Leaders who help to serve the Berrien County 4-H were recently recognized at the Annual Berrien County 4-H Member and Leader Recognition banquet on Nov. 5, 2017, at the Pebblewood Banquet Hall in Bridgman. The program and awards were sponsored by both the Berrien County 4-H Leaders Association, Inc. and the Berrien County 4-H Foundation, Inc.

The Outstanding 4-H Leader Award recognizes 4-H leaders for their volunteer service and leadership within their 4-H clubs as well as their leadership on county programs, committees, and activities that benefit the more than 400 families with children enrolled in Berrien County 4-H.  The award presented to this year’s recipients included a watch, framed certificate, and names engraved on a permanent plaque that is displayed in the Berrien County Michigan State University Extension Office.

Among those awarded were:

Janice Gruss, of Benton Harbor, and Robert Lausch, of St. Joseph, were recently named the 2017 Berrien County Outstanding 4-H Leaders at the Berrien County 4-H Member & Leader Recognition Program.

Gruss has been a leader in the Countrysiders 4-H Club for 18 years, where she has devoted tireless energy and enthusiasm toward educating youth in various projects, officials said. Through her efforts, she has helped with arts and crafts, clowning, leathercraft and cake decorating. Janice’s volunteerism also includes assisting with 4-H Spring Achievement, the 4-H Talent Show and the 4-H Booth at the Berrien County Youth Fair.

Lausch, was also honored and has been a leader for more than 20 years sharing his talents with 4-H youth in woodworking. Through his leadership, he has sought to help acquire knowledge and skills that can be translated into professional careers as 4-H Alumni. Outside of the club level, Rob volunteers his time as an evaluator for the 4-H Spring Achievement, that aids in guiding youth with continued improvement on their projects.

The Leo Stanley Memorial Award for the 2017 Outstanding 4-H’ers is sponsored by the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor Exchange Club and was presented to Darlene Mattson, of Benton Harbor, and Kennedy Melton, of Baroda.  Each recipient received a watch, framed certificate and name engraved on a permanent plaque that is displayed at the Berrien County Michigan State University Extension Office.

Darlene Mattson was also awarded. She is a member of 10 years, whose involvement includes, arts and crafts, animal science, tin punch, clothing and textiles, dogs, shooting sports, photography and volunteerism.

Her talents and passion extend beyond the scope of the Berrien County 4-H program, as she participates in state 4-H opportunities such as 4-H Exploration Days, 4-H State Shooting Sports Archery Competition, and various workshops on dogs, crafts, shootings sports and leadership development. Currently, Darlene is part of the Countrysiders 4-H Club and Town & Country Paws & Pals 4-H Club, while also, being a Teen Leader for the Best Friends 4-H Club and Straight Shooters 4-H Club. Darlene is the daughter of Herman and Lisa Mattson.

Kennedy Melton was also awarded. He is an 11-year member serves as teen director on the Berrien County 4-H Leaders Council, where she provides recommendations and develops ideas to improve the Berrien County 4-H Youth program. She has received county medals for cats, clothing and textiles, llamas, photography, leadership, poultry, foods and nutrition, rabbits and all achievement awards for clothing and textiles and llamas. Additionally, she has competed at the Michigan 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Expo placing in the top ten in Quiz Bowl, Skill-a-thon and rabbit judging. She is part of Baroda Bunnies, Galien Chanters, and Fuzzy Friends 4-H Clubs.  Kennedy is the daughter of Phillip and Emily Melton.

The 2017 I Dare You Award was presented to Ciara Kibby of Coloma, member of the Great Expectations 4-H Club.

The Clover Award for years of service was presented to the following 4-H Leaders:

Pearl – 55 years

• Roberta Luttke

Emerald – 45 years

• Kay Janke

Diamond — 40 years

• Rosie Flanagan

Emerald – 25 years

• William LeBeau

• Barbara Lenhardt

• Russ Scott

Diamond – 20 years

• Lorraine Ashby

• Hethe Janke

Pearl – 15 years

• John Andrasi

• Gidge Dunn

• Shelley Zieger

Gold – 10 years

• Danielle Countryman

• Melissa Hall

• Donna Hill

• Beth Perrone

• Todd Schultz

Silver — 5 years

• Faith Brown

• Tracy Clare

• Wendy Foss

• Herman Mattson

• Elizabeth McCray

• Annette McCullin

• Mary Stockman

4-H County Project Medals were presented to members with three years of accomplishment in their project.  Those recipients included:

Expressive Arts

• Jazmin Finch

• Backyard Renegades 4-H Club

Animal Science – Dogs

• Darlene Mattson

• Town and Country Paws & Pals 4-H Club

Goats

• Ben McKee

• Redbud Country Goats 4-H Club

Horse and Pony

• Evie Clare 

• Great Expectations 4-H Club

Horticulture

• Karen Smith

• Galien Chanters 4-H Club

Photography

• Sydney Melton

• Galien Chanters 4-H Club

Rabbits

• Jazmin Finch

• Countrysiders 4-H Club

• Karen Smith

• Galien Chanters 4-H Club

Leadership

• Reese McKee

• Redbud Country Goats 4-H Club

Shooting Sports

• Darlene Mattson

• Straight Shooters 4-H Club 

All Achievement Awards were presented to member’s in recognition of their leadership and experience with their project that they have completed for at least 4 years.  Recipients were:

Clothing and textiles

• Kennedy Melton

• Galien Chanters 4-H Club

Dogs

• Matthew Carpenter

• Town & Country Paws & Pals 4-H Club

Llamas

• Kennedy Melton

• Fuzzy Friends 4-H Club

Additional Recognition was given to numerous members for first year membership, Cloverbud Completion and Citizenship.

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