All year long, Grayson Gerding showed strong leadership and dedication for his Montgomery Progressors 4-H group.

That helped him leave Big Spring with an Outstanding 4-H award on Oct. 5.

Grayson, a student from Montgomery County High School, was named Montgomery County Outstanding 4-H Boy in the 14 and over division during the county 4-H banquet that was held at the Big Spring Firehouse.

“It means a lot,” Grayson said. “I think it’s good to be active in 4-H. It’s to help your community help people. It’s good to be active in something.”

The Middletown Meddlers had six of its members win outstanding 4-H awards. Brock Nelson (Outstanding First-Year Boy), Elise Cochran (Outstanding 10 and under girl), Dallas Cochran (Outstanding 10 and under boy), Kolton Craven (Outstanding 11-13 boy) and Adrianna Craven (Outstanding 14 and over girl).

Grayson’s clubmate, Lynn Knoepflein, won the Outstanding 11-13 girl award. Emery Rodgers of Bellflower Boosters was named Outstanding First-Year Girl.

This year, Grayson was the Progressors’ treasurer, participated in the club’s food drive and made Christmas cards for local nursing homes and veterans. He also completed seven projects with seven project records, achieved 100 percent attendance at club meetings and exhibited 11 projects at the 4-H building during the Montgomery County Fair.

“It’s been a great year,” Grayson said. “I had some fun.”

Grayson made projects in Archery, Smallboard .22 Rifle, Air Pistol, Shotgun, Arts and Crafts, Welding and Breads. Out of his 11 projects at the 4-H building, two of them were shown at the Old Threshers Show in August.

“I try to enter as many projects as I can because I just like doing the projects, so I might as well enter them since I like doing it.” Grayson said.

Grayson is in his seventh year with the Montgomery Progressors 4-H Club. He was a Clover Kid for three years before that.

On Oct. 5, Grayson won his first 4-H award since 2022, when he was awarded the Outstanding 11-13 boy at the 4-H banquet at Jonesburg Community Building.

Elise and Dallas Cochran won 4-H awards for the second year in a row. Last year, they earned awards for first-year girl and boy, respectively. This year, Dallas made a clowning project that was promoted all across the county, including nursing homes and back-to-school bashes. Elise completed five projects.

Lynn won her third 4-H award in four years. She was named Outstanding 10 and under girl and selected Outstanding First-Year Girl in 2022. She had 18 projects at the 4-H building, three of them were shown at the Old Threshers Show and one was shown at the Missouri State Fair.

The host club, the Big Spring Busy Beavers, had an outstanding showing at the 4-H banquet. Jonah Happe, who graduated from MCHS in May, was named recipient of the Jean Riddle Scholarship. The Busy Beavers won a blue ribbon for treasurer book and earned a gold seal.