Sampson County 4-Hers and their supporters were honored and enlightened during a special banquet earlier this week to tout their achievements.
The 4-H year ends in October and in order to recognize the accomplishment of clubs and individuals involved with 4-H in Sampson County, leaders hosted the annual Achievement Banquet for 2011-12 Tuesday evening at the Clinton-Sampson Agri-Exposition Center. Amanda Bradshaw, 4-H agent served a mistress of ceremonies for the evening with other members of the staff assisting.
A number of recognitions, certificates and other awards were presented following a presentation from guest speaker Scott Enroughty, Extension Assistant 4-H Youth Development/Family & Consumer Sciences from Raleigh.
Enroughty shared information regarding the 4-H program entitled Operation: Military Kids, a support system for families with a loved one deployed. The speaker explained that OMK was started in 2004 and helps to develop community networks for people, organizations and other resources to support military youth that are “in our own backyard.”
“North Carolina is the fourth largest military state in the United States and has the 10th largest National Guard as well. All 100 counties in the state have been impacted by deployment of National Guard and Reserve Units. And North Carolina is also one of a few states that has all branches of the military within its borders. All counties in the state now have a OMK program. The need for support of the military youth is vital and it is a program that has spread throughout the entire country,” asserted Enroughty.
OMK offers recreational, social and educational programs for military youth living in civilian communities and helps to support military kids who are coping with the stress of knowing their deployed loved ones may be in harm’s way. The other arm of OMK is to educate the public on the impact of the emotional cycle of service members, families, kids and the community as a whole.
OMK has four major programs — Hero Packs; Mobile Technology Lab; Ready, Set, Go!; and Speak Our for Military Kids. The Hero Packs provide items to help the youth stay connected with their deployed loved ones. The lab is used to teach parents how to utilize a variety of technology equipment to stay in touch with their deployed loved ones so they can go back home and share with their young people. Ready, Set, Go! are workshop that provide local citizens pertinent information, such as an introduction to military culture and the deployment cycle. This helps to unite civilian and military families and communities in a way as to support each other. Speak Out is a speaker’s bureau where youth ages 13 to 18 are given the opportunity to speak out on their experiences of having a loved one deployed. It helps them to develop skills in public speaking, leadership and citizenship.
Following Enroughty’s comments Bradshaw moved into the awards part of the program.
The first recognized were volunteers and sponsors. They were each given a Certificate of Appreciation. Those recognized were: Ann Butler (United Way/4-H Advisory Board Member); Dixie Jordan-Coats and Tommy Coats (Former 4-H Program Assistant/Volunteers); Eileen Coite (Wayne County Livestock Agent); Elaine Highsmith (Sampson County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee); Greg Hoover (SED Extension Director); Mary Horne (4-H Volunteer); Jackie Hunt (4-H Volunteer); Michael Johnson (Williamson Greenhouses); Summer Lanier (Prestage Farms Public Relations Director); Iris Lucas (former Sampson County 4-H Program Assistant); Marjorie Mabry (4-H Volunteer/Advisory Board Member); Dr. Sandy Maddox (4-H Volunteer/Advisory Board Member); Willie Parrish (Sampson County Beekeepers Association); Nelson Powell (Cape Fear Farm Credit Vice President/Branch Manager/Relationship Manager); Eloise Register (4-H Advisory Board Member/Sampson County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee/Master Gardener Volunteer/Friends of Horticulture Member); Sybil Smith (Sampson County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee/ Master Gardener Volunteer/Friends of Horticulture Member); Billy Todd (Sampson Independent Reporter); George [and Mary] Upton (former Sampson County Extension Director); and Kent Wooten (Sampson County Extension Director).
Bradshaw also presented Summer Lanier and Eileen Coite with a “Tip of the Hat Award” for their extra efforts as volunteers and contributors to 4-H.The “Above and Beyond Award — Sponsor of the Year Award went to Cape Fear Farm Credit.
The 4-H agent reminded the audience that all the awards presented were for accomplishments from October 2011 through September 2012, the past 4-H year.
Two at large awards were presented to Angel Faircloth and Phyllis Hobbs for their contributions to Sampson County 4-H.
New charted clubs were recognized. The first was AERO Robitics Club receiving a Charter Club Certificate. Leaders are Chase Piercy (Youth Volunteer Certificate, New Leader Certificate and 1 year pin) and Alberto Sada-Serna (Adult Volunteer Certificate, New Leader Certificate and 1 year pin). Members include: Cliff Flock, treasurer; Owen Flock, president; Wyatt Kendall and Denisse Sada-Romero, vice-president. The second charter club is Sampson Kids. The leader is Amber Parker. Members include: Bethany Heath Goat Mini PB, Toy & Hobby); Wyatt Kendall, president; Shane Kendall, secretary and Kendall Lanier (Horse Mini PB).
