The Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program held its annual Fall 4-H Family Awards Picnic September 18, 2016 on the 4-H fairgrounds. The picnic, provided by the Cape May County 4-H Foundation, Inc., celebrated 4-H youth members’ and adult volunteers’ accomplishments over the last year.
Karen Dickenson, Advertising Manager for the Cape May County Herald Newspaper, opened the event by presenting a check for $1,000 to 4-H Foundation President Ron Day. The Herald has produced an annual 4-H fair special section in their paper since 1988 and has always made a generous donation back to 4-H from advertising proceeds.
Among 4-H youth who were honored Sunday were the Cloverbuds who are “moving up” to 4th grade and to regular 4-H membership. These 3rd graders included Rhiannon Henry, Edward Hoover, Sydnie Hunter, Ava Keslo, Chloe Pinkerton, Autumn Richards and Asher Sindoni.
The following regular 4-H members who earned prestigious county medals this year included Sam Barry, 2nd Year Swine and Personal Development; Alexa DiPalantino, Horse, Samantha Downes, Achievement; Thomas Germanio, Gardening and Horticulture; Maysen Gibboni, Horse; Trinity Hamann, 4th Year Rabbit; Andrew Heim, Horse; Kristin Hughes, 5th Year Community Service; Kelly Hunter, 2nd Year Personal Development; Mina LaFrance, Personal Development; Victoria Matt, 2nd Year Achievement; Victoria McCann, Personal Development; Lauren Miller, 2nd Year Personal Development; Kate Pantelione, Horse; Hailey Rosenberger, Personal Development; Colby Schalek, 3rd Year Personal Development; Nick Schalek, Leadership; Erin Schalick, Community Service; Amanda Schuler, 4th Year Rabbit; Sarah Schuler, 3rd Year Personal Development, Kelly Suter, Leadership; Caitlyn Tomlin, Personal Development and Tessa Wozunk, Goat.
Adult volunteers make contributions of their time and expertise throughout the year by leading 4-H clubs, judging contests, caring for the 4-H fairgrounds, running the 4-H Fair and much more. The following club leaders were acknowledged with special pins and certificates this year for having served either one, five, ten, 15 or 20 years. First year recipients were Jessica and Ben Anaya, Jen DeGenova, Patty Pantelione and Mark Robbins. Fifth-year honorees included Marlene Conover, Louise Sugar and Abby Sykes. Kathy Elwell and Beth Suter earned their tenth year award, and Betsy Barry received her 20th year of service award.
2016 Outstanding 4-H Members Annabella Halbruner, Tessa Wozunk and Mina LaFrance served as emcees for the special event. 4-H Program Coordinator Linda Horner expresses pride in all county 4-H youth members and volunteers. “Without the dedication of our adult volunteers, the 4-H program would not be possible. Because of their contributions to the program, 82 youth received at least one award this year. We are especially grateful to our 4-H Foundation under the leadership of President Ron Day for providing this day of celebration for us each year.”
Horner also thanked the 4-H program’s community partners, including Fletcher’s Corner, Cape Assist, Ocean Academy and Cape May County High School, Cape Christian Academy and NJ Audubon’s Nature Center of Cape May.
Photo: Karen Dickenson, Advertising Manager for the Cape May County Herald Newspaper, presented a check for $1,000 to 4-H Foundation President Ron Day at the 4-H program’s Family Awards Picnic last Sunday. The Herald has produced an annual 4-H fair special section in their paper since 1988 and has always made a generous donation back to 4-H from advertising proceeds.
The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth grades K – 13 on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, natural origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
Contact: Linda Horner, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County
Telephone: 465-5115 ext. 605