4-H leaders are recognized at 59th annual banquet

Award recipients Special awards were presented at the recent 4-H Leaders' Banquet. Recipients were (l-r): Deb Guckien, John Peterson Award for being an Outstanding 4-H Exhibit Board member; Meg Burnworth, Doris Peterson Award for Outstanding 4-H Leaders; and Helen Ennis and Lynn Brown, 2006 4-H Outstanding Alumni. Photo provided

Meg Burnworth received the Doris Peterson Outstanding 4-H Leader Award at the 59th Annual 4-H Leaders' Banquet held recently. She was selected by her fellow leaders in Carroll County because of her dedication to the 4-H program. Burnworth has been the Monroe Achievers 4- H Club Leader for 33 years.

Other special awards presented included the John Peterson and the 4-H Alumni. Deb Guckien was selected by the 4-H Exhibit Association to receive the John Peterson. This award is given to an outstanding 4-H Exhibit Board member who unselfishly goes above and beyond the call of duty in their support of the 4- H program and the county fair. Guckien has served on the board for seven years and has been active in setting up the 4-H buildings each year, the Awards Committee, the Auction Committee, and was treasurer for the past 3 years and has been elected as second vice president for 2007.

This year the Exhibit Board selected two outstanding Carroll County 4-H Alumni who support the 4-H program throughout the year. Lynn Brown has served on the Sheep Livestock Committee for 6 years and has also joined the Swine Committee for 2007. Helen Ennis has been the 4-H Cat Project Leader for 19 years and served on the Exhibit Board for eight years.

Certificates and year pins were presented to the following Club Leaders: FIRST YEAR - Tamie Arnett, Shelley Bowlin, Allison Cocanower, Julie Jeffery, Eric Johnson, Kathy Justice, Mark Justice, Suzan Overholser. FIVE YEAR - Rita Clark, Lois Combs, Deb Guckien, Randie Veach, Brianne Wilson.

Project Leaders receiving certificates and year pins were: FIRST YEAR - Tami Arnett, Shelley Bowlin, Cory Cocanower, Kim Dillman, Jennifer Fife, Sherri Garrison, Julie Jeffery, Eric Johnson, Kathy Justice, Mark Justice, Dave Lambert, Tobe Leazenby, Cassie McLaughlin, Peg Minnicus, Suzan Overholser, Jon Randle, and Jennifer Spesard. FIVE YEAR - Rick Burns, Rita Clark, Deb Foreman, Randal Larimore, and Amy Myer. TEN YEAR - Jennifer Frey, Charles Garrison, Rhonda Hicks, Joanne Lytton, Beth Myers, Dennis Randle and Jean Ann Randle. FIFTEEN YEAR - Teresa Fife, Eric Haley and Bill Hinshaw. TWENTY YEAR - Marcia Jura.

Janet Ayres, Purdue Specialist, was guest speaker. Her presentation was titled, "4-H Builds Strong Leaders." She shared how leadership is related to the 4-H Pledge:

+ It takes clear thinking so that decisions are made conscientiously and with wisdom.

+ Comes from the heart and guides rightness in our decision making.

+ Requires "hands-on" actions;

+ Requires clean living, starting with ourselves and sharing with our families and also the community.