4-H ACTIVITY HONOR CORNER

 

Vince Lombardi
It is time for us to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever,
the one who recognizes the challenge and does something about it.

 

DISTRICT 4-H HORSE SHOW HELD
(Click above for complete results)

O'Neill was the site of the last 4-H district horse show for 2008.  Contestants from our area who earned trophies and medals were:

    Western Pleasure 15 & Up - Samantha Burtwistle, Blue & Medal
    Western Horsemanship 15 & Up - Samantha Burtwistle, Purple & Medal; Shelby Sanford, Purple & Medal
    Reining 15 & Up - Shelby Sanford, Purple & Medal
    Pole Bending 15 & Up - Kelsey Butterfield, Purple & Trophy; Katie Kaup, Purple & Medal; Amelia Shane, Purple & Medal; Katherine Davis,      Purple
    Pole Bending 12-14 - Shalee Lemmon, Purple & Trophy; Dayna Strand, Purple
    Barrel Racing 15 & Up - Amelia Shane, Purple & Trophy; Kelsey Butterfield, Purple & Medal; Katie Kaup, Purple & Medal; Katherine Davis, Purple.
    Barrel Racing 12-14 - Shalee Lemmon, Purple & Trophy; Jessica Pease, Purple & Medal

(Results provided by the Holt County Independent)

 

REGIONAL PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST HELD

     Several area 4-Hers received awards at the Northeast Regional 4-H Public Speaking Contest held on May 23, 2008, at the Lifelong Learning Center, Norfolk, Nebraska.  Sixty-six youth from 21 counties throughout the state competed in their respective age division in the 2008 Regional 4-H Speech competition. Additionally, Forty-two contestants from 14 counties from the northeast district competed in their respective age division in the 2008 Regional 4-H Public Service Announcement (PSA) competition. Contestants earn the opportunity to participate in regional competition by winning their age division at the county level. Contestants may compete in one or both categories.  In the Junior division (11 years of age and younger), Intermediate division (12 to 13 years of age), and Senior division (14 to 19 years of age), speakers are required to prepare an original speech incorporating some aspect of 4-H in the content.  The second category included 4-H members from those age groups recording a 60-second PSA promoting 4-H.

    Contestants were awarded purple, blue, or red awards in recognition of their accomplishments in speech or PSA; in addition, the top four individuals in each division received medals. The four winners of the senior division speech and PSA competition are given the opportunity to compete for awards at the State 4-H Public Speaking Contest to be held in Lincoln on August 30, 2008, during the Nebraska State Fair.  All youth competing in state competition and staying for awards will receive special awards.  The top two speech and PSA winners in State 4-H Public Speaking Contest receive scholarships.  Seniors selected to advance to state competition from the Northeast Regional Competition in the Speech category are: Kristen Reiman, Butte, Boyd County with her speech titled “Wearing 4-H Glasses;” Kaylee Faltys, Tekamah, Burt County with her speech “Thank Goodness for 4-H;” Dillon Oschner, Sutton, Clay County with his speech “Discover 4-H, Discover You!” and Shalee Lemmon, Chambers, Holt County, with her speech “The 4-H Zone.”  Seniors selected to advance to state competition from the Northeast Regional Competition in the PSA category are:  Ashley Petersen, West Point, Cuming County; Shalee Lemmon, Chambers, Holt County, Jeremy Grant, Meadow Grove, Madison County; and Emily Wemhoff, Creston, Platte County.