Established clubs were recognized including: Silver Cats (Green Emerald Seal for Charter Certificate) with leaders Kathryn Davis, 9 year pin and Adult Volunteer Certificate and Kim Lackey, 3 year pin and Adult Volunteer Certificate. Club members are: Zechariah Walker, Bug Out Mini PB, Toy & Hobby; Elisabeth Arroyo; Christian Cortez; Dustin Cortez; Kathryn Cortez, vice president, Animal Science PB, Toy & Hobby; Marissa Cortez; C.P. Davis, president, Environmental Science PB, Animal Science PB, Community Service for Operation First Hours; Esteban Davis, Animal Science PB, 2nd Animal Science; Jack Davis Environmental Science PB, Toy & Hobby; Jackie Davis, Plant Science PB, Animal Science PB, Community Service for Operation First Hours, Toy & Hobby, Youth Volunteer Certificate; Sequoyah Davis; Whitley Highsmith; Charles Key, Animal Science PB; Jackie Leanne Key, secretary, Citizenship PB; Mack Key, Animal Science PB; Mary Key; Yancey Key, treasurer, Animal Science PB; Amber Lackey, Family & Consumer Science PB, Animal Science PB, Community Service for Operation First Hours, Public Speaking, Youth Volunteer Certificate; Kaylee Lackey, Bird Mini PB, Toy & Hobby, Public Speaking and Jemario Owens.
The Happy Feet Club received a Gold Seal for Charter Certificate. Leaders recognized were Agata Kusmierczuk, 4 year pin & Adult Volunteer Certificate and Denisse Romero, 4 year pin and Adult Volunteer Certificate. Members: Shane Kendall, Bird Mini PB, Toy & Hobby; Wyatt Kendall, Animal Science PB, Toy & Hobby; Karol Kusmierczuk, president, Toy & Hobby; Kaya Kusmierczuk, Toy & Hobby; Andrea Sada-Romero; Denisse Sada-Romero, vice president, Toy & Hobby, Public Speaking; and Mariana Sada, Toy & Hobby, Public Speaking.
The Hippity Hop Club received a Green Emerald Seal for Charter Certificate and all members received a Rabbit Project Pin. Leader Rob Richardson, 2 year pin and Adult Volunteer Certificate. Club members: Kathryn Cortez; Marissa Cortez; CP Davis; Esteban Davis; Jack Davis; Jackie Davis; Alaina Hall; Evanna Hall, secretary; Whitley Highsmith; Charles Key, vice president; Mack Key; Yancey Key; Amber Lackey, president; Kaylee Lackey and Jemario Owens.
The Home Runners (Gold Seal for Charter Certificate). Leaders Deanne Flock, 2 Year Pin and Adult Volunteer Certificate and Kim Piercy, 6 Year Pin and Adult Volunteer Certificate. Members: Joel Bradshaw; Luke Bradshaw; Cliff Flock, Color Guard, Toy & Hobby, Public Speaking; Owen Flock, Color Guard, Animal Science PB, Toy & Hobby, Public Speaking; Carlie Piercy, secretary, Animal Science PB, Animal Science Cumulative Record Book, Public Speaking, Youth Volunteer Certificate; and 6. Chase Piercy, president.
Youth meeting monthly as group, but have not chartered: Hilda Surles Group; Bryanna McCreary; Aniya Surles; Morgan Surles; and Jordan Williams, Public Speaking.
Teen Court, Danelle Graham, (receive Youth Volunteer Certificate and Citizenship pins); Joel Bradshaw and Luke Bradshaw.
Charmae Kendall recognized the following in the Livestock Program: C.P. Davis- Judging; Owen Flock- Judging, Sheep; Heather Goodrich- Judging, Sheep, Youth Volunteer Certificate; Hannah Horne- Judging, Heifer; Shane Kendall- Sheep, Pig, Heifer; Wyatt Kendall- Judging, Sheep, Pig, Heifer; Amber Lackey- Judging; Chasen Matthis- Sheep Record Book, Sheep, Pig, Judging; Colbey Matthis- Sheep, Pig; Carlie Piercy- Judging, Heifer; Chase Piercy- Judging, Heifer and Denisse Sada- Romero- Judging.
Youth Leadership was recognized by Denise McIntyre. All in Teen Leadership received Teen Leadership Certificates, Leadership pins and jackets. Recognized were: Joel Bradshaw, Luke Bradshaw, Wyatt Kendall, John Langley, Kiera Mabry, David Cole Parker, Carlie Piercy, Zion Smith, Shanita Williams and Gerald Zuniga.
Senior club members recognized with an engraved photo album and included: Luke Bradshaw, Jackie Davis, Heather Goodrich and Chase Piercy.
4-H members recognized with Achievement Awards were presented a certificate and trophy. In the CloverBud group for ages 5-6, Kaylee Lackey; CloverBund 7-8, Kaya Kusmierczuk and Kendall Lanier; Green, Cliff Flock; Bronze, Owen Flock and Amber Lackey; Silver, Jackie Davis; and Gold Carlie Piercy.
Bradshaw recognized the Volunteers of the Year which received a Ribeyes Gift Certificate and Outstanding Volunteer certificate. Recognized were: Dustin Kendall, Scott Matthis and Jammie Piercy.
Club of the Year/Leaders of Year was presented to the Happy Feet Club.
The 4-H’ers of the Year were named. Junior 4-H’ers of the Year is Amber Lacky and Senior 4-H’er is Carlie Piercy.
Bradshaw commended each of the award winners and also expressed a special thank you to United Way of Sampson County and to all the many special volunteers, leaders, donors and sponsors that helped to my 4-H successful.
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