals were honored for their years of dedicated service:

  • One Year of Service: Brooke Mallek (Junction City Golden Stars), Caroline Peterson (Nelsonville Zippy Zees), Stephanie Radtke (Carson Climbers), Andrea Slattery (Plover Clovers)
  • Five Years of Service: Wendy Christianson (Nelsonville Zippy Zees), Adam Klapperich (County-Wide)
  • Ten Years of Service: Kimberly Beaudoin (Tomorrow River Voyagers), Sharon Cisewski (Plover Clovers), Michelle Davis (Rosholt Pioneers), Ann Glazer (Howling Huskies), Sarah Gwidt (Casimer Boosters), Barbara Kasprowicz (Almond Busy Bees), Paula Kropidlowski (County-Wide)
  • Fifteen Years of Service: Amy Wojtalewicz (Rosholt Pioneers), Candice Wolosek (Plover Clovers)
  • Twenty Years of Service: Suzette Trzebiatowski (Plover Clovers)
  • Thirty Years of Service: Roy Danforth (Almond Busy Bees)
  • Forty Years of Service: Kathleen Glodowski (County-Wide)
  • Forty-Five Years of Service: Edward Heil (Plover Clovers)
  • Fifty Years of Service: Bonnie Ziolkowski (Casimer Boosters)

Additional awards included the 4-H Alumni Award presented to Darlene Weinfurter, Volunteer Leader of the Year to Kathy Glodowski, and Friend of 4-H to Roger and Emily Van Beek of Portesi Italian Foods.

On Sunday, young members received awards for their achievements and milestones in 4-H. First-year members were recognized across various clubs, including Almond Busy Bees, Junction City Golden Stars, Nelsonville Zippy Zees, Plover Clovers, Rosholt Pioneers, Sunnyside Climbers, and Tomorrow River Voyagers.

Youth members were also recognized with Disc Awards, which honor points earned through 4-H participation:

  • Bronze Disc (40 points): Hazel Oliver, Jessica Oliver, Raliegh Oliver, Christina Peterson, Cortnee Peterson, Nora Schmied (Nelsonville Zippy Zees), Avery Rooney (Tomorrow River Voyagers)
  • Silver Disc (90 points): Nora Lein (Almond Busy Bees), Kaitlin Cisewski (Carson Climbers), Marcus Krueger, Sydney Krueger (Casimer Boosters), and more.
  • Gold Disc (140 points): Marie Keck (Casimer Boosters), Mara Raddatz (Nelsonville Zippy Zees), Brenna Lockman (Plover Clovers)
  • Honor Disc (200 points): Camryn Wade (Almond Busy Bees), Marie Keck (Casimer Boosters), Anna Peters (Sunnyside Climbers)
  • High Honor Disc (260 points): Candace Lein (Almond Busy Bees), Trisha Edmundson (Sunnyside Climbers), Anna Peters (Sunnyside Climbers), Amara Beaudoin (Tomorrow River Voyagers), Noah Spoelstra (Tomorrow River Voyagers)
  • Excellence Disc (320 points): Juniper Rydberg (Casimer Boosters), Jacob Spoelstra (Tomorrow River Voyagers)

Graduating members were also celebrated, along with Leader of Tomorrow awards presented to Jacob and Noah Spoelstra of the Tomorrow River Voyagers. Key Awards went to Marie Keck of the Casimer Boosters.

Youth leadership awards highlighted members who excelled in various categories, including Outstanding Club Secretary to Via Friedman (Almond Busy Bees) and County Youth Leader to Isaac Spoelstra (Tomorrow River Voyagers).

For more information about the Portage County 4-H and its programs, contact the Portage County 4-H Teen Leaders Association Advisor, Malayna Polum.