Junior Public Speaking Results:

Purple Ribbon Junior Division Winners

Alexis Arens, Hartington, Cedar County
Kennedy Morgan, Walthill, Cuming County
Regan Wiese, Lindsay, Platte County
Wyatt Hennig,  Rosalie, Thurston County
Marissa Kegley, Kearney, Buffalo County
Alexandra Linder, Oakland, Cuming County
Kathryn O'Keefe, Allen, Dixon County
Brittany Hanzlik, Stuart, Holt County
Paige Mitchell, Atkinson, Holt County
Linzie Van Horn, Page, Holt County
Noah Spagnotti, Cedar Rapids, Nance County
Elizabeth Kurtenbach,   Lindsay, Platte County
Colton Robinette, Hoskins, Stanton County
Sylvia Jager, Wayne, Wayne County 

Intermediate Public Speaking

Top 4 Winners :  Joslyn Roth, Spencer; Amanda Hartman, Schuyler; Andrea Lemmer, Atkinson; and Briley Wiese, Lindsay

 Purple Ribbon Intermediate Division Winners

Joslynn Roth, Spencer, Boyd County
Amanda Hartman, Schuyler, Colfax County
Andrea Lemmer, Atkinson, Holt County
Briley Wiese, Lindsay, Platte County
Madelyne Jensen, Tekamah, Burt County
Heidi Miller, Lyons, Burt County
Christine Beune, Dodge, Cuming County
Kaylie Franzluebbers, West Point, Cuming County
Austin Hallsted, Pender, Cuming County
Leanne DeKay , Chambers, Holt County
CaLee Thomsen, Wolbach, Howard County
Jessica Marisch, Norfolk, Madison County
Chrisinda Scheideler, Scotia, Valley County
Sawyer Jager, Wayne, Wayne County
 

Senior Public Speaking 

These 4-H members will represent the Northeast District in state competition:

 Top 4 Winners:   Dillon Oshsner, Clay County; Shalee Lemmon, Holt County; Kaylee Faltys, Burt County;  Kristen Reiman, Boyd County                                                              

Purple Ribbon Senior Division Winners

Kristen Reiman, Butte, Boyd County
Kaylee Faltys, Tekamah, Burt County
Dillon Ochsner, Sutton, Clay County
Shalee Lemmon, Chambers, Holt County
Erinn Baker, Ord, Valley County
Kristen Grant, Meadow Grove, Madison County
Emma Lammers, Hartington, Cedar County
Molly Hermelbracht, Rosalie,    Thurston County

PSA Division:

Junior PSA Top 4 Junior PSA Winners:  Jessica Fleischman, Herman, Burt County; Levi Koenig, Ewing, Holt County; Paige Mitchell, Atkinson, Holt County; Nolan Reiman, Butte, Boyd County

 Purple Ribbon Junior PSA Winners

Jessica Fleischman, Herman, Burt County
Katheryn Gregerson, Herman, Burt County
Levi Koenig, Rosalie, Thurston County
Alexandra Linder, Oakland, Cuming County
Paige Mitchell, Atkinson, Holt County
Nolan Reiman, Butte, Boyd County
Stephanie Sorensen, Plainview, Pierce County

Intermediate PSA

Top 4 Intermediate PSA Winners: Andrea Lemmer, Atkinson, Holt County; Nicholas Petersen, West Point, Cuming County; Brittany Reiman, Butte, Boyd County; Joslynn Roth, Spencer, Boyd County

 Purple Ribbon Intermediate PSA Winners

Madelyne Jensen, Tekamah, Burt County
Andrea Lemmer, Atkinson, Holt County
Nicholas Petersen, West Point, Cuming County
Brittany Reiman, Butte, Boyd County
Joslynn Roth, Spencer, Boyd County

Senior PSA

These 4-H members will represent the Northeast District in state competition
Top 4 Senior PSA Winners:  Jeremy Grant, Meadow Grove, Madison County; Shalee Lemmon, Chambers, Holt County; Ashley Petersen, West Point, Cuming County; Emily Wemhoff, Creston, Platte County

 Purple Ribbon Senior PSA Winners

Justine Bucy, Tekamah, Burt County
Jeremy Grant, Meadow Grove, Madison County
Kristen Grant, Meadow Grove, Madison County
Shalee Lemmon, Chambers, Holt County
Ashley Petersen, West Point, Cuming County
Laura Rub, Norfolk, Madison County
Emily Wemhoff, Creston, Platte County
 

Public speaking is a communication skill with many career possibilities. Present 4-H members and 4-H Alumni have identified communication skills as some of the most important life skills gained through their 4-H experience.  The Nebraska State 4-H communications program is sponsored by the Nebraska Rural Radio Network, which includes KRVN, KNEB, and KTIC.  The Northeast Regional contest is conducted by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension 4-H with support from Northeast Community College.

