18 youth complete 10-year 4-H careers

Pulaski County has hundreds of youth in the 4-H program, but only a select few will make the committment to participate in all 10 years of elgibility. At the 2016 Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair, which begins Friday (July 1), eighteen 4-H'ers will complete their 10th year in this national program which teaches life-long values and skills which will guide them as they enter adulthood.

They will be recognized at the 4-H Recognition Program at 1 p.m., Saturday, July 2, at the entertainment stage in the fairgrounds.  All are invited to attend. 

"We would like to recognize the following members who have completed 10 years of 4-H which shows characteristics of commitment, effort, and support that will enable them to succeed in life and become the leaders of tomorrow," said Natalie Daily Federer, Pulaski County Extension director. "We hope 4-H has helped prepare them for their futures. We also congratulate and recognize those members who are in their last eligible year of 4-H  for their 4-H achievements and wish them the best as they, and the 10-year members, join the ranks of the 4-H alumni."

The 2016 Pulaski County 4-H tenure members are as follows: 

 

2016 4-H Tenure Members & Last Year Members

 

Thad Alexander Sara Bailey Sara Bernal
Caleb Bucinski Jacob Conner Dustin Dahn
Dustin Field Brittany Fox Jonathan Gudeman
David Kauffman Salena Leman Kole Loehmer
Vanessa Murray Eli Nielson Jerod Putt

2016

Pulaski County

4-H

Tenure Members

2016

Pulaski County

4-H Recognition

Program

1 p.m.

Saturday, July 2

Madison Ruff    

10-Year Members

Thadeus Alexander, son of Scott and Melissa Alexander, is a member of Monroe 76’ers 4-H Club. He plans to go to college for a degree in agriculture economics. His favorite memories of 4-H are from Battle of the Barns. The funniest thing Thad remembers is letting his sheep go during the show. His most embarrassing moment was falling over a gate at the fair. Advice he would give to younger members is “don’t stress about the fair, have fun.” His favorite project is swine because it is enjoyable. His greatest honor he received was champion showman for sheep Being responsible is a skill that he acquired during 4-H that he will continue to use in the future.

Sara Bailey, daughter of Glenn and Dawn Bailey, is a member of the Monroe Happy Hoosiers 4-H Club. She plans to attend Purdue University in the fall. Her favorite memory and highest honor was being the Overall Separates champion at the State Fair Fashion Revue. Sara’s most embarrassing moment of 4-H was when her dog ran out of the arena at the State Fair. Her hobby is running, which she did in cross-country and track. Her favorite project is sewing because she loves to model her beautiful garments. Her advice for the younger 4-H members is don’t procrastinate! She will be able to use her sewing skills that she acquired for any future fashion disasters.

Sara Bernal, daughter of Jonn and Marilyn Bernal, is a member of Salem Superstars 4-H Club. She plans to attend Ancilla College for nursing. Some of her favorite memories are going to 4-H camp and the Salem Superstars canoe trip. Her most embarrassing moment was getting motion sick on the 4-H Club canoe trip. Sara’s hobbies include photography, biking, and scrapbooking. Her favorite project is cake decorating. Winning grand champion on her cake last year was Sara’s greatest honor. She plans on using her cake decorating skills that she learned in 4-H for future family events.

Caleb Bucinski, son of Joe and Laura Bucinski, is a member of the Harrison Hustlers 4-H Club. His future plans are to attend Purdue University in an accelerated program for psychology. His favorite memories are hanging out with family and friends. Caleb’s hobbies are golf, basketball, fishing, and hunting. His best advice to younger members is never procrastinate. His favorite project is swine because it teaches you everything 4-H has to teach you in one project. His greatest honor was being selected as 4-H Royalty. Skills that Caleb has acquired, that he will continue to use in the future, are responsibility, leadership, and teamwork.

