Numerous 4-H members from the Montgomery County area were recognized for their work throughout the year on Oct. 8 at the annual Montgomery County 4-H Recognition Banquet at the Grace Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Wellsville.

There were plenty of awards that were given out during the 90-minute event that honored the members of the six county 4-H clubs – Bellflower Boosters, Big Spring Busy Beavers, Coon Creek Cronies, Montgomery Progressors, Middletown Meddlers and Jonesburg Kountry Kids. The Coon Creek Cronies hosted the awards ceremony. Before the event, a dinner was served by G.R.A.C.E. Homeschool Co-Op.

Awards were given out to longtime volunteers such as Debbie Knoepflein, Bridget and John Cobb, Keely Uthlaut, Kathryn Engemann and Carol Kunz. The Cobbs were named the recipients of the Frank Graham Award. There were club awards, membership pins and county and state medals given away.

“I would like to congratulate all of the 4-H members and clubs for their wonderful achievements over the past 4-H year,” said Kim Cullom, the 4-H Youth Associate. “No matter if you are doing community service work, project work, learning leadership skills or teamwork, you all have been successful. I would like to thank everyone for taking the time from their busy schedules to attend this evening. This has been a great opportunity to celebrate 4-H members in Montgomery County.”

Ella Hans of the Kountry Kids and Eason Schreiner of the Big Spring Busy Beavers earned the Outstanding 4-H First Year awards in the girls and boys divisions, respectively. Emelia Hans of the Kountry Kids (girls) and Matthew Oliver of the Coon Creek Cronies (boys) won the Outstanding 4-H award in the 10 and under division. Faith Engemann (girls) and Thomas Happe (boys), both from the Beavers, received Outstanding 4-H awards in the age 11-13 division. Gracie Cobb of the Bellflower Boosters (girls) and Jonah Happe of the Beavers (boys) won the Outstanding 4-H awards in the 14 and over division. Cobb earned the Outstanding 4-H award for the fourth year in a row.

Matthew, who is 10, earned his award after attending all of his club meetings and two 4-H council meetings, doing several community service projects and working as a livestock exhibitor at the Missouri State Fair.

“I tried to do more projects and helped out more,” Matthew said. “This year, I wanted to be a leader.”

Emelia, who is 9, completed her second year with the Kountry Kids. She attended all of the club meetings and exhibited a project at the Missouri State Fair and the Old Threshers Show. Emelia said she enjoys being a part of the Kountry Kids.

“It’s pretty special because we’re like part of a club,” Emelia said. “It’s really fun to be a part of a club.”

Ella, who is 8, also attended all of the club meetings and was involved in many activities such as the parade float, obstacle course and 4-H social. She said she likes being part of the 4-H organization.

“I like doing sewing and all of the projects,” Ella said.