More than 250 Butler County 4-H volunteers, members and guests were on hand for the annual Achievement and Recognition Banquet held recently at the 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 a large number of youths 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 Ashley Foertsch, Jeff Frazier, Nadine Grabe and Michelle Henry. Also welcomed as first year volunteers were Amanda Dillaman of Slippery Rock and Debbie Reeb of Zelienople.

Sallie Rippey of Butler was recognized for five years of volunteer service.

Ten years of service were celebrated by Harold Dunn, Janice Kennedy and Ken Metrick, all Butler area residents; Jackie Carson of Evans City; Jim Govan of Valencia, Patti Turner of Renfrew; and Scott Turner of Renfrew.

Karen Protzman of Butler was honored for 15 years as a 4-H leader.

Receiving awards for 20 years of service were Bonnie DeHart of Evans City and Glenda Coughenour of Butler. Ina Mikalauskas of Evans City was honored for completion of 40 years of volunteer leadership.

Ed “Spinner” Green 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 2010 4-H program.

Jacob Kennedy, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kennedy of Valencia, was recognized as Outstanding Junior 4-H member for Butler County.

Robert Vaerewyck, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Vaerewyck of Tarentum, was honored as the Outstanding Intermediate 4-H member.

Outstanding Senior 4-H member recognition went to Cody Stephenson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stephenson of Chicora.

Twenty-eight 4-H club members received awards for outstanding project work in 2010. By category, members recognized for achievements and exceptional project book completion were:

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Horse — Madelyn McEachin of West Sunbury; Rachael Mogielski of New Brighton; and Sarah Cashdollar of Mars•

Dairy — Jacob Kennedy of Valencia; Trisha Covert of Chicora; and Clayton West of Slippery Rock•

Dairy Goat — Luke McEachin of West Sunbury; and Stacy Arner of Valencia•

Beef — Makayla King of Karns City; Brock King of Karns City; and Courtney Ciccarelli of Saxonburg•

Sheep — Ben Drake of Slippery Rock; Rebecca Frazier of Butler; and Erica Schultheis of RenfrewBy category, the following members were also recognized:•

Swine — Madilynn Kerr of Harmony; Nataleigh Kerr of Harmony; and Laura Metrick of Butler•

Rabbits — Peter McGlashan of Evans City•

Other Animal Science — Elizabeth Barclay of Saxonburg; and Troy Whitmire of Butler•

Foods — Aaron Drake of Slippery Rock; and Hannah Dunlap of Saxonburg•

Leisure Education — Dana McCurdy of Butler; and Brittany Foertsch of Butler•

Textile Science — Rachel McGinley of Butler; and Sarah Dunlap of Saxonburg•

Environmental & Earth Science — Anna Judd of Cabot•

Consumer Science and Expressive Arts — Deanna Rippey of ButlerIn addition to Outstanding Project Awards, eight members were recognized for the quality of their 4-H project book completion in agricultural production.Awards for project book completion in agricultural project areas are sponsored by AgChoice Farm Credit, ACA. Recognized were:•

Horse — Kellie Grabe of Butler•

Dairy — Anna Flick of Fenelton•

Beef — Stephen Drake of Slippery Rock•

Sheep — Erica Schultheis•

Swine — Paul Drake of Slippery Rock•

Dairy Goat — Stacy Arner•

Poultry — Kara Whitmire of Butler•

Rabbits — Rachel McGinleyEvidence 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:•

Horse — Sarah Cashdollar•

Dairy — Jacob Kennedy

Dairy Goats — Melinda Bryner of Evans City•

Beef — Stephen Drake•

Sheep — Sara Lang of Harrisville•

Swine — Anna Flick•

Rabbits — Rachel McGinley•

Other Animal Science —Troy Whitmire•

Foods — Hannah Dunlap•

Textile Science — Dana McCurdy•

Leisure Education — Brittany Foertsch•

Environmental & Earth Science — Anna Judd•

Science & Technology — Peter McGlashan•

Consumer Science and Expressive Arts — Deanna RippeyThirty-six 4-H horse project members completed Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 Horsemanship Skills in 2010.The Horsemanship Skills program challenges 4-H members to work with their horse to accomplish specific skills that become increasingly difficult with each level.4-H members attending the Achievement Banquet were recognized for their accomplishments.Completing Level 1 were Taylor Boscia of West Sunbury; Sarah Cashdollar; Josh Dillaman of Slippery Rock; Laurel Johnson of Chicora; Chelsea Mager of Butler; Jamie Mager of Butler; Dakota Roy of Butler; Shane Sorg of Saxonburg; Miranda Stoner of Butler; Sarah Stovar of Butler; Shannon Stovar of Butler; and Erin Turner of Renfrew.Dakota Roy was recognized for completion of Level 2 skills.Josh Dillaman and Erin Turner were recognized for completion of Level 3 skills.Erin Turner was also recognized for completing Level 4 skills, the most advanced level of the Horsemanship Skills program.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 Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.