Jacob Conner, son of James and Mary Conner, is a member of the Indian Creek Indians 4-H Club. His future plans are to attend Purdue Polytechnic for Aeronautical Engineering Technology. His favorite memories of 4-H are working in the shop for small engines, shooting at shooting sports, and working The Pork Shack. The funniest and most embarrassing thing that happened to Jacob was showing a pig in shorts due to oversleeping. His hobbies are 4-H projects and blacksmithing. “Don’t procrastinate” is the advice that he would give to other 4-Hers. Jacob’s favorite projects are small engines and shooting sports. Receiving grand champion for beekeeping is his greatest honor.

Dustin Dahn, son of Brian and Rosa Dahn, is a member of Beaver 4-H Club. He plans to attend Boyce College in the fall. Some of his favorite memories of 4-H consist of shooting sports, electric, and small engines project meetings. Dustin’s most embarrassing moment was when he walked into the wrong livestock class. His hobbies include target shooting, operating equipment, and helping out at his church. Advice to be given to younger 4-H members would be “have fun with your project, do your best, and winning isn’t everything.” His favorite project is shooting sports because he enjoys target shooting. Dustin’s greatest honor was winning 4-H Royalty in 2014.

Dustin Field, son of Darrin and Dana Field, is a member of Monroe 76’ers 4-H Club. He plans to attend the University of Northwestern Ohio for agriculture equipment technology. His favorite memory of 4-H was being president of his club. His hobbies include shooting his bow and fixing old farm machinery. Some advice to younger members, “4-H gives you many opportunities to try new things and meet new people, so don’t pass them up.” His favorite project is Tractors, because it has pointed him in the direction of his career choice. Dustin’s greatest honor received in 4-H was “Rookie of the Year” in Jr. Leaders.

Brittany Fox, daughter of Joe and Angela Fox, is a member of Franklin Farmers 4-H Club. Her future plans are to attend Indiana University in Bloomington and major in marine biology and conservation. Favorite memories for Brittany are any of the times that she would get together with her friends. Water fights with her cousin are some of the funniest memories. Her most embarrassing moment was when she was dragged by her goat her first year. Reading is her hobby. Best advice to give the younger kids is to, most importantly, have fun! Brittany’s favorite project is goats. Serving on 4-H Royalty for two years is her greatest honor. She will work hard, but leave room for trying new things and having fun.

Jonathan Gudeman, son of Gary and Doreen Gudeman, is a member of Salem Superstars 4-H Club. His future plans are to attend Purdue University. His favorite memories are hanging out with fellow Sale Superstar friends. Playing music is one of his hobbies. “Getting your projects done in a timely manner” is the advice that he would give to younger 4-Hers. Jonathan’s favorite project was a pencil drawing of soldiers on a battlefield and receiving a reserved grand champion on that drawing was his greatest honor. One of skills that he acquired during 4-H is following through with the commitments he makes and he will continue to use that skill in life.

David Kauffman, son of Dr. Clint and Deb Kauffman, is a member of Monroe 76’ers 4-H Club. His future plans are to attend Washington University in St. Louis and major in religious studies/pre-med program. His favorite memories of 4-H are hanging out at the animal barns with his friends. His most embarrassing moment happened in the 5th grade when a cow relieved itself down his boot. His hobby is golf. Some advice he would give younger 4-H members is to only take the projects that you really like to do and do your best on them. David’s favorite 4-H project is pigs because it is fun and easy.

Salena Leman, daughter of Scott and Kathy Leman, is a member of Salem Superstars 4-H Club. She will be attending Knox Beauty School and eventually open her own hair salon. Her favorite 4-H memory was bonding with her dad over her animal projects. Salena’s most embarrassing moment was trying to jump the gate in the hog barn and face planting in front of the whole barn. Her hobbies include singing and styling friends’ hair. Best advice to give is not to procrastinate. Her favorite project is dairy beef finish steers because it was scary at first, but now she loves it. Being a 4-H camp counselor is her greatest honor. One skill acquired from 4-H is time management which she will continue to use throughout her life.