 

KOENIG BROTHERS COMPETE AT PITZER HORSE JUDGING CONTEST

    Levi & Ryan Koenig of Ewing each received a purple ribbon at the annual horse judging competition held at the Pitzer Ranch by Ericson, Nebraska.  Congratulations to you both!!!

 

GOOSE LAKE 4-H CLUB RECEIVES 2008 GOVERNOR'S AGRICULTURAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

    The Goose Lake 4-H Club, led by Barb Hubel of Chambers, has been selected for the NE 4-H Foundation's 2008 Governor's Agricultural Excellence Award, sponsored by Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA).  The award will be presented at the PASE/Life Challenge event on Monday, June 30, 2008.  Representatives from NIFA and Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy have been invited to present the $500 checks to the club.  The Governor’s Agricultural Excellence Awards recognize 4-H clubs for the work of the individuals in the club and the community service work of the entire club. Twenty five clubs have been recognized each year since 1997. Recognition is in the form of $500 checks issued to the club's treasury to be used as described in the award application form completed by the club.  The Goose Lake Club will be using the funds to aid the Chambers Park Improvement Committee.

CONGRATULATIONS!

For more information on the Governor's Ag Excellence Awards and how you can apply, CLICK HERE!

 

Stefan Franssen Receives Steve Schiffern Memorial 4-H Scholarship

     The goal of 4-H has always been youth education.  Holt County 4-H takes youth education to the next level by offering the annual Steve Schiffern Memorial 4-H Scholarship in the amount of $500.  All 2008 Holt County graduating high school seniors, currently enrolled in 4-H, and planning to attend an institution of higher learning, were eligible to apply.  Seniors were invited to submit an essay to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in Holt County describing their 4-H experiences and future plans.  Selecting the scholarship recipient was a difficult decision, as so many deserving 4-Hers applied.  One scholarship committee member stated, “It was fascinating to read each young person’s personal journey in  4-H and how 4-H has met the needs and interests of each individual member.”
    After a great deal of deliberation, Stefan Franssen, son of Randy Franssen and Tracy DeLaet, was selected as the 2008 recipient of the Steve Schiffern Memorial 4-H Scholarship.  Stefan submitted an essay documenting a wide variety of 4-H projects and activities; including wildlife projects, breeding and market sheep, foods and nutrition, rabbit, and animal science.  He has participated in a rabbit handling workshop, Bake and Take, many community service activities including trash pickup and cleanup at the fairgrounds, club workshops and demonstrations, and of course, the Holt County and State Fair.  Stefan also increased his 4-H Career Portfolio by earning county and state recognition participating in the 4-H record book program.  Stefan is a senior at Chambers Public School.  Although, at the time this scholarship application was submitted Stefan hadn’t made a decision as to which college to attend, these 4-H experiences have helped him make the choice to seek a degree in Animal Science or Range Management.  The Holt County 4-H Awards and Scholarship Committee is proud of Stefan and all the graduating Holt County seniors and wishes them good luck in their future endeavors.
    The Steve Schiffern Memorial 4-H Scholarship is funded through the Steve Schiffern Memorial Poker Run held from Atkinson in June.  The poker run supports organizations and activities Steve participated in.  It also funded a West Holt FFA scholarship and grants to students attending power lifting competitions.

 

HOLT COUNTY 4-H’ERS SHINE AT PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST

 The Holt County 4-H Public Speaking Contest was held on Sunday, April 13th at the Annex in O’Neill after being postponed for a late season snow storm.  Eighteen aspiring orators gave speeches and six future broadcasters competed in the Public Service Announcement competition.

There was a new non-competitive division this year with Cloverkids, ages 6-7, reciting a poem or story.  Leighton Malady, Jake Lemmon, Jace Stagemeyer, Andy Koenig, and Cole Liable entertained and amazed the crowd with their talent.  Each received a certificate for a free ice cream cone donated by McDonalds in O’Neill along with a “special award” ribbon.

In the Novice Speech Division, Emma Liable received championship honors and Travis Halsey was reserve champion, both receiving purple ribbons.  Trophy was sponsored by Great Western Bank of Atkinson/O’Neill. 

The Junior Division presented seven very talented speakers with Brittany Hanzlik being named the champion and Paige Mitchell reserve champion honors.  Both received purple ribbons.  Other placings were:  Linzie Van Horn, purple; Hanna Cronk, purple; Miles Stagemeyer, blue; Levi Koenig, blue; and Ryan Koenig, blue.  Trophy was sponsored by Beth Tielke of O’Neill.

In the Intermediate Division Speech, Andrea Lemmer was pronounced the champion and LeAnne DeKay was named the reserve champion with both receiving purple ribbons.  Trophy was sponsored by The Atkinson Graphic.

In the Senior Division Speech, Shalee Lemmon received a purple ribbon and championship honors.  Erin Van Horn was reserve champion and also received a purple.  Trophy was sponsored by KBRX Radio in O’Neill.

The Public Service Announcement placings were:  Junior Division – Paige Mitchell, purple and Champion; Travis Halsey, purple and Reserve; Levi Koenig, blue; and Ryan Koenig, blue.  Trophy was sponsored by Jim & Jean Estill of Amelia.

Intermediate Division – Andrea Lemmer, blue and Champion.  Trophy was sponsored by Kevin & Sharlene DeKay and family of Chambers.

Senior Division - Shalee Lemmon, purple and Champion.  Trophy was sponsored by KBRX Radio in O’Neill.

Patrick, Peyten, and Prescott Dillon presented a group PSA and received a blue ribbon for their efforts.

Representing Holt County at the Regional 4-H Public Speaking contest will be: Speech Contest – Brittany Hanzlik, Paige Mitchell, Linzie Van Horn, Andrea Lemmer, Leanne DeKay, Shalee Lemmon, and Erin Van Horn.  Public Service Announcement Contest – Paige Mitchell, Travis Halsey, Levi Koenig, Andrea Lemmer, and Shalee Lemmon.  Holt County will be well represented with these talented 4-H’ers competing.

Special thanks go to KGRD for taping the public service announcements, Angie Vonheeder with KBRB radio in Ainsworth for judging the PSA competition and Janelle Wallinger with West Holt Public Schools for judging the speech division.  The Holt County 4-H Council greatly appreciates all the judges, sponsors, and friends of our program.

 

Holt County 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl Team Reigns as 2008 State Champion

        Holt County recently brought home a State Championship title from the State 4-H Horse  Stampede, held at the University of Nebraska Animal Science Complex in Lincoln.  The 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl Team was undefeated, as they worked their way through the many matches of the double-elimination brackets, with 30 teams from across Nebraska entered.

        Members of the Championship Team included Amelia Shane from Atkinson, daughter of Kirk and Barb Shane, Shelby Sanford of O’Neill, daughter of Bryan and Barb Sanford, and Lee and Eric Woita of Atkinson, sons of Gary and Jan Woita.  Jan Woita served as coach of the team, along with help from several parents.  This team is now eligible to represent Nebraska at the National Contest in Denver, Colorado in January.

        A second team from Holt County also did well, but ran into some tough competition early in the contest, so received a red ribbon.  This team consisted of Katherine Davis from Atkinson, Monica Vogel from Stuart, Hilary Kasperbauer from Bartlett, and Dana Slaymaker from Atkinson.
       
        In the Public Speaking Contest, Andrea Lemmer from Atkinson received a purple ribbon in the Junior Division with her speech “Horse Tails”.  Katherine Davis from Atkinson received a red ribbon in the Senior Division with her speech entitled “I Told You So”.        

HOLT COUNTY 2007 4-H ACHIEVEMENT NIGHT

            Holt County’s 2007 4-H Achievement Night was held Saturday, October 27 at the KC Hall in Atkinson. The theme for the evening was “Autumn Reflections” beginning with a potluck supper at 6:00 P.M. 
    Shalee Lemmon and Jackie Lemmer were the MC’s for the evening in the absence of youth 4-H council members Katie Kaup and Lee Woita.
     Jessica Thiele, Atkinson performed 2 selections on her violin. She was the Holt County Talent Contest winner.
    Membership pins were presented to 1, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 11 year members. Leadership pins were presented to 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 year leaders. Coni Johnson was recognized as a 25 year club leader.

            The record book applicants receiving awards were:
Novice Division : Champion – Ryan  Koenig, Ewing, Reserve – Hanna Cronk, Page and Miles Stagemeyer, Page.
2nd  and 3rd year – Champion – Paige Mitchell, Atkinson, Reserve – Tyler Coburn, O’Neill, Amanda Pischel, O’Neill, Brook Jarman, Stuart and Levi Koenig, Ewing.
4th, 5th and 6th  year – Champion – Andrea Lemmer, Atkinson, Reserve – Schylar Franssen, Amelia.

Camp Scholarship recipients: $50 each were Eric Woita and Lee Woita. $100 each were:Lindy Woita, Patrick Dillon, Peyton Dillon, Prescott Dillon and Tyler Coburn

            Gene Kelly, President of the Holt County 4-H Foundation, presented awards to members participating in the contest to gain new members for the Foundation. The 4-H Club attaining the most new members was Horses Unlimited, $100, 4-H’ers attaining the most new members for the Foundation was a tie between Wyatt Lindbloom and Kassidy Jelinek, each received a $50 bill. Wyatt also received another $50 bill for gaining the largest amount of membership dollars.
    Donors for awards and scholarships were as follows: Frontier Mills, Yankton, SD, O’Neill Super Foods, DeKalb/Asgrow Dealer Steve Lind, Atkinson Family Dentistry by Marche Schulte and O’Neill Family Dentistry by Jerry Brockman

            Other awards presented were:
Friend of 4-H – Keith and Hazel Halsey Family, Chambers

Outstanding 4-H Alumni – Gary Halsey, Chambers

Heart of 4-H Award – Ann Mann, O’Neill

Outstanding 4-H’er – Jason Mann, O’Neill

County Career Portfolio for Horse – Jackie Lemmer, Atkinson.
            The evening concluded with a 4-H Chinese Auction and a Holt County 4-H Council Fund raising auction. Richard Shrunk served as auctioneer.

 

HOLT COUNTY 4-H FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES TOP SALES AWARDS

 

The Holt County 4-H Foundation announced their Top Salesmen Awards at the annual 4-H Achievement Night held October 27th at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Atkinson.  The winners were picked after a month long membership drive which garnered $2100 for the Foundation.  Receiving monetary awards were: Cassidy Jelinek, Atkinson, for Top Individual Sales, $50;  James Wyatt Lindbloom, Stuart, for Over All Top Salesman, $100; and the Horses Unlimited 4-H Club with leader Jan Woita receiving $100 for Top Club Sales.  All 4-H clubs and members in Holt County were encouraged to participate in the membership drive. All money received will go into a grant fund in which individuals and clubs can apply for to expand their educational opportunities and encourage community service in our area.  The Foundation wishes to thank everyone who participated and donated to this worthy cause.

 

CONGRATULATIONS AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!