With another year of 4-H experience under their belts, the San Saba County 4-H held their annual 4-H Awards Banquet to honor the 4-H’ers achievements from the past year. The banquet was held in the San Saba Civic Center Tuesday, September 1st. A country meal of brisket, watermelon, potato salad, beans, and dessert was served prior to the award ceremony. As at all American ceremonies, the National Anthem was played at the opening of the banquet. Riana Bass sang the Star Spangled Banner this year and blew away the crowd. I know many people would stand behind me when I say, “This girl is our future American Idol!”

The first awards from the banquet went out to 4-H’ers who participated in the 4-H Recordbook Program. Each year 4-H members learn to improve their record keeping skills by participating in the 4-H Recordbook Program. A Recordbook is a scrapbook of your 4-H activities, projects, and events. It is very helpful in filling out scholarship applications and really helps you see what you have accomplished. 4-hers who participated this year are: Ron Gerhart- Shooting Sports, Abby Dellis- Horse, Sara Hedley- Shooting Sports, Jennifer Watkins- Clothing, Jordan Gossett- Food & Nutrition, and Melanie Hedley- Shooting Sports.

Eleven 4-H’ers participated in the San Saba County 4-H Clothing Fun Day and ten at the 4-H Sewing Camp. These 4-H’ers gained knowledge about natural fibers and learned skills in buying clothes and accessories, clothing construction, doing laundry, and wardrobe planning. San Saba County had five participants in the County Fashion Show. Those beautiful 4-H models included: Jennifer Watkins, Sara Watkins, Elizabeth Bryant, Erin Ratliff, Marissa Coffman, and Emily Esquivel. San Saba County also had eight participants attend the District 7 Fashion Show held in San Angelo. Those who attended were: Blue Ribbon winner Elizabeth Bryant- Intermediate Buying and Marissa Coffman- Intermediate Dress. Participating in the Non Apparel Division at District Fashion Show was: Marissa Coffman, Jordan Gossett, Mykah McKinnerney, Abby Dellis, Emily Esquivel, Elizabeth Bryant, Jennifer Watkins, and Sara Watkins.

San Saba County 4-H’ers who participated at 4-H Food Fun Day learned about Calcium and the New Food Guide Pyramid, wise shopping practices and learned to make several dishes. These 4-H members got to show off their cooking talents and nutrition knowledge at the San Saba County Food Show. These masterful cooks were: Elizabeth Bryant, Emilee Rogers, Mykah McKinnerney, Melanie Hedley, Riana Bass, Jordan Gossett, Breann Hellner, Maggie Alexander, Marissa Coffman, and Clover Kid Jacey Gosset. Several 4-H’ers advanced to next level of competition, the District Food Show, in Abilene. Those participating were: Melanie Hedley, Marissa Coffman, Elizabeth Bryant, Maggie Alexander, and Emilee Rogers.

Share the Fun is a popular contest held at District 4-H Round-Up in San Angelo. At this contest the youth are able to present their skills in comedian, poet, and musical or drama category. Riana Bass participated in Share the Fun –Vocal and Wade Ledbetter did an Educational Presentation on Natural Resources.

One of the fastest growing 4-H projects and competitions in the state, the photography contest allows youth to demonstrate their skills of expertise picture taking. The District Photography contest had three participants from San Saba County. The three participants from this year were: Jordan Gossett, Wade Ledbetter, and Mykah McKinnerney.

4-H Shooting Sports is in its third year this year. The shooting sports project provides many events and activities for 4-H members to gain and demonstration skills in archery, hunting, muzzle loading, pistol, rifle and shotgun. Events include 4-H Rifle contest, 4-H/Jaycee BB Gun championship, postal leagues, shooting sports extravaganza, Texas 4-H archery match, Texas 4-H silhouette match, Texas 4-H shooting sports games, and many others. San Saba County 4-H Shooting Sports team offers light rifle and archery. This year we were pleased to have five 4-H’ers participate in the 4-H Extravaganza. These five were: Sara Hedley, Melanie Hedley, Ron Gerhart, Wyatt Deans, and Caelob Hardman.

County, district and state horse shows showcase members’ skills in horsemanship, horse training and horse management. There were 26 Horse Project 4-H members who qualified for Awards in 2009. These twenty-six people were: Mekalia Castro, Kayla Fry, Jacey Gossett, Chase Gossett, Jordan Gossett, T.J. Grant, Hallie Jo Hohertz, Kynedi Isham, Kristen Isham, Whitney Key, McKenna Maxcey, Emyris Mimms, Taryn Morris, Hannah Osbourn, Lindsey Osbourn, Torri Parrisher, Briana Parrisher, Stran Schilling, Shaylee Schilling, Daylon Smith, Drew Daniel, Dillon Epperson, Morgan Gilger, Whit Kitchens, Jaci Lewis, and Kelsie Schmidt.

A very special “Thank You” goes to Mr. Tom Epperson whose calves were so amazing! 4-H would also like to recognize some special people who helped make this year’s Horse PlayDays such a success. A “Thank You" goes to those helping with facilities and equipment: Mark & Cathy Amthor, Comissioner Otis Judkins, and Brad Williams. And to the parents and friends who worked so hard to produce Play Days: Cissy Williams, Vicki Key, LewAnn Turner, Tom Epperson, Wade Allen, Dr. Charles Key, Troy Gilger, Arnold Castro, Amanda Gray, Terry & Amy Kitchens, Jeffrey Osbourn, and Brad Williams. Thank You!

