State 4-H Recognition is the process in which senior 4-H members in grades 9-12 can apply to be selected for special statewide opportunities such as awards and trips. The purpose of this event is to provide an avenue for youth recognition and to provide young people with an opportunity to practice and grow leadership, communications, and college and career readiness skills through application and interview activities.
State 4-H Recognition Day Important Dates
- Materials will be ready to view and use by November 15.
- Applications open in 4HOnline on January 1.
- The application deadline every year is 11:59 PM on February 1.
- Interview selection and schedule are announced in the first week of March. The deadline for requesting schedule changes is March 15, 2021.
- The virtual interviews will be held on Saturday, March 20 (9am-3pm) and Tuesday, March 23 (4-7pm), 2021.
- The campus interview event date is March 27, 2021.
- Awards announced every year in mid-April.
State Project Area Awards
State project area awards are awarded to 4-H members who have demonstrated leadership, communication, and service through activities, events and self-directed learning in a specific project area. Recipients will be provided with a $100 prize (dependent on funding). Up to 50 project area awards will be presented to Iowa 4-H members in grades 9-12 at the time of application. Follow the event page link above for more information on the opportunity and how to apply.
Marli Backhaus, Worth County, Clothing
Katherine Barnes, Boone County, Communication
Josephine Burkett, Madison County, Communication
Roy Carter, Washington County, Civic Engagement
Tianna Charlson, Worth County, Poultry
Madison Craig, Johnson County, Poultry
Lindsey Davidson, Worth County, Civic Engagement
Carla Edleman, Story County, Swine
Maren Egging, Marion County, Horse and Pony
Abby Ervin, Hamilton County, Civic Engagement
Morgan Farnham, Webster County, Civic Engagement
Megan Ford, Polk County, Dogs
Kaitlyn Goth, Cherokee County, Civic Engagement
Kristina Goth, Cherokee County, Civic Engagement
Hannah Groos, Warren County, Civic Engagement
Dillon Hanlon, Story County, Home Improvement
Caleb Hartsook, Story County, Woodworking
Sebastien Janelle, Polk County, Rabbit
Abby Kaska, Johnson County, Horse and Pony
Bethany Kelly, Polk County, Veterinary Science
Abigail Kelly, Polk County, Environment and Sustainability
Alexandria Klein, Carroll County, Music
Hannah Lanphere, Worth County, Leadership
Thea Larsson, Poweshiek County, Music
Tyler Loudon, Union County, Communication
Jacob Ludeking, Benton County, Music
Gabby McCoy, Warren County, Leadership
Sasha McCoy, Warren County, Food and Nutrition
Nicholas McGowan, Woodbury County, Communication
Jenna Messer, Washington County, Food and Nutrition
Brooke Miller, Johnson County, Horse and Pony
Koree Miller, Jones County, Civic Engagement
Morgan Moen, Winneshiek County, Health
Mallory Mulligan, Shelby County, Communication
Faith Palmer, Allamakee County, Dairy Cattle
Peyton Pangburn, Worth County, Leadership
Connor Pickhinke, Sac County, Civic Engagement
Logan Pickhinke, Sac County, Sewing and Needle Arts
Zayden Rawlings, Adair County, Health
Ava Rectenbaugh, Adair County, Leadership
Schuyler Ridenour, Dubuque County, STEM
Hannah Schiesl, Dubuque County, Veterinary Science
Alanna Schroeder, Boone County, Robotics
Nicholas Stocks, Delaware County, Communication
Emily Taggs, Shelby County, Sewing and Needle Arts
Brayden Weldon, Polk County, Swine
Josiah Westercamp, Van Buren County, Rabbit
Nehemiah Westercamp, Van Buren County, Rabbit
Jack Willrett, Worth County, Pets
Bryan York, Cass County, Home Improvement
National 4-H Conference
National 4-H Conference is a week-long trip to our nation's capital each spring. Youth stay at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, MD with delegates from across the nation. This is a working event where youth will share their perspectives on issues relevant to youth with national leaders, including Congressional members. 5-6 delegates in grades 9-11 at the time of application will be selected, dependent on funding. Follow the event page link above for more information on the opportunity and how to apply.
Tianna Charlson, Worth County
Abby Kaska, Johnson County
Tyler Loudon, Union County
Sasha McCoy, Warren County
Justin Wells, Mills County
Shea Whaley, Wright County
National 4-H Congress
National 4-H Congress is held the day after the Thanksgiving holiday through the following Tuesday in Atlanta, GA. National 4-H Congress is comparable to the "State 4-H Youth Conference," but on a national scale. The event includes dynamic keynote speakers, community service in the Atlanta area, workshops on leadership, cultural issues, and team building. 20 delegates in grades 9-11 at the time of application will be selected, dependent on funding. Follow the event page link above for more information on the opportunity and how to apply.
