The San Saba 4-H Awards Banquet was held September 11, 6 p.m. at the Civic Center. The banquet began with Mekalia Castro leading the 100 people attending in the Pledge of Allegiance. Kendall Johnson led the 4-H Motto and Pledge and Melanie Hedley gave a short prayer. Analyn Bohensky sang the National Anthem. 4-H members recognized for their record book were: Marissa Coffman-Spence, Abby Dellis, Emily Esquivel, Melanie Hedley, Kendall Johnson, Mekalia Castro, and Triston McGehee. Special recognition went to Melanie Hedley and Marissa Coffman- Spence. Melanie’s record book placed 1st in FCS Open at District Record Book Judging and went onto State Record book Judging. Her record book was 2nd at State. Marissa’s Record book placed 1st at District in Clothing and Textiles and then placed 11th at the State Competition. Clothing Projects are done in June of each year. Those recognized for participating in the Parade of Fashion and/or the District were: Kristen Harrell, Emily Esquivel Mekalia Castro, Anakin Klinkovsky-Spence, Callie Ham-mett, Brighton Adams, Abigail Jimenez and Alexus Jimenez. Clover Kids participating in the Clothing Project were: Madison Shahan, John Klinkovsky-Spence, Emma Martin and Gracie Perry. San Saba County 4-Hers 4-H members recognized for their participation in the 4-H County Food Show and District Food included: Shayna Underwood, Marissa Coffman-Spence, Kendall John-son Hank Perry Emily Esquivel , Melanie Hedley, and Sydnie Norris. 4-H District Round-up includes Educational Presentations, Senior Fashion Show, Share – the – Fun & the District Photography Contest. Two 4-Hers competed in Share-the-Fun this year at District. Recognized were Analyn Bohensky who sang “Listen to Your Heart” and placed 4th place in the Junior vocal category. Garrett Ratliff was in the Senior solo/band category and place 1st at District. Ratliff went on to the State Contest at Texas Tech in Lubbock in June and placed 8th. The District Photography Contest had 6 participants from San Saba County. Those receiving awards were: Emily Esquivel, Jacey Gossett, Jordan Gossett, Wade Ledbetter, Triston McGe-hee & Chase Gossett. Ledbetter received a special award for being a state contestant.4-H’ers recognized for their participation in 4-H Extravaganza were Ron Gerhart, David Maddox, Triston McGehee, Garrett Ratliff, Hank Perry, and K.O. Tedder. Four 4-H’ers received certificates for their participation in the Leader’s 4 Life 4-H contest. Participating in this District Contest were: Ethan Allen May, John Samuel May, Erin Ratliff, and Abigail Meador.Two 4-H members competed and placed in Sweetwater at the District 7 4-H Horse Show and at the State 4-H Horse Show in Abilene. Mekalia Castro and Abby Dellis received certificates and special prizes for their State 4-H participation. Receiving a certificates for their participation in the 4-H Woodworking project was Wyatt Smith. Clover Kids receiving certificates were Austin Smith and J.T. Moddy.4-Hers receiving certificates for their participation in the Sticks & Strings (knitting & crochet) project were: Brooke Esquivel, Abigail Jimenez, Abigail Meador, Alexus Jimenez, Emily Esquivel and Katelyn Bohensky.Forty one 4-H’ers received Participation Awards. Requirements to receive the award include:Being a 4-H member for one year, attending 50% of the club meetings, participating in a district 4-H event and having at least one 4-H project. Receiving this award were: Abigail Meador, Abby Dellis, Adrienne Benson Berkley Mann, Anakin Klink-ovsky-Spence, Bralei Lewis, Brighton Adams, Chandler Lusty, Chase Gossett, David Maddox, Emily Esquivel, Erin Ratliff, Ethan Martin, Ethan Allen May, Garrett Ratliff, Hank Perry, Hutton Lusty, Jacey Gossett, John Samuel May, Jordan Burkhart, Jordan Gossett, K. O. Tedder, Kamree Lewis, Kendall Johnson, Kenneth Faugh, Kristen Harrell, Landon Burkhart, Lane Shannon, Mekalia Castro, Marissa Coffman-Spence, Melanie Hedley, Paige Sloan, Payton Sloan, Rebecca Faught, Ron Gerhar, Shayna Underwood, Sydnie Norris, Triston McGe-hee,Wade Ledbetter, Wyatt Smith and Sara Hedley. This year’s Achievement Award Winners are: Marissa Coffman-Spence, Abby Dellis, Emily Esquivel, Ron Gerhart, Jacey Gossett, Jordan Gossett, Hank Perry, K.O. Tedder, Chase Gossett, Kristen Harrell, Mekalia Castro, Shayna Underwood, Sara Hedley, Sydnie Norris and Triston McGehee. Several special awards were presented next. To be eligible for the special awards, a 4-H’er had to complete a record book and go thru the interview process and meet any other requirements that particular award had. Green Clover Award winners had at least 3 projects. Those receiving the Green Clover award were: Mekalia Castro, Emily Esquivel, and Triston McGehee.The Outstanding New Member Award (1st year 4-H Member) went to Kendall Johnson. Silver Star Award (between the ages of 9-14, completed several projects, activities, community service and leadership projects) went to Triston McGehee. The Gold Star Award (ages 15 & up, completed several projects, activities, community service and leadership projects) went to Marissa Coffman-Spence.The I Dare You Award – “I DARE YOU” –( the focus of this award is leadership) is Marissa Coffman-Spence. The Golden Clover Award –(have received the Gold Star Award and are continuing to participate in 4-h activities and events). This year’s winners are: Melanie Hedley and Abby Dellis.The Friends of 4-H Award is given to individuals or businesses to recognize them for their support of the San Saba County 4-H. This year’s friend of 4-H Award goes to Stripes Convenience Store. San Saba County 4-H also recognized leaders that go above and beyond the ‘Call of Duty.’ These leaders being recognized for their unselfish service were: Shana Paddie, Betty Ratliff, Stephanie Atchley Eoff, Danni Kuder, Autumn Castro, Doris Cates, Charlotte Spence, Kay Stewart, Janie Calderon, Nelda Edgmon, Valerie Gossett, David May, Ricky Maddox, Kenley Kroll, Debby Shahan, Cathy Ledbetter, & Fred Willis.Thanks also went to Doris Cates, Nelda Edgman, Carol Littlefield, Kay Stewart, and Janie Calderon for helping to serve the food at the banquet.