Recap from the celebration of Sussex County 4-H Achievement Event “Walk the Green Carpet with 4-H” which took place on September 29, 2024.
Photos from the event are posted on the DE 4-H Flickr Page!
JOY SPARKS SPIRIT OF 4-H AWARD
The Joy Sparks Award is given in memory of Joy G. Sparks, past State 4-H Program Leader. Joy was a lifelong 4-H member. She embodied what it meant to be a 4-H’er and used her Head, Heart, Hands and Health to better herself and her community. Award recipients are chosen based on their contributions to the 4-H program and keeping Joy’s Spirit of 4-H alive. This year’s winner was Kathy DiSabatino who was honored for her dedication and service to Sussex County 4-H for over 26 years!
FRIEND OF 4-H AWARD
This award is given to individual or organizations who give to Sussex 4-H in a variety of ways. This year’s recipient was the Delmarvalous Quilters. This group has partnered with Sussex 4-H for many years providing donations each year to go toward clothing and textiles projects. This year, the group is hosting four fall sewing workshops. We appreciate this group’s time and talents!
NATIONAL 4-H EVENT AWARD WINNERS
National Ignite Summit: Rachel O’Day
National 4-H LifeSmarts Participants: Carter Bradley, Emily Davis, Kaitlyn Kopf, Edwin Noon, and
Sophia Noon
National Congress 2024 Delegates: Declan West
New Inductees to the Sussex County Order of Links
Amy West, President of the Sussex Order of Links conducted the induction ceremony.
New inductees are: Neil Anger, Ashlyn Elliott, Dave Hale, Matison Smith, & Paige Taylor
JUNIOR LEADERS are individuals who volunteer hours of their time to teach, share, and help other
4-Her’s. First Year Junior Leader pins were awarded to: Juliette Anger, Sedona Ashman, Quinton Ashman, Lillie Bradley, Reid Bradley, Makenna Cooper, Ava Dahlstrom, Claire Denham, Joel Denham, Ariana Dorman- Donophan, Cameron Hale, Ryleigh Harrison, Hanna Holland, Logan Jackson, Ella Marquez, Brooke Messick, Charlee Moore, Demetreus Moutzalias, Talia Moutzalias, Sophia Pauze, Kieran Probert, Kylee Reynolds, Paloma Rolph, Zipporah Rolph, Olivia Shultie, Alison Swartz, Brooke Taylor, and Taylor Young.
LEADER PINS:
1st year Leader Pin: Katie Carpenter, Heather DeMarie, Shawn Mitchell, and Joyce Neumann
5 year Leader Pin: Rebecca Arpie, Stan Bradley, Garan Callaway, Susan Callaway, Amy Denham, Amy Hale, Dave Hale, and Joe West
10 year Leader Pin: Amy West
15 year Leader Pin: Tammy LeCates
CLOVERBUD
There were 89 Sussex County Cloverbuds. In recognition of their fine efforts, they received a 4-H certificate and 4-H sunglasses.
CLUB PROJECT ACTIVTY AWARDS
BRIDGEVILLE MUSTANGS
1 AWARD
Jenna Davis: Judging
Talen Jester: Judging
Sarah Melvin: Public Speaking
Taylor Melvin: Judging
Brooke Messick: Demonstration
Brynlee Pepper: Judging
Paige Taylor: Judging
Abby Vanvorst: Woodworking
2 AWARDS
Cole Carpenter: Leadership & Judging
Mark Moore: Exploring 4-H & Judging
Gideon Quackenbush: Demonstration & Judging
Lily Vanvorst: Woodworking & Judging
4 AWARDS
Carter Bradley: Leadership, Woodworking, Judging, & Public Speaking
Brooke Taylor: Horse, Demonstration, Public Speaking, & Judging
5 AWARDS
Cameron Hale: Foods, Leadership, Performing Arts, Woodworking, and Judging
7 AWARDS
Reid Bradley: Arts & Crafts, Community Service, Foods, Leadership, Woodworking, Demonstration, and Judging
10 AWARDS
Lillie Bradley: Arts & Crafts, Clothing & Textiles, Community Service, Foods, Horse, Leadership, Woodworking, Demonstration, Judging, and Public Speaking
13 AWARDS
Juliette Anger: Arts & Crafts, Community Service, Foods, Goat, Horse, Horticulture, Leadership, Photography, Shooting Sports, Woodworking, Demonstration, Judging, and Public Speaking
COUNTRY CLOVERS
2 AWARDS
Emily Davis: Horse & Demonstration
3 AWARDS
Kaitlyn Johnson: Leadership, Demonstration & Judging
4 AWARDS
Matthew Johnson: Clothing & Textiles, Photography, Demonstration, and Judging
CYPRESS HEART & HANDS
1 AWARD
Faith Absher: Community Service
DUBLIN HILL
1 AWARD
Ella Crockett: Public Speaking
Wyatt Crockett: Public Speaking
Aubree Davidson: Arts & Crafts
Owen Jackson: Public Speaking (Cloverbud)
Jeffrey O’Day: Public Speaking (Cloverbud)