Emma Alstott, Webster County
Britt Bowersox, Johnson County
Tianna Charlson, Worth County
Madison Craig, Johnson County
Kristina Goth, Cherokee County
Hannah Groos, Warren County
Dillon Hanlon, Story County
Cecelia Hill, Worth County
Lindsey Jennett, Taylor County
Abby Kaska, Johnson County
Hannah Lanphere, Worth County
Alex Ludeking, Benton County
Sasha McCoy, Warren County
Logan Pickhinke, Sac County
Nathan Rethwisch, Webster County
Ashley Rosener, Monona County
Aneisha Sritharan, Humboldt County
Megan Wells, Mills County
Wyatt Willand, Worth County
Holden Willrett, Worth County
State 4-H Council
The State 4-H Council is a group of young people who serve as ambassadors for the Iowa 4-H program. This group of high school students works directly with Iowa 4-H Youth Development staff to represent 4-H across the state. They speak to local 4-H groups, present ideas to staff, and work in committees to plan the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference and 4-H members for 4-H campaign. 40 delegates in grades 10-11 at the time of application will be selected. Follow the event page link above for more information on the opportunity and how to apply.
Emma Alstott, Webster County
Michelle Anderson, Buena Vista County
Logan Blum, Sac County
Jorge Boland, Linn County
Britt Bowersox, Johnson County
Chloe Burge, Fremont County
Roy Carter, Washington County
Tianna Charlson, Worth County
Madison Craig, Johnson County
Rebekah Craighton, Franklin County
Austen David, Taylor County
Diana Davison, Allamakee County
Julia Deppe, Bremer County
Kristina Goth, Cherokee County
Dillon Hanlon, Story County
Claire Hennessy, Harrison County
Cecelia Hill, Worth County
Ellyse Holubar, Johnson County
Ella Hommel, Grundy County
Lindsey Jennett, Taylor County
Noah Johnson, Taylor County
Grace Johnson, Polk County
Kelsie Kinne, Worth County
Cadence Koenigs, Monona County
Jake Lahr, Hamilton County
Hannah Lanphere, Worth County
Natalie Marr, Chickasaw County
Jacob McGowan, Woodbury County
Regan Peters, Plymouth County
Logan Pickhinke, Sac County
Emily Plagman, Cass County
Jayce Reed, Monroe County
Paige Roberts, Buena Vista County
Holly Schmitt, Winneshiek County
Aneisha Sritharan, Humboldt County
Brayden Weldon, Polk County
Justin Wells, Mills County
Josiah Westercamp, Van Buren County
Aliza Woodford, Palo Alto County
Ashley Yedlik, Johnson County
State 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador
The 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador Program is designed to promote 4-H Shooting Sports. Youth selected to serve as Ambassadors will receive training to become advocates for the program at the county, regional, and state levels. Through the program, Ambassadors develop skills in leadership, public presentation, civic engagement, community service, public relations, and team building. Up to 2 awardees may also be selected to participate in National 4-H SESS Teen Institute. Up to 9 ambassadors in grades 9-11 at the time of application will be selected. Follow the event page link above for more information on the opportunity and how to apply.
Walker Bolander, Louisa County
Vicente Butcher, Adams County
Taylor Vonk, Sioux County
Iowa 4-H Reporter Program
The Iowa 4-H Reporters program is an opportunity for youth who have an interest in media and the communications project area. Selected participants will get to work with professional media mentors from Iowa Public Television, WHO Radio, and the Iowa Newspaper Association and develop news media during two consecutive weekdays of the Iowa State Fair. Follow the program page link above for more information. Up to sixteen participants in grades 9-12 will be selected each year. Follow the event page link above for more information on the opportunity and how to apply.
Marli Backhaus, Worth County
JoAnn Brahms, Cass County
Rebekah Craighton, Franklin County
Bridget Johnson, Polk County
Noah Johnson, Taylor County
Cadence Koenigs, Monona County
4-H Recognition Day has given me the opportunity to prepare a resume and be interviewed, both skills that will be valuable in my future. I recommend this experience for all 4-Hers looking to prepare themselves for a job or career after high school. --Britt Bowersox, Graham Champions 4-H Club, Johnson County
4-H teaches young people like me life lessons that I will use to become a successful adult in a changing world. --Josephine Burkett, Scottish Farm Feeders 4-H Club, Madison County