Kole Loehmer, son of Greg Loehmer and Lisa Stiles, is a member of Monroe 76’ers 4-H Club. His future plans are to attend IUPUI for computer engineering. Some of his favorite memories are trying to get pigs to the wash racks. The funniest and most embarrassing thing that happened in 4-H was when his pig went to the bathroom and it ended up all over his boots and pants right before auction. Some parting advice to younger 4-H members is to always keep your papers organized. Kole’s favorite project is Do Your Own Thing. Having projects at the State Fair was his greatest honor. 4-H skills that he has acquired and will use in the future are being creative, hard work, and organization.

Vanessa Murray, daughter of John and Jessica Murray, is a member of Salem Superstars 4-H Club. Her future plans are to attend Purdue University for business and English. Her favorite memories are waking up early to take pigs in and spending time with her brothers. The most embarrassing moment for Vanessa was losing a ribbon in the arena her first year showing pigs. Her hobbies include baking, reading, and spending time with friends. Advice that she would give to other 4-Hers is “Don’t be afraid to try new things, be creative.” Her favorite project is foods because she loves baking. Her greatest honor was taking her foods project to State Fair. A skill that she learned while in 4-H is how to be a leader.

Eli Nielson, son of Kenny and Sherry Nielson, is a member of Beaver Township 4-H Club. He is a graduate of West Central High School. He is a member and the current president of the Jr. Leaders Club. He has taken foods and swine projects in 4-H for the past ten years. His greatest achievement was being awarded Ultimate Showman in 2014 and 2015 for two different species.

Jerod Putt, son of Brian and Tami Putt, is a member of the Salem Superstars 4-H Club. His plans for the future are to attend Purdue University and major in agriculture systems management. His favorite memories in 4-H were working with his siblings with livestock. The funniest memory was watching a friend get dragged by a cow, twice! Most embarrassing memory was when his own cows got loose in the barn. Jerod’s hobbies are bike riding and playing basketball. Some advice would be not to take too many projects, but enjoy the ones you do take. His favorite projects are livestock. His greatest honor received was grand champion. Working with animals is one skill that he has acquired.

Madison Ruff, daughter of Jim and Sheila Ruff, is a member of Van Buren 4-Leafers 4-H Club. Her future plans are to attend Ball State University. Her favorite memories of 4-H was participating in Battle of the Barns and playing cards on the show box. The funniest thing that happened was when her friend broke his show stick and kept asking her for hers during the swine show. Madison’s advice to younger 4-Hers would be don’t procrastinate. Ten years seems like a long time, but it goes by so fast, so enjoy every minute of it! Swine is her favorite project because it is time spent with her family.

Andrew Wagner (not pictured), son of Darrin and Tina Wagner, is a member of Beaver Township 4-H Club. His plans are to attend Ivy Tech and then continue on to Purdue University. His favorite memories are showing pigs. Funniest and most embarrassing moment was when a pig was running down the aisle and knocked him down. His hobby is fishing. Don’t procrastinate is the advice that he would give others. His favorite project is swine. Andrew’s greatest honor was reserved grand champion in swine.

Trevor Wildermuth (not pictured), son of Tara Wildermuth, is a member of Harrison Hustlers 4-H Club. He attended Winamac Community High School. He has participated in swine for 10 years.

 

Also completing 4-H Careers:

Brant Howard, son of To

Brant Howard Vince Watkins

m and Ann Howard, is a member of Monroe 76’ers 4-H Club. He plans to attend Purdue University to pusue a degree in agribusiness. His favorite memories in 4-H were winning reserve grand steer and helping his cousin get started in showing cattle. The funniest memory for Brant was watching his sister show a pig. His hobbies are showing cattle, pigs, and hunting. Advice for the younger members would be to work hard but have fun. His favorite project is cattle because they are quiet and peaceful to work with. Brant’s greatest honor was getting the beef herdsman award.

Vince Watkins, son of Wayne and Patsy Watkins, is a member of Franklin Farmers 4-H Club. He plans to attend Purdue NW for mechanical engineering. His favorite memories of 4-H were racing with other kids in RC cars and making new friends. His most embarrassing moments are falling all the time. His hobbies include reading, playing video games, and being outside. His favorite project is shooting because you learn about wildlife and environment. Communication is one skill that Vince acquired during 4-H that he will continue to use in the future.