Hailey Parsons: Arts & Crafts
Chase Pusey: Community Service
Pearl Talkington: Arts & Crafts
2 AWARDS
Gabriela Haldeman: Exploring 4-H & Demonstration
Brynn Schutt: Exploring 4-H & Judging
Emma Schutt: Exploring 4-H & Judging
3 AWARDS
Emorie Jackson: Arts & Crafts, Photography, & Demonstration
Logan Jackson: Community Service, Photography, & Judging
Oliver Podlaseck: Arts & Crafts, Community Service, & Judging
4 AWARDS
Raegan O’Day: Arts & Crafts, Demonstration, Public Speaking, & Judging
5 AWARDS
Lucas Marquez: Arts & Crafts, Community Service, Foods, Demonstration, & Judging
8 AWARDS
Ella Marquez: Arts & Crafts, Cats, Clothing, Community Service, Foods, Leadership, Judging & Demonstration
HARBOR LIGHTS
1 AWARD
Claira Adams: Public Speaking
Alexis Blair: Demonstration
2 AWARDS
Ethan Martin: Public Speaking (Cloverbud)
Kaylee Martin: Public Speaking & Judging
HOLLYMOUNT
1 AWARD
Evelyn Denham: Public Speaking (Cloverbud)
Micah Denham: Public Speaking (Cloverbud)
3 AWARDS
Keira Fletcher: Community Service, Health, & Performing Arts
4 AWARDS
Joel Denham: Community Service, Public Presentation, Public Speaking, & Judging
5 AWARDS
Claire Denham: Community Service, Performing Arts, Public Presentation, Public Speaking, & Judging
Addison Freebery: Foods, Photography, Public Presentation, Public Speaking, & Judging
Julia Freebery: Foods, Photography, Public Presentation, Public Speaking, & Judging
Cody Kuhlman: Dog, Goats, Shooting Sports, Demonstration & Judging
Ainsley West: Community Service, Leadership, Sheep, Judging & Demonstration
7 AWARDS
Declan West: Community Service, Foods, Leadership, Sheep, Wildlife, Demonstration, & Judging
LAUREL LEAFLETS
Thomas Bodge: Judging
Ava Dahlstrom: Judging
Riley Eckman: Judging
Jayda Evans: Judging
Kayden Henson: Judging
Kyree Muse: Judging
LORD BALTIMORE HELPING HANDS
3 AWARDS
Ruby DiSabatino: Community Service, Foods, & Leadership
MILFORD 4-H
Victoria Smith: Judging
SEAFORD BLUE JAYS
1 AWARD
Ivy Genshaw: Horticulture
Lillian Platek: Exploring 4-H
Jayda Riefler: Horticulture
2 AWARDS
Paloma Rolph: Arts & Crafts & Community Service
Jake Shultie: Community Service & Photography
Janet Shultie: Horse & Judging
3 AWARDS
Zipporah Rolph: Arts & Crafts, Community Service, & Photography
Olivia Shultie: Community Service, Foods & Judging
5 AWARDS
Embrey Means: Arts & Crafts, Foods, Photography, Demonstration, & Judging
7 AWARDS
Caydance Means: Arts & Crafts, Clothing, Foods, Performing Arts, Photography, Judging, Demonstration
STATELINE
1 AWARD
Meredith Timmons: Judging
Samantha Timmons: Judging
SUNSET BRANCH
1 AWARD
Jacob Bradshaw: Public Speaking (Cloverbud)
Maddox Greaves: Horse
Declan Hjorth: Public Speaking (Cloverbud)
Talia Moutzalias: Judging
Ethan Perry: Public Speaking
Lucas Perry: Public Speaking (Cloverbud)
Nolan Perry: Public Speaking
Kennedy Stalcup: Public Speaking (Cloverbud)
Peyton Stalcup: Public Speaking
Alison Swartz: Demonstration
2 AWARDS
Wren Choi: Horse & Demonstration
Bella DeMarie: Horse & Public Speaking
Ariana Dorman-Donophan: Horse & Demonstration
Jayla Hill: Foods & Judging
Whitney Hjorth: Demonstration & Public Speaking
Hanna Holland: Demonstration & Public Speaking
Alex Mavity: Horse & Public Speaking
Jane Mavity: Horse & Public Speaking
McKenna Neumann: Horse & Demonstration
Kieran Probert: Demonstration & Public Speaking
Liam Probert: Goats & Demonstration
Callie Russell: Horse & Demonstration
Andrew Wisniewski: Judging & Public Speaking
Daniel Wisniewski: Judging & Public Speaking
3 AWARDS
Sedona Ashman: Horse, Demonstration & Judging
Wyatt Vincent: ATV Safety, Shooting Sports & Demonstration
Exploring 4-H Project:
This project is designed for 4-H’ers 8-12 years old. Eleven 4-H’ers completed the project record that was judged for this event: Gabriela Haldeman, Mark Moore, Lillian Platek, Brynn Schutt, & Emma Schutt
Exploring 4-H Award Winners:
Top Award: Gabriela Haldeman, Dublin Hill
Honorable Mention: Brynn Schutt & Emma Schutt, Dublin Hill
Diamond Clover Awards
Level 1 Award Winners (Amethyst pin)
Faith Absher, Gabriela Haldeman, Jeremy Messick, Scarlett Morton, Braeden Neumann, McKenna Neumann, Raegan O’Day, Nolan Perry, Chase Pusey, Shelby Pusey, and Pearl Talkington.
