AMES, Iowa – Iowa 4-H members practiced and tested their leadership, communications, and college and career readiness skills as they participated in the annual State 4-H Recognition Day interviews March 27 at Iowa State University. This statewide event, held each spring, is the culmination of the year’s recognition process.
Senior 4-H members in grades 9-12 can apply to be selected for special statewide opportunities, awards and trips, including National 4-H Conference, State 4-H Council, Iowa 4-H Reporters Program and Iowa 4-H Healthy Living Ambassadors. On State 4-H Recognition Day, they participate in hands-on educational application and interview activities to demonstrate their skills.
The State 4-H Recognition Day coordination team worked with 4-H volunteers to review written applications and conduct panel interviews, delivering an engaging, skill-building experience for 4-H participants.
“Through evaluating 4-H project areas, it is clear we have inspiring 4-H members doing amazing things throughout our state,” said Leann Baumhover, State 4-H Recognition Day volunteer. “It is exciting to think of these 4-H members as the strength of our future. The ripple effects of their efforts will certainly affect our communities for years to come.”
Awards are made possible by donors to the Iowa 4-H Foundation. The event ran smoothly with the support of 114 caring adult volunteers from across Iowa. They reviewed 4-H award applications and interviewed the youth participants. Approximately half the participating youth were interviewed in person, while the rest chose to be interviewed virtually using video teleconference platforms. 2022 award winners included the following youth and are organized by county.
National 4-H Conference
National 4-H Conference engages young people in a week-long focus group in Washington, D.C., where they share their perspectives on important issues with national leaders, including members of Congress.
- Steiger Manson, Benton County.
- Megan Wells, Mills County.
- Nehemiah Westercamp, Van Buren County.
- Teagan Johnson, Worth County.
- Sydney Schilling, Worth County.
- Holden Willrett, Worth County.
National 4-H Congress
Youth applied for National 4-H Congress, a week-long trip to Atlanta, Georgia, which promotes leadership, community service, team building and cultural issues.
- Nathaniel Scott, Boone County.
- Abby Elsamiller, Bremer County.
- Leah Bean, Buena Vista County.
- Hadley Shatek, Cerro Gordo County.
- Derek Goth, Cherokee County.
- Monica Osborn, East Pottawattamie County.
- Amanda Ostrem, Hamilton County.
- Kaylee Nicholas, Linn County.
- Morgan McKay, Marion County.
- Emma Brennan, Plymouth County.
- Kaci Vanlaningham, Polk County.
- Bridget Johnson, Polk County.
- Emma Lihs, Polk County.
- Jack Willrett, Worth County.
State 4-H Council
State 4-H Council members work directly with Iowa 4-H, representing the program across the state. They also plan the annual Iowa 4-H Youth Conference held at the end of June, which hosts over 700 Iowa youth on the Iowa State University campus.
- Alaina Gebel, Allamakee County.
- Ashlynn Hamilton, Appanoose County.
- Nathaniel Scott, Boone County.
- Brody Kuhse, Bremer County.
- Kysa Klein, Bremer County.
- Abby Elsamiller, Bremer County.
- Casey Leerhoff, Butler County.
- Miles Bogue, Carroll County.
- Hadley Shatek, Cerro Gordo County.
- Derek Goth, Cherokee County.
- Katie Bryant, Cherokee County.
- Gensley Ball, Clay County.
- Brooke Hansel, Clayton County.
- Molly Freese, Crawford County.
- Parker Weirich, East Pottawattamie County.
- Anna Egan, Fayette County.
- Andrew Hommel, Grundy County.
- Emily Waugh, Hamilton County.
- Amanda Ostrem, Hamilton County.
- Kaylee Nicholas, Linn County.
- Kira Ingwersen, Linn County.
- Madallyn Gunzenhauser, Lucas County.
- Addie Burkett, Madison County.
- Morgan McKay, Marion County.
- Megan Wells, Mills County.
- Allyson Johnson, Page County.
- Emma Brennan, Plymouth County.
- LaVertus (Verdy) Klocke, Pocahontas County.
- Kaci Vanlaningham, Polk County.
- Bridget Johnson, Polk County.
- Madison Geater, Story County.
- Nehemiah Westercamp, Van Buren County.
- Sasha McCoy, Warren County.
- Jubilee Cunigan, Webster County.
- Madison Branstad, Winnebago County.
- Autumn Schmitt, Winneshiek County.
- Maria McGowan, Woodbury County.
- Teagan Johnson, Worth County.
- Sydney Schilling, Worth County.
- Holden Willrett, Worth County.
