4-Her’s from Mitchell and Lincoln Counties gathered at the Barnard Community Building last night for a “Fall Fling” to celebrate the accomplishments of members for the 2008 club year.

According to Aliesha Wood, Post Rock Extension Agent, the two counties have been

sharing this joint celebration for about eight years now, moving the event to different sites within the two counties each year. This is a way to showcase their achievements in their individual club projects and acknowledge their participation in leadership and citizenship fazes of the 4-H program, Wood said.

The highest award presented during the evening was the winner of the Citizenship Washington Focus Trip. This is a 12-day road trip across the United States this coming summer. It includes stops at the Gateway Arch, Gettysburg Battlefield, Independence hall and many other amazing sites.

Extension Agent Wood said, “It is with great pride that I announce that the winner of the Washington Focus Trip who will be representing the Post Rock District this summer is Clare Thiessen. Thiessen is a senior at Beloit High School and has been involved in Asherville Achievers 4-H Club for many years.

One of the other highlights of every 4-H achievement program is the announcement of the youth who are winners of trips to Kansas City and Denver. To win these trips, 4-H members have to apply for the trips and explain why they want to go on the trip, what their expectations are and what their most outstanding achievement in 4-H has been. They also have to provide an example of a time that they have used their leadership skills in their local club or community.

The first trip winner to be announced was for the four-day Kansas City Global Conference. Selected to attend were: Sara Winkel, Jessie Belden, Tyler Breneman and Katie Lawson.

A trip to Denver sponsored by the Farmway Coop is awarded to two 4-Her’s from each county. 4-Her’s attend the National Western Stock Show, go skiing and visit many sites in the Denver area. Winners of this trip were Mitchell Keller, Tanner Weidenhaft, Chad Ostermann and Broeckelman.

Post Fair Awards were presented as follows: Mitchell County gives an overall trophy for the Livestock Herdsmanship award. It was sponsored by Farmway Coop and was won by the West Beloit 4-H Club.

Lincoln County presents individual Livestock Herdsmanship awards. The Bullfoot Creek/ Sylvan Hustlers 4-H Club won the Beef trophy. The Sheep Herdsmanship award went to Salt Creek 4-H Club and the Swine Herdsman Award went to the Bullfoot Creek/Sylvan Hustlers Club.

Lincoln County presents a Bell Ringer Award based on a combination of live animal placing at the county fair, average daily gain and the placing in the carcass contest.

The winners with the highest total scores went to Kimberly Hitter, Beef Champion and Daryl Simmons, Hog Champion.

Brandon Broeckelman, Jessie Belden received awards from Kansas Farm Bureau for their leadership abilities for serving as 4-H Camp Counselors and Claire Thiessen for serving as Camp Councilor at the Campference.

Purple Club Seal Awards were presented to the following clubs: Jr. Sunflower/Westfall Winners, West Beloit, Cloverleaf, Hunter and Asherville Achievers. Salt Creek Club received a Blue seal.

Since 1953 the Key Award has been presented to only the finest 4-H members in recognition of outstanding achievement. It is reserved for the top 1 percent of the total 4-H membership in Kansas. Six members were presented with this prestigious award: Mariah Wiles, Sara Winkel, Kyler Jones, Jessie Belden, Kimberly Hiiter and Analena Simmons.

The Mitchell County Service to 4-H award was presented to KVSV Radio’s John Swanson by Sara Winkel In presenting the plaque to Swanson, Winkel said, “ You were selected to receive this prestigious award because of the hard work and support you unselfishly give to the 4-H program each year. Your willingness to assist 4-Hers with their radio spots and all the promotion you give to 4-H on the radio during the fair is invaluable. Your support and dedication to the 4-H program is very much appreciated. We cannot thank you enough for everything you have done in the name of 4-H.”

Leader awards were presented to 2007-2008 club year leaders for the time and effort they have given to the 4-H Program.

2008 County Champion Winners were acknowledged:

Beef winners were: Triston Winkel, Cheyenne Meyer, Shayna Winkel and Analena Simmons.

Bucket Calf Winners were Tristen Winkel and Fritz Burger.

Champion Horse Winners were: Trevor Winkel, Bayleigh Broeckelman, Sara Winkel and Katie Lawson.

Meat Goats Champion was Cheyenne Meyer and Pets winner was Baili Kerth.

Poultry winner was Tristen Winkel. The Champion Rabbit belonged to Fritz Berger.

Sheep Championship Winners were Jamie Belden, Cheyenne Meyer, Jessie Belden and Jamie Briscoe.

Swine winners were Cheyenne Meyer, Robert Ludwig and Jamie Briscoe.

Dog Care and Training Winners were Sarabella Weidenhaft and Sara Winkel.

Small Engines: Trevor Winkel

Fiber Arts: Bridget Stanton and Shayna Winkel.

Clothing Winners were: Bridget Stanton, Taylor Workman and Bianca Broeckelman.

Foods and Nutrition Award went to: Bridget Stanton, Sara Voeltz, Shayna Winkel and Katie Lawson. The Health and Wellness winner was Sidney Odle.

Senior Citizenship Winner was Sara Winkel. Leadership Championship winners were Claire Thiessen and Tyler Breneman.

Photography winners were Caden Emmot, Taylor Workman and Chad Ostermann.

Plant Science winners were Trevor Winkel and Fritz Berger.

The Reading winner was Caden Emmot. Space Technology awards were presented to Nathan Thomas, Ian Thomas and Chad Ostermann. Triston Winkel and Fritz Berger won awards in the Shooting Sports division.

In the Self Determined division Trevor Winkel and Lucas Voeltz won an award in Welding and Kyler Jones won an award in the Magic category.

Fritz Berger won an award for his Wildlife project. Woodworking Championships went to Sierra Senger, Mikayla Breneman, Kyle Breneman and Tanner Weidenhaft.

As the program came to a close Extension Agent Wood thanked all who attended for supporting the 4-H program and said she hoped everyone would continue working together to make the best better for 4-Hers in the Post Rock District.