Level 2 Award Winners (Aquamarine pin)
Emily Card, Harper Holland and Matthew Johnson, Ethan Perry, and Gavin Szczur
Level 3 Award Winners (Ruby pin)
Julia Freebery, Hanna Holland, Emorie Jackson, Lucas Marquez, Brooke Messick, Oliver Podlaseck, Lily Vanvorst, Wyatt Vincent, and Daniel Wisniewski
Level 4 Award Winners (Sapphire pin)
Cody Kuhlman, Ella Marquez and Liam Probert
Level 5 Award Winners (Emerald pin)
Cameron Hale, Olivia Shultie, and Andrew Wisniewski
Level 6 Project in Progress
Juliette Anger, Lillie Bradley, Reid Bradley, Claire Denham, Joel Denham, Keira Fletcher, Addison Freebery, Logan Jackson, and Kieran Probert
Level 6 Award Winners and Service Projects (Diamond pin)
Madison Johnson: “Threads of Love”
Murphy McCarroll: “PSA’s Against Plastic”
Declan West: “Meet the Farmer”
Camp Counselor Awards
4-H Teen Leaders served as counselors at a variety of events in the spring and summer of 2024 including Younger Member Weekend and Sussex 4-H Day Camp. These counselors were: Juliette Anger, Carter Bradley, Lillie Bradley, Reid Bradley, Alyssa Carpenter, Cole Carpenter, Ruby DiSabatino, Addison Freebery, Cameron Hale, Logan Jackson, Kyle Kerr, Caydance Means, Embrey Means, Demetreus Moutzalias, Talia Moutzalias, Rachel O’Day, Abby Vanvorst, Ainsley West, Declan West, and Taylor Young.
Counselor’s in Training (CIT’s): Linda Adams, Ava Dahlstrom, Claire Denham, Joel Denham, Ella Marquez, and Brooke Messick
Judging Contest Awards
Awards were given to those individuals who placed first at the county judging contests or first at the state contest if a county contest was not available. All members who took part in these contests received a pin and certificate.
Horticulture: Kaitlyn Johnson
Wildlife: Joel Denham
Foods: Meredith Timmons
Clothing: Kaitlyn Johnson
Photography: Logan Jackson
Wood: Cameron Hale
Horse: Jenna Davis
Poultry: Kaitlyn Johnson
Leaders Association Scholarship
The Leaders Association Scholarship Award is given to outstanding 4-H’ers taking into consideration, project work, participation, community service and leadership. 4-H’ers may receive this award only once.
The winner of the 2024 Leaders Scholarships was: Caydance Means, Seaford Blue Jays
Links Scholarships
The recipients of this award received a full scholarship to Younger Member Weekend Camp.
Winners:
Julia Freebery, Mark Moore, Oliver Podlaseck, and Lily Vanvorst
Barbara Taylor Scholarship:
The recipient of this award received a full scholarship to Younger Member Weekend Camp.
Winner:
Raegan O’Day, Dublin Hill
Alternate:
Gabriela Haldeman, Dublin Hill
Phyllis Hill Memorial Award
Addison Freebery presented the Phyllis Hill Memorial Award on behalf of the Hollymount Club. The recipient of this award was Ainsley West. Ainsley is a member of the Hollymount 4-H Club.
Ida Layton Award:
This award is sponsored by the Layton Family in honor of Ida Layton, former 4-H leader and member of the Sussex County Horse Advisory. The 2024 Winner was Carter Bradley. Carter is a member of the Bridgeville Mustangs 4-H Club and outgoing President of Sussex 4-H Jr. Council.
4-H SPIRIT AWARDS
Ten years ago, we incorporated the Sussex 4-H Spirit Awards into our program. The 4-H Spirit Awards are similar to those given at State 4-H Camp. Recipients will be awarded for how they represented the
4 H’s (Head, Heart, Hands, Health) and 4-H Spirit throughout the year. 5 youth and one adult will receive this award each year. This year’s winners were: Mark Moore, Abby Vanvorst, Joel Denham, Reid Bradley, Ainsley West, and Kim Elliott
Congratulations to all award winners!