County 4-H recognition night held

April 06, 2009|By BETH BUBACZ NICHOLS, Special to The Herald-Mail

Washington County 4-H handed out awards at its annual recognition night recently.

4-H scholarship winners

Distribution of scholarships is an annual event at the 4-H recognition night. Mary Ellen Waltemire, MCE West Region director, assisted with the scholarships:

Washington County 4-H Dairy Scholarship, $500 - Spencer Leggett and Tracey Forsythe

Washington County Association for Family & Community Scholarship, $200 - Leanna Young

Washington County Horse Council 4-H Scholarship, $250 - Matthew Johnson

Washington County 4-H Market Sale Committee Scholarship, $500 - Erin Canfield and Katie Frey

Hall of Fame

The 4-H Hall of Fame award went to Donna Schmidt, who began as a 4-H parent 22 years ago and took over as the Bits N Bridles Club leader in 1994. The award recognizes a volunteer who shows outstanding leadership and commitment to 4-H on both the local and state level.

Family of the Year

The DeBaugh family was named 4-H Family of the Year. The Debaughs are a multi-generational Washington County 4-H family. Matt, Tammy, Scott, Carol and Cory have been active over the past several years. In 2008, Tammy took over as leader of the Junior Fair Board, where all three children are involved. As of January, Matt and Tammy decided to step into the role of Dairy Club leaders for Mike and Chris Forsythe. Scott, Carol and Cory all hold leadership positions in the clubs they are involved in and have participated on the dairy judging team. The family has been very active at the annual Ag Expo and Fair.

Honorary 4-H member

This year's honorary 4-H member is Kim Yocklin, who is fairly new to the Washington County 4-H program. However, over the past two years, the Tail Waggers' leader has resurrected the club formally known as the dog club.

Kim has been working with and showing dogs for more than 25 years. The Tail Waggers and Kim have been busy in the community since she became leader having information booths and fundraisers at Canines on the Canal, Bark at the Park, Animal Clinic of Funkstown Pet Fair and working with the Mason Dixon Kennel Club.

Friend of 4-H

The Friend of 4-H Award went to the Hagerstown YMCA, which has developed a partnership between the 4-H community and the YMCA community. The YMCA contributes four members to the advisory board, hosts 4-H enrichment activities in two after-school programs, and helps out wherever it can.

Volunteers honored

Recognizing volunteers for their years of service and youth for their project work are the main focus of recognition night.

This year, volunteers were acknowledged for one to 35 years of service to Washington County 4-H Youth Development.

Members of the 4-H youth were presented awards for their project work and a variety of achievements, including Dairy Judging, Livestock Judging, Horse Bowl, Junior Fair Board, Maryland 4-H All Stars and Diamond Clover Awards.

Members of the Fountaindale and Fountain Rock YMCA 4-H Afterschool Clubs were also acknowledged.

Ag Expo awards

The final awards presented were for the 2008 Washington County Ag Expo Showmanship Champions and Home Arts Grand Champions. Winners were presented trophies for their accomplishments by Ag Expo Board member and 4-H Advisory Committee member Leslie Hendrickson.

Harlan Biggs award

The Harlan Biggs Award was presented to Tim Martin for his accomplishments at the 2009 Spring Swine Show in February. This award is sponsored by the Pomona Grange.

Beth Bubacz Nichols is the extension educator for 4-H Youth Development for the Maryland Cooperative Extension in Washington County.

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