As the relentless rain hammered down on top of the San Saba Civic Center on the evening of September seventh, the San Saba County 4-H’ers and Adult leaders hosted their annual 4-H Awards banquet. The fajita dinner and maracas set the atmosphere for the "Mexican" theme for the banquet. Opening the banquet was returning music star, Riana Bass, who sang the National Anthem, Melanie Hedley who delivered the blessing, and Ron Gerhart who led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The first awards of the banquet went out to 4-H’ers who participated in the 4-H Recordbook Program. A Recordbook is a scrapbook of the 4-H’ers activities, projects, and events. Recordbooks are very helpful when the time comes to fill out scholarship applications, and they really help 4-H’ers see what they have accomplished. 4-hers who participated this year are: Ron Gerhart- Shooting Sports, Abby Dellis- Horse, Sara Hedley- Shooting Sports, Jordan Gossett- Photography, Mykah McKinnernery- Photography, Riana Bass- Foods & Nutrition, Kristen Harrell- Horse, Jacey Gossett- Foods & Nutrition, and Melanie Hedley- Shooting Sports.

This year there was a total of eleven 4-H’ers participating in the San Saba County 4-H Clothing Fun Day, and a total of ten at the 4-H Sewing Camp. These 4-H’ers gained knowledge about natural fibers and gained skills in buying clothing and accessories, clothing construction, doing laundry, and wardrobe planning. San Saba County had three participants in the County Fashion Show. Those beautiful 4-H models included: Marissa Coffman, Hallie Taylor, and Emily Esquivel. Seven participants in the District 7 Fashion Show in San Angelo represented San Saba County. Those 4-H’ers attending were: Marissa Coffman was the Apparel Division competitor entering in Intermediate Dress. Participating in the Non Apparel Division at District Fashion Show was: Marissa Coffman, Jordan Gossett, Mykah McKinnerney, Emily Esquivel, Hallie Taylor, and Shayna Underwood.

4-H’ers who partook in the 4-H Food Fun Day held in the fall gained new culinary skills and know-how. Some topics covered in the seminar was the importance of eating a healthy diet daily, getting exercise, the main food groups, and kitchen cleanliness. 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, Mykah McKinnerney, Emily Esquivel, Jaren Goins, Kristen Harrell, Melanie Hedley, Riana Bass, Jordan Gossett, Breann Hellner, Marissa Coffman, Jacey Gossett, and Hannah Valdez. Several 4-H’ers advanced to next level of competition, the District Food Show, in Abilene. Those participating were: Melanie Hedley, Jacey Gossett, Elizabeth Bryant, and Jordan Gossett.

Share the Fun is a popular contest held at District 4-H Round-Up in San Angelo. At this contest the youth present skits and speeches in categories such as comedy, poetry, musical, or drama category. Riana Bass participated in Share the Fun –Vocal. The District Photography contest is also hosted during the District 4-H Round-Up. San Saba had three participants this year participating in the competition. Those who attended were: Jordan Gossett, Jacey Gossett, and Mykah McKinnerney.

4-H Shooting Sports is in its fourth 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 seven 4-H’ers participate in the 4-H Extravaganza. These seven were: Sara Hedley, Melanie Hedley, Ron Gerhart, Emily Esquivel, Artel Carlisle, Colt Carlisle, and Dennis Harbin.

A new project was started this year in San Saba County 4-H. Leaders 4 Life is a contest covering the order of Parlimentary Procedure, conducting 4-H meetings, and gaining leadership skills. Participating at the District competing and placing third were Erin Ratliff, Garrett Ratliff, Ean Evans, and Ethan Evans. The coaches, Shannon Evans and Betty Ratliff, are planning to coach the event again this upcoming year. If anyone is interested in participating, give Shannon Evans or the Extension Office a ring! San Saba County 4-H would really be glad to see this project grow!

To go along with the innovative charisma came the Cherokee 4-H Archery Project. This year there were a total of eight 4-H’ers under the coaching of Ricky Maddox and Commissioner Kenley Kroll: Kenzie Zulauf, Dax Porch, Ethan Martin, Whit Tedder, Hank Perry, Zayne Porch, David Maddox, and K.O. Tedder.

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 received three blue ribbons and three red ribbons for his work. Both 4-H’ers received glass plaques to reward their outstanding accomplishments.

The Veterinary Science has proven to be a continuing success in San Saba County 4-H. 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: Ethan Evans,Abby Dellis, Bralei Lusty, Mykah McKinnerney, and Joely Haverland.

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 1 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 or chiar with San Saba County 4-H’s emblem on it. This year Sara Hedley, Abby Dellis, Marissa Coffman, Melanie Hedley, Jordan Gossett, Riana Bass, Jacey Gossett, Emily Esquivel, Kristen Harrell, and Mykah McKinnerney, and Ron Gerhart met the criteria set.

T-Shirts were also awarded to 4-Hers 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: Jacey Gossett,Erin Ratliff, Garrett Ratliff, Ean Evans, Ethan Evans, Atrel Carlisle, Colt Carlisle, Shayna Underwood, Dennis Harbin, Marissa Coffman, Jordan Gossett, Sara Hedley, Breann Hellner, Mykah McKinnerney, Kristen Harrell, Emily Esquivel, 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. This year’s winners include: Kristen Harrell, Mykah McKinnerney, Jacey Gossett, Sara Hedley, Melanie Hedley, Abby Dellis, Riana Bass, Ron Gerhart, and Jordan Gossett. The Silver Star Award is given to an individual in 4-H who is between the ages 9 and 14 and have shown leadership and community service. This year’s Silver Star Award winner is Miss Jordan Gossett. The Gold Star Award goes to 4-H’ers between the ages 15 and 19 how have done outstanding project work, leadership, and community service. This year’s winner is Abby Dellis. Along with her certificates Abby received a $100 savings bond from San Saba County 4-H. The Danforth –"I Dare You" Awards is given to an individual who has shown a great deal of leadership in everything they do. Sara Hedley is this year’s recipient of the Danforth Award. The Outstanding New Member Award is given to a new club member showing an overall achievement in their projects and participation. This year’s recipient is Jacey Gossett. The Golden Clover Award recognizes 4-H’ers who have previously received the Golden Star Award and continue to show exemplary leadership and achievements in all that they do. Congratulations to Sara Hedley and Ron Gerhart for continuing to show outstanding 4-H participation, leadership, community service, and success. Congratulations on your achievements, 4-H’ers!

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 Joan VanGorp. Ms. VanGorp greatly assisted the 4-H’ers during Clothing Fun Day and 4-H Sewing Camp. 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, G&R Grocery, and Wal-Mart Supercenter in Lampasas. 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 are Valerie Gossett, Mark Hedley, Paula Miller, Ricky Maddox, Kenley Kroll, 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 David Rogers, Shana Paddie, Peter Hald and Virginia Gonzales who helped set up the tables, chairs and decorations. To Nelda Edgmon who made the scrumptious desserts to go with our meal! What would dinner be without dessert? Thanks to Ron Gerhart who took photos of all the award recipients at the banquet. Thanks to our special guests for attending our event as well: Doris Cates, Commissioner and Mrs. Roger McGehee, Kay Stewart, and Nelda Edgmon. Another thanks goes to all those who came and viewed this event. It is so important to the 4-H’ers to feel your support! Congratulations all 4-H’ers who received awards this year!