Healthy Living Ambassadors
These youth will be immersed in a community health and wellness learning experience addressing issues such as hunger and food insecurity, nutrition and physical health, and mental well-being.
- Brody Kuhse, Bremer County.
- Carly Appel, Hamilton County.
- Elijah Westercamp, Van Buren County.
- Sylvia Hess, Webster County.
Project Award Winners
Fifty youth were selected around the state to win project area awards. These young people have demonstrated mastery, leadership, communication and service in a specific project area throughout their 4-H career. Winners will receive an Iowa 4-H Foundation cash award of $125 with the support of project area award sponsors Glen and Mary Jo Mente.
- Alaina Gebel, Allamakee County – Swine.
- Alex Ludeking, Benton County – Communication.
- Makenna Lichty, Black Hawk County – Photography.
- Erin Barnes, Boone County – Health.
- Josephine Mowrer, Boone County – Sheep.
- Kinley Mims, Calhoun County – Sheep.
- Bryan York, Cass County – Horticulture.
- Hadley Shatek, Cerro Gordo County – Communication.
- Branden Whited, Cherokee County – Beef.
- Caleb Frostestad, Dickinson County – Horticulture.
- Amanda Ostrem, Hamilton County - Swine.
- Collin Grove, Ida County – Beef.
- Madison Craig, Johnson County - Civic Engagement.
- Bridget Fisher, Johnson County – Swine.
- Lauren Koehler, Jones County - Dairy Cattle.
- Gabrielle Kustes, Keokuk County – Clothing.
- Addie Burkett, Madison County – Communication.
- Josephine Burkett, Madison County - Civic Engagement.
- Morgan McKay, Marion County – Communication.
- Kayla Streight, Mills County – Poultry.
- Ashley Rosener, Monona County - Civic Engagement.
- Sara Rosener, Monona County – Leadership.
- Anna Marine, Muscatine County - Civic Engagement.
- Hannah Albrecht, Plymouth County - Civic Engagement.
- Emma Brennan, Plymouth County - Sewing and Needle Arts.
- Bethany Kelly, Polk County – Horticulture.
- Emma Lihs, Polk County – Poultry.
- Molly Turley, Poweshiek County – Leadership.
- Thea Larsson, Poweshiek County – Horticulture.
- Logan Pickhinke, Sac County – Communication.
- Dillon Hanlon, Story County - Consumer Management.
- Ananya Balaji, Story County - Environment Sustainability.
- Avyay Balaji, Story County – STEM.
- Madison Geater, Story County - Food and Nutrition.
- Zachary Campbell, Story County – STEM.
- Lauren Keller, Tama County – Leadership.
- Tyler Loudon, Union County - Civic Engagement.
- Nehemiah Westercamp, Van Buren County – Leadership.
- Sasha McCoy, Warren County - Civic Engagement.
- Henry Groos, Warren County – Health.
- Hannah Groos, Warren County – Communication.
- Emma Alstott, Webster County - Civic Engagement.
- Holly Schmitt, Winneshiek County - Communication.
- Addy Johnson, Woodbury County - Dogs.
- Jacob Mitchell, Woodbury County - Mechanics.
- Jake McGowan, Woodbury County – Communication.
- Maria McGowan, Woodbury County – Communication.
- Brigid McGowan, Woodbury County - Civic Engagement.
- Teagan Johnson, Worth County – Leadership.
- Emma Davidson, Worth County – Leadership.
Iowa 4-H Reporters
Iowa 4-H Reporters receive hands-on training in video production, radio and journalism from 4-H partner organizations, and then work in teams covering events at the Iowa State Fair.
- Miles Bogue, Carroll County.
- Sophia Costello, Clinton County.
- Emily Waugh, Hamilton County.
- Morgan McKay, Marion County.
- Megan Wells, Mills County.
- Bridget Johnson, Polk County.
- Garrett Von Stein, Polk County.
- Thea Larsson, Poweshiek County.
- Holly Schmitt, Winneshiek County.
Safety and Education in Shooting Sports Ambassadors
These individuals will advocate for the Safety and Education in Shooting Sports program at the county, regional and state level, while gaining leadership, public presentation and public relations experience.
- Jocelynn Froah, Davis County.
- Wyatt Silhanek, Tama County.
For more information about Iowa 4-H Youth Development or Iowa 4-H Recognition opportunities, please contact Bonnie Dalager at bdalager@iastate.edu.
Shareable photo: State 4-H Recognition Day. Iowa 4-H members participated in interviews on the Iowa State University campus for the annual State 4-H Recognition Day on March 27.