One 4-H member competed and placed in Sweetwater at the District Seven 4-H Horse Show and at the State 4-H Horse Show in Abilene. This fantastic 4-H’er who receives awards for advancing to state competition is Abby Dellis. Another 4-H’er has gone to state competition in photography and received two blue ribbons for his work. This member is Ron Gerhart. Ron also participated at the State Round-Up in June doing an Educational Presentation in the Open Category.

San Saba County started a new project called Veterniary Science this May. The project is based on a curriculum that lasts five years and includes one hundred lessons and fifty activities. The project is career orientated and has job training so youth can determine if Veterniary Science is a field they would like to pursue. Those participating in learning how to care for animals are: Ean Evans, Joely Haverland, Kellie Cox, Mykah McKinnerney, Raely Kirk, Abby Dellis, and Bralie Lusty.

In an effort to encourage more youth to participate in 4-H activities an awards policy was established in 2006. The rules included: 1) If a 4-H’er is an active member for one year by participating in at least one project, 2) Attending at least one district event, and 3) Attending 50% of the club meetings. Those who followed these criteria were awarded a 4-H jacket with their name and San Saba County 4-H on it. This year Sara Hedley, Abby Dellis, Marissa Coffman, Maggie Alexander, Melanie Hedley, Emilee Rogers, Jordan Gossett, Riana Bass, Elizabeth Bryant, and Ron Gerhart met the criteria set to receive a jacket.

T-Shirts were also awarded to 4-H'ers to encourage them to continue participating in 4-H activities, club meetings, and District events. To receive a T-Shirt a 4-H’er must have completed two of the three requirements set in place to receive an award jacket.

The people who received a T-Shirt this year are: Maggie Alexander, Marissa Coffman, Emilee Rogers, Jordan Gossett, Sara Hedley, Breann Hellner, Mykah McKinnerney, Wyatt Deans, Caelob Hardman, Emily Esquivel, Wade Ledbetter, Bralei Lusty, Riana Bass, Elizabeth Bryant, Abby Dellis, Ron Gerhart, and Melanie Hedley.

Each year special awards are given to outstanding 4-H members. The Green Clover Awards are given to 4-H’ers who have completed three or more projects. Green Clover winners for this year are: Sara Hedley, Ron Gerhart, Melanie Hedley, Jordan Gossett, and Abby Dellis. The Silver Star Award is given to an individual in 4-H who is between the ages nine and 14 and have shown leadership and community service. This year’s Silver Star Award winner is Miss Melanie Hedley. The Gold Star Award goes to 4-H’ers between the ages 15 and 19 who have done outstanding project work, leadership, and community service. This year’s winners were Sara Hedley and Ron Gerhart. Along with their certificates these two 4-H’ers received a $50 savings bond from San Saba County 4-H. The Danforth –"I Dare You" Award is given to an individual who has shown a great deal of leadership in everything they do. Abby Dellis was this year’s recipient of the Danforth Award. Congratulations on your achievements!

The Friend of 4-H Award is given to an individual or business to recognize them for their support of the San Saba County 4-H program. This year’s Friend of 4-H Award goes to the National Rifle Association for their generous support of our Shooting Sports Program. The NRA awarded San Saba county Shootings Sports team a $3,000 grant. Money was put forth to purchase rifles and equipment so all interested youth could participate. Other businesses who gave a donation to help with the cost of the banquet expenses include: San Saba Pecan, City of San Saba-Civic Center, Barnes & McCullough Lumber, City National Bank, Commercial National Bank, Baxter Sand and Gravel, Gage Insurance Agency, Arrowhead Bank, G&R Grocery, Pecan Valley Hardware, and Frank’s Watch & Trophy. Thank you all so very much for your kind donations!

For many years San Saba County 4-H has recognized leaders that go above and beyond the "Call of Duty." The four leaders who were recognized for their unselfish service were Valerie Gossett, Mark Hedley, Sherri Smith, and Shana Paddie. Thank you all so much for your hard work and dedication that goes into our system! It is much appreciated.

Of course this wonderful ceremony could not have gone as wonderfully as it did without the help of those who set it up and contributed. A thank you goes to Mark Hedley, Shana Paddie, and Margie Benner who helped set up the tables, chairs and decorations. To thirteen women who made the scrumptious desserts to go with our meal! What would dinner be without dessert? Thank you Doris Cates, Sandy Perry, Nelda Edgmond, Marcie Cooper, Louise Oswald, Sherri Cradduck, Mary Jane Dennis, Barbara Porter, Carol Littlefield, Valerie Gosset, and Vicki Stevenson! Thanks to our special guests for attending our event as well: Sherry Cradduck- EE Council Chairman, Mr. and Mrs. Speedy Lafond- Friends of The NRA, Barbara Porter- President of the Simpson Creek EE Club, Rickey Lusty- San Saba County Commissioner, and Roger McGehee- San Saba County Commissioner. And thanks to everyone who came and watched this event. It is so important to the 4-H’ers to feel your support! We hope to see you again next year!