Worth County 4-H’ers Earn 2012 State 4-H Project Awards

6/28/12

AMES, Iowa -- The following Worth County 4-H’ers have earned state 4-H project awards. A state 4-H project award is the highest achievement 4-H’ers can receive in 4-H Youth Development project work through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Each student also received a $100 savings bond from the Mary Jo and Glen Mente Endowment and the Iowa 4-H Foundation.

• Sophia Benjegerdes, Mason City, received a state 4-H leadership project award. Benjegerdes, 18, is the daughter of Karl and Tina Benjegerdes.

A nine-year 4-H member, Benjegerdes has completed projects on swine, clothing, communication, leadership and citizenship. She has served as president, secretary and recreational director of her 4-H club. She participated in her county 4-H council, National 4-H Congress and the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference.

“4-H has made me a confident person and has allowed me to try various project areas,” Benjegerdes said.

• Evan Fritz, Northwood, received a state 4-H leadership project award. Fritz, 18, is the son of Keith and Laura Fritz.

A nine-year 4-H member, Fritz has completed projects on communication, leadership, citizenship, poultry and sheep. He has served as treasurer, reporter and secretary of his 4-H club. He participated in his county, area and state 4-H councils, National 4-H Congress, his county youth committee and the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference.

“4-H has been the largest contributor to my growth and success in my academics and my community life,” Fritz said.

• Katie Fuller, Manly, received a state 4-H citizenship project award. Fuller, 15, is the daughter of Tim Fuller and Brenda Nesheim-Fuller.

A two-year 4-H member, Fuller has completed projects on citizenship, photography, visual arts, dogs and clothing. She participated in her county 4-H council.

“4-H has helped me in many ways,” said Fuller. “One of the most visible and important changes I have made since joining 4-H is how I react to the world around me. I am much less shy and more outgoing.”

[PHOTO] Katie Fuller

• Jayde Hapgood, Kensett, received a state 4-H communication project award. Hapgood is the daughter of Paul and Lisa Overland.

A seven-year 4-H member, Hapgood has completed projects on dairy, clothing, citizenship, leadership and communication. She has served as secretary of her 4-H club. She participated in her county 4-H county, her county youth committee and the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference.

“4-H has helped prepare me for my future by giving me communication and leadership skills I will use in college and in a future career,” Hapgood said.

[PHOTO] Jayde Hapgood

• Kayla Krull, Northwood, received a state 4-H leadership project award. Krull, 18, is the daughter of Paul and Cynthia Krull.

A nine-year 4-H member, Krull has completed projects on leadership, clothing, personal development, home improvement, visual arts and communication. She has served as president, vice president and treasurer of her 4-H club. She participated in her county, area and state 4-H councils, the National 4-H Conference, National 4-H Congress and the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference.

“My 4-H has helped me to grow as a leader and responsible citizen and to have my voice heard at a national level,” Krull said.

• Kelci Larson, Northwood, received a state 4-H beef project award. Larson, 17, is the daughter of Larry and Karla Larson.

An eight-year 4-H member, Larson has completed projects on beef, horse, photography, visual arts and leadership. She has served as president, vice president and treasurer of her 4-H club. She participated in her county 4-H council, her county youth committee and the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference.

“4-H has been a very important part of my life,” said Larson. “It has given me many life changing opportunities to make friends and learn more about the world around me.”

[PHOTO] Kelci Larson

• Casey Loken, Northwood, received a state 4-H visual art project award. Loken, 17, is the daughter of Rod and Sue Loken.

An eight-year 4-H member, Loken has completed projects on visual art, sewing, home improvement, lambs and horses. She has served as historian of her 4-H club. She participated in her county 4-H council and the Citizenship –Washington Focus.

“4-H helped me evolve from a shy little girl to a confident person,” Loken said.

[PHOTO] Casey Loken

• Aaron Prestholt, Manly, received a state 4-H communication award. Prestholt, 15, is the son of Dave and Linda Prestholt.

A six-year 4-H member, Prestholt has completed projects on communication, photography, woodworking, sheep and cattle. He has served as recreation coordinator of his 4-H club. He participated in his county 4-H council and the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference.

“4-H provides awesome opportunities to develop life skills,” Prestholt said.

• Amy Prestholt, Manly, received a state 4-H communication project award. Prestholt, 17, is the daughter of Dave and Linda Prestholt.

An eight-year 4-H member, Prestholt has completed projects on horses, dogs, communication, leadership and photography. She has served as vice president, secretary and reporter of her 4-H club. She participated in her county, area and state 4-H councils, her county youth committee, the National 4-H Conference and the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference.

“4-H, through its wide variety of programs and opportunities, has shaped me to be the person I am today by allowing me to get involved as a leader and communicator,” Prestholt said.

• Gage Tenold, Northwood, received a state 4-H photography project award. Tenold, 16, is the son of Russ and Renate Tenold.

A six-year 4-H member, Tenold has completed projects on communication, photography and woodworking. He has served as secretary of his 4-H club. He participated in his county 4-H council and the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference.

“4-H has helped me grow as a person in gaining confidence in myself and my ability to communicate with others on a personal basis,” Tenold said.

• Matt Tweeten, Kensett, received a state 4-H sheep project award. Tweeten, 17, is the son of Brian and Julie Tweeten.

An eight-year 4-H member, Tweeten has completed projects on sheep, dogs, horses, woodworking and home improvement. He has served as president, secretary and treasurer of his 4-H club. He participated in his county and state 4-H councils and the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference.

“4-H has helped influence me as a person by providing opportunities to practice and learn important life skills,” Tweeten said.

[PHOTO] Matt Tweeten

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