Recap from a Wild West celebration of our Sussex County 4-H Family which took place on September 28, 2019. View photos of this event on our Delaware 4-H Flickr website or Delaware 4-H Facebook 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 Jacalyn Bradley. Jacalyn was chosen for this award because of and her continued involvement and dedication to 4-H activities as a volunteer leader.
Jacalyn has had many leadership roles, first as a 4-H member, then a member of the Sussex County Order of Links. She became a club leader in 2001 and in 2009, became the organizational leader of the Seaford Blue Jays 4-H Club. Jacalyn
co-led this club for many years with her mother, Barbara Taylor, who gave so much to Delaware 4-H and was a 2011 recipient of the Joy Sparks Award! Jacalyn has a true love for 4-H and a great interest in youth. She has a warm smile and caring personality which make her a wonderful club leader.
Jacalyn is a member of the Sussex 4-H Leaders’ Association where she has served two terms as Secretary and has been a Chairperson for the International Foods and Talent Show and has been the Kitchen Chairperson for the annual Sussex 4-H Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser. Jacalyn has also been involved with our Exchange Trip groups and has hosted chaperones. She is also a member of the Sussex County Order of the Links, an organization of outstanding 4-H leaders and former members. She never hesitates to serve as Camp Nurse for events such as the Fall Retreat, Jr. Leader Weekend, and Younger Member Weekend.
Jacalyