On the evening of Tuesday, September the sixth, the San Saba County 4-H’ers and their families filed into the San Saba Civic Center for the annual San Saba County 4-H Awards Banquet. Following the dinner served before the ceremony a prayer led by Melanie Hedley and the Pledge of Allegiance by Ron Gerhart opened the ceremony.

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-H’ers who participated this year are: Marissa Coffman- Spence, Ron Gerhart, Jordan Gossett, Melanie Hedley, Sara Hedley, David Maddox, Triston McGehee, Jacey Gossett, and Abby Dellis. Special recognition goes out to Sara Hedley this year. Sara’s record book in the Public Speaking category placed 1

At Clothing Fun Day, held in June of each year, the 4-H’ers learned to sew drawstring tote bags. During the Sewing Camp 4-H’ers constructed garments and throws to further challenge their skills. Showing off their savvy, sewing skills 4-H’ers participated in the Parade of Fashion held at the Senior Center. Those involved in the Parade were Marissa Coffman-Spence, Kristen Harrell, and Sydnie Norris. This year the Clothing and Textiles Project expanded its member base with the addition of new Clover Kids Brissa Baugh, Brytin Johnson, Kendall Johnson, Emma Martin, Grace Perry, and Mekalia Terry. At the District 7 Fashion Show hosted in San Angelo, 4-H members competed representing San Saba County. Marissa Coffman-Spence placed 1

In the fall, 4-H’ers attended Food Fun Day. Instructions on eating a healthy diet, the food pyramid, bread making, and pasta with ragu sauce were all taught to 4-H’ers at Food Fun Day. Attending the County Food Show Competition were: Riana Bass, Marissa Coffman-Spence, Brooke Esquivel, Emily Esquivel, Jacey Gossett, Jordan Gossett, Melanie Hedley, Sara Hedley, Kamree Lewis, Mykah McKinnerney, Tristen Pafford, Hank Perry, Paige Sloan, and Brooke Vaughn. Advancing to the District 7 Food Show was: Jacey Gossett, Jordan Gossett, Melanie Hedley, Sara Hedley, and Mykah McKinnerney.

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. Performing "The Song In My Head" by Julianne Hough was Riana Bass. Riana placed third. The District Photography Contest is hosted during District Round- Up in San Angelo. A total of six participants from San Saba County entered this year with a total of 26. Entered in the contest was: Emily Esquivel, Jacey Gossett, Jordan Gossett, Wade Ledbetter, Mykah Mc-Kinnerney, and Hank Perry.

The Shooting Sports Project provides many events and activities for 4-H members to gain and demonstrate skills in archery, hunting, muzzle loading, pistol, rifle, and shotgun. Events held for this project include: 4-H Rifle Contest, 4-H/Jaycee BB Gun Championship, postal leagues, Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Extravaganza, Texas 4-H Archery Match, Texas 4-H Silhouette match, and many others. San Saba County Shooting Sports team offers light rifle and archery. This year we were pleased to have twelve 4-H’ers participate in the 4-H Extravaganza. Those who attended were: Zach Brown, Atrell Carlisle, Ron Gerhart, David Maddox, Ethan Martin, Ethan Allen May, John Samuel May, Triston McGehee, Hank Perry, Dax Porch, K.O. Tedder, and Joseph Watson. The two Clover Kids involved in the Shooting Sports Project are Zayne Porch and Whitt Tedder.

Leader’s 4 Life, a project in it’s second year, teaches 4-H’ers Parliamentary Procedure, conduction 4-H meetings, and leadership skills. Participating in the District Contest was: Ethan Evans, Hannah Evans, Ethan Allen May, John Samuel May, Erin Ratliff, and Garrett Ratliff. Coaching the team are Shannon Evans and Bettry Ratliff.

4-H’er Abby Dellis placed in the District Horse Show in Sweetwater and the State Horse Show in Abilene this year. Competing at the State level deserves special recognition. Good Job, Abby!

The Veterinary Science Project has proven to be a continuing success in the San Saba County 4-H Club. The project is based on a curriculum that lasts five years and includes one hundred lessons and fifty activities. The projects is career orientated and has job training so youth can determine if Veterinary Science is a field they would like to pursue. Those participating in learning how to care for animals are Abby Dellis and Ethan Evans.

The Horse Project hosts a Horse Play Days each year. This year’s Play Days were hosted in June and July. Those participating were: Coy Anderson, Carsyn Campbell, Cutter Campbell, Drew Daniels, Bryle Edmondson, Kyle Gilliand, Levi Harper, Luke Harper, Kristen Isham, Kynedi Isham, Whitt Kitchens, Jaci Lewis, Cade Ligon, Rode Ligon, Kalli McCoy, Daylon Smith, Jack Stewardson, MeKalia Terry, Addi Whilton, Ranch York, Ryder York. Awards going to the Best Cowgirl and Best Cowboy in their age categories were: Carsyn Campbell, Drew Daniels, Kristen Isham, Whitt Kitchens, Jaci Lewis, Cade Ligon, Kalli McCoy, and Mekalia Terry.

T-Shirts were awarded to 4-H’ers to encourage participation in 4-H activities, club meetings, and district events. To receive a t-shirt a 4-H’er must complete two of the three requirements: 1.) Participate in at least one project per year, 2.) Attend at least one district event per year, or 3.) Attend 50% of the club meetings per year. Those who earned a t-shirt this year were: Riana Bass, Adrienne Benson, Reid Blodgett, Zach Brown, Jordan Burkhart, Atrel Carlisle, Marissa Coffman- Spence, Abby Dellis, Emily Esquivel, Ian Evans, Ethan Evans, Hannah Evans, Kenneth Faught, Ron Gerhart, Jacey Gossett, Jordan Gossett, Kristen Harrell, Melanie Hedley, Sara Hedley, Kamree Lewis, Bralei Lusty, Chandler Lusty, Hutton Lusty, David Maddox, Berkley Mann, Ethan Martin, Ethan Allen May, John Samuel May, Triston McGehee, Mykah McKinnerney, Dax Porch, Hank Perry, Erin Ratliff, Garrett Ratliff, Paige Sloan, Peyton Sloan, K.O. Tedder, Shayna Underwood, Brooke Vaughn, and Joseph Watson. In 2006 the criteria was set for the 4-H Achievement Award. All three of the previously mentioned rules must be met in order for a 4-H’er to receive the 4-H Achievement Award. Those receiving the award for their 2010 work are: Marissa Coffman- Spence, Abby Dellis, Emily Esquivel, Ron Gerhart, Jacey Gossett, Jordan Gossett, David Maddox, Ethan Martin, Hank Perry, K.O. Tedder, and Joseph Watson.

Each year a 4-H’er prepares a Recordbook to encapsulate their year’s activities. Along with writing their Recordbook, 4-H’ers go through an interview process concerning their 4-H career. From this interview, judges award 4-H’ers special honors including the Green Clover Award, the Outstanding New Member Award, Silver Star Award, Gold Star Award, the Danforth "I Dare You" Award, and the Golden Clover Award. To achieve a Green Clover Award a 4-H’er must participate in more than three 4-H projects. This year’s recipients are as follows: Abby Dellis, Ron Gerhart, Jacey Gossett, Jordan Gossett, Melanie Hedley, Sara Hedley, and Triston McGehee. Participating in 4-H for the first time while completing a Recordbook and one 4-H project, Triston McGehee won the Outstanding New Member Award. The Silver Star Award is presented to 4-H’ers ages 9-14 who show outstanding leadership, and community service. Congratulations to Marissa Coffman- Spence for winning the Silver Star Award. The Gold Star Award was presented to a 4-H’er ages 15-19 who has shown outstanding work in their projects, community, and club leadership. This year’s winner is Melanie Hedley. Melanie also received the Danforth "I Dare You" Award for her growth as a leader. The Golden Clover is awarded to 4-H’ers who have previously received the Gold Star Award and continue to show excellent leadership skills, project growth, and community service. This year’s recipients are: Abby Dellis, Ron Gerhart, and Sara Hedley.

The Friends 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 went to the Extension Education Council and the NRA. The Extension Education Council provided 4-H with the materials necessary to make projects a success for the county club. The NRA granted the San Saba Co. Shooting Sports Team with a $5,267.00 grant to provide necessary materials and equipment to 4-H’ers.

Many local businesses donated funds to cover the banquet’s expenses. A special thanks goes to San Saba Pecan, Arrowhead Bank, Hoffpauir Outdoor Superstore, San Saba Animal Hospital, City National Bank, Gage Insurance Agency, Pecan Valley Hardware, Barnes & McCullough, G&R Grocery, Davidson Ice, Childress & Shook Law Offices, and Commercial National Bank.

For many years San Saba County 4-H has recognized leaders that go above and beyond the "Call of Duty." The 4-H club would like to take the opportunity to thank Shana Paddie, Stephanie Atchley Eoff, Danni Kuder, Valerie Gossett, Paula Miller, David May, Ricky Maddox, and Kenley Kroll for their unselfish dedication and hard work.

Another thanks goes out to all of those involved in making the 4-H Awards Banquet another success. San Saba County 4-H appreciates your enduring support and recognition.

st in the District Competition and advanced to State, where she placed 10th. st in the Intermediate Causal and Sydnie Norris placed 4th in the Junior Dress and placed 1st in the Junior Cotton Division. In the Non Apparel Division were Marissa Coffman- Spence, Emily Esquivel, Jacey Gossett, Jordan Gossett, Kristen Harrell, Erin Ratliff, and Shayna Underwood.