BROOKINGS – Brookings County 4-H members celebrated a successful 2017-2018 4-H year with the annual 4-H Recognition Event at the Brookings County Resource Center Nov. 13. The Recognition Event is an opportunity to reflect on all of the accomplishments during the past 4-H year; additionally, it is a time to recognize 4-H members, adult leaders, parents and 4-H supporters for their outstanding achievement, support, and volunteer efforts throughout the year.

4-H members were selected for awards based on their accomplishments and growth, which they recorded in their 4-H journal. These are annual reports of a member’s 4-H activities, project reports, financial reports for livestock, annual goals and successes, photos and newspaper clippings.

Through their journals, 4-H members are learning many life skills, such as: the value of record keeping, critical decision making and planning for their future in the form of journaling which will ultimately be reflected in a career resume and job opportunities. The journals also offer an opportunity for the 4-H member to reflect on the progress of their goals, and learn from mistakes they have made. This method teaches members about personal responsibility, and the role they play in their own successes.

This is a partial list of winners. The remainder of the list will be published at a later date.

Special Foods Awards: 

1st Year:

Zoey Ford, Volga; Lydian Gilkerson, Brookings; Owen Pierce, Bruce; Maddisyn Thompson, Elkton; Quinn Ulvestad, Brookings; Aubrey Underwood; Brookings

2nd Year:

Justin Granum, Brookings; Karianne Kessler, Aurora; Emma Pierce, Bruce; Emily Robbins, Aurora; Trevor Shultz, Bruce

3rd Year:

Riley Rasmussen, Elkton

4th Year:

Hannah Engelmann, Volga; Elizabeth Shultz, Bruce; Gabriel Stern, Bruce

5th Year:

Catherine Klein, White; Brinleigh Mack, Brookings; Merick Olson, Volga; Lane Thompson, Elkton

6th Year:

Brayton Mack, Brookings; Cherish Stern, Bruce

Public Presentations Awards: 

Zoey Ford, Volga; Harmony Gilkerson, Brookings; Lydian Gilkerson, Brookings; Melody Gilkerson, Brookings; Gayle Foster, Brookings; Madeline Oftedahl, Toronto; David Pickard, Brookings; Elizabeth Shultz, Bruce; Preston Vander Wal, Volga; Lynn Foster, Brookings; Paige Foster, Brookings; Heidi Merriman, Brookings; Easton Overbo, Volga; Kyan Overbo, Volga; Riley Rasmussen, Elkton; Tyler Rasmussen, Elkton; Emily Robbins, Aurora; Cherish Stern, Bruce; Gabriel Stern, Bruce

Beef Promotion Awards: 

Hannah Engelmann, Volga; Zoey Ford, Volga; Justin Granum, Brookings; Karianne Kessler, Aurora; 

Brayton Mack, Brookings; Riley Rasmussen, Elkton; Tyler Rasmussen, Elkton; Emily Robbins, Aurora; Cherish Stern, Bruce; Gabriel Stern, Bruce; Lane Thompson, Elkton

Dairy Promotion Awards: 

Lydian Gilkerson, Brookings

Beginner Consumer Decision Making Judging:

David Pickard, Brookings; Kassandra Pickard, Brookings; Owen Pierce, Bruce; Grace VanderWal, Volga; Quinn Ulvestad, Brookings; Maddisyn Thompson, Elkton; Raymond Klein, White

Junior Consumer Decision Making Judging: 

Emma Pierce, Bruce; Paige Foster, Brookings; Kaylyn Chapman, White; Brinleigh Mack, Brookings; Elizabeth Shultz, Bruce; Gabriel Stern, Bruce; Catherine Klein, White

Senior Consumer Decision Making Judging: 

Lynn Foster, Brookings; Sydney Grendler, Brookings; Brayton Mack, Brookings; Lane Thompson, Elkton; Alicia Vander Wal, Volga; Lindsey Vander Wal, Bruce

Beginner Horticulture Judging: 

Owen Pierce, Bruce; Maddisyn Thompson, Elkton

Junior Horticulture Judging:

Emma Pierce, Bruce; Emily Robbins, Aurora; Elizabeth Shultz, Bruce; Gabriel Stern, Bruce

Senior Horticulture Judging: 

Cherish Stern, Bruce; Lane Thompson, Elkton

Junior Livestock Judging:  

Elizabeth Shultz, Bruce; Drew Pederson, Sherman/Bruce

Senior Livestock Judging:  

Emily Nold, Brookings; Lane Vander Wal, Volga; Raesa Zelinsky, Brookings

Junior Dairy Judging:  

Nolan Triebwasser, Volga

Senior Dairy Judging:  

Zachary Post, Volga; Alicia Vander Wal, Volga; Sydney Triebwasser, Volga