More than 225 Butler County 4-H volunteers, members, and their guests were on hand for the annual Achievement and Recognition Banquet held recently at Butler County Community College.

This program recognizes leaders and members for their contributions to 4-H programs and their accomplishments for the past program year.

Volunteers are a vital part of the 4-H program. Their efforts make it possible for the Cooperative Extension youth program to reach large numbers of youth on a regular basis.

A number of dedicated club leaders were recognized for their years of service to the 4-H program.

Welcomed as first-year leaders were Butler area residents Steve Allaman, Mary Ann Dandoy, Debra Gaus, Shawna McKnight, and Kayla Protzman. Also welcomed as a first-year volunteer was Carrie Plecher of West Sunbury.

Recognized for five years of service were: Beth Croll of Slippery Rock, Kati Colteryahn of Prospect, Danielle Helch and Debra Switzer of Chicora, and Ron Schwartz of Saxonburg.

Ten years of service were celebrated by Tina Bryner and Paul Merten Jr., both of Evans City.

David Campbell of Cabot was honored for 15 years as a 4-H leader.

Receiving an award for 30 years of service were Peggy Herold of Butler and Barbara Rader of Connoquenessing.

Shirley Dunn of Chicora was honored for completion of 40 years of volunteer leadership.

Sankey's Feed Mill of Volant was recognized as the Butler County Friend of 4-H. Presented annually to a member of the community, this award recognizes the support provided to the 4-H program by exceptional individuals and businesses.

In addition, a number of 4-H club members were recognized for their accomplishments in the 2007 4-H program.

Deanna Rippey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Rippey of Butler, was recognized as Outstanding Junior 4-H member for Butler County.

Heather Cox, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Cox of Evans City, was honored as the Outstanding Intermediate 4-H member.

Outstanding Senior 4-H member recognition went to Krystal Foertsch, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Foertsch of Butler.

Participants in various regional, state, and national activities such as poster contests, State 4-H Achievement Days, and National 4-H Congress were recognized for their efforts.

Thirty-one 4-H club members received awards for outstanding project work in 2007. By category, members recognized for achievements and exceptional project book completion were:

Horse — Alicia Sacco, Butler and Amanda Dillaman, Slippery Rock

Dairy — Robin Peters, Connoquenessing; Cody Stephenson and Cara Stephenson, Chicora

Beef — Paul Drake and Stephen Drake of Slippery Rock; Krystal Foertsch, Butler;

Sheep — Erica Schultheis, Renfrew and Eric Drake of Slippery Rock.By category, the following members were also recognized:

Swine — Amy Metrick, Butler and Debbie Drake, Slippery Rock

Rabbits — Rachel McGinley, Butler; Elizabeth Williamson, Butler; Joey Cain, Chicora

Goats — Stacy Arner and Joshua Arner, Valencia; Amanda Mabold, West Sunbury

Other animal science — Robert Vaerewyck, Tarentum, and Laura Metrick, Butler

Science and technology — Richard Vaerewyck, Tarentum

Leisure education — Sami Hornyak, Valencia; Brittany Foertsch, Butler; Ashley Kreutz, Slippery Rock

Textile science — Deanna Rippey, Butler; Ashley Cavey, Cranberry Township; Victoria Cox, Evans City

Foods — Sarah Dunlap, Saxonburg, and Sandy Hosack, Slippery Rock

Consumer science and expressive arts — Hannah Dunlap, Saxonburg, and Laura Gundalch, Saxonburg.In addition to Outstanding Project Awards, seven members were recognized for the quality of their 4-H project book completion in agricultural production.Recognized were Cara Stephenson, dairy; Stephen Drake, beef; Eric Drake, sheep; Debbie Drake, swine; Amanda Dillaman, horse production; Stacey Arner, small animal; and Richard Vaerewyck, small animal.Awards for project book completion in agricultural project areas are sponsored by AgChoice Farm Credit, ACA.Evidence of life skill development was a primary criteria for 4-H awards sponsored by the Pomona Grange.Selected for recognition by 4-H project category were: Amanda Dillaman, horse; Cara Stephenson, dairy; Sara Mabold, dairy goats; Andrew Cranmer of Butler, beef; Debbie Drake, sheep; Brittany Foertsch, swine; Robin Peters, rabbits; and Laura Metrick, other animal science.Also recognized were Richard Vaerewyck, science and technology; Ashley Kreutz, leisure education; Victoria Cox, textile science; Sandy Hosack, foods and nutrition; and Hannah Dunlap, consumer science and expressive arts.Five 4-H horse project members were recognized for completion of Level 1, Level 2, and Level 4 Horsemanship Skills. The Horsemanship Skills program challenges 4-H members to work with their horse to accomplish specific skills that become increasingly difficult with each level.Completing Level 1 ground handling skills was Shelby Miller of Sewickley.Amanda Dillaman, Joshua Dillaman of Slippery Rock, and Hillary Reeb of Zelienople completed Level 1 handling and riding skills.Elizabeth Larson of Harmony was recognized for completion of Level 2 skills.Recognized for completing Level 4 skills, the most advanced level, was Jason Zang of Evans City.The 4-H Achievement and Recognition Banquet was planned and conducted by the Butler County 4-H Development Committee in cooperation with the Butler County Extension staff.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, Extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Home complex.