MORRIS COUNTY — Three high school students from Chester, Randolph, and Wharton recently earned the Morris County 4-H Club’s highest honors for their dedication to the 4-H program, outstanding leadership skills, and positive work in their communities.
Kristen Briney of Chester was named 4-Her of the Year. She is a member of the Dogs R Us 4-H dog-training club and Teen Council 4-H leadership club.
The 2018 National Leadership Award recipients were Elizabeth Kaufmann of Wharton and Johanna Pipoli of Randolph.
Elizabeth is a member of the Puppy Tails 4-H Seeing Eye puppy raising club and the Morris Marksmen 4-H shooting sports club. Johanna is a member of several 4-H clubs including Be The Change community service club, Buckanears small animal club, Dogs R Us, Teen Council, and Wing Nuts poultry club.
These high honors were among some 400 awards presented to members of 18 clubs whose members range in age from kindergarten to high school.
The 18 clubs are: 4-Footed Leaders, Buckanears, Dogs R Us, Feathered Friends, Freedom Fields, Furry Friends, Just Kid N Around, Puppy Tails, Wing Nuts, Mad Stem Scientists, Radical Racers, Claybusters, Morris Marksmen, Knit Wits, Shutterbugs, Be the Change, Kids 4 Kindness and Teen Council. Download the list here.
The youngest 4-H members, in kindergarten through third grade were recognized for their achievements with the Cloverbud Shooting Star Award. Youth in grades 4 and up were eligible to receive the Clover Award in recognition of their work over the past year.
Club members who pushed their abilities and skills further were awarded the Achievement Award and Personal Development Award. Leaders of 4-H clubs also honored the teens who served as positive role models to younger members, went above and beyond to support their 4-H clubs, and took on a leadership role with the Teen Leadership Award.
Each year, 4-H members work to develop their skills in a certain area of their club’s focus. They document relevant financial records, time commitments, and project results in a record book. Kids in grades K-3 receive special recognition for their diligent work in these books while older members are eligible to receive Best in Show for outstanding record keeping. Over 30 members received Best in Show medallions and all participants received judges’ feedback and award recognition for their work.
Morris County 4-H Clubs are made possible by the dedicated and caring adult volunteers who serve as club leaders. Each year these leaders are awarded for their years of service to 4-H. Over 60 adult volunteers were honored for their various years of service to the Morris County 4-H program. These caring adult volunteers help youth members grow their skills, knowledge, and abilities each year.
For more information on Morris County 4-H clubs, please contact the office at (973)-285-8301 or email 4hmorris@njaes.rutgers.edu or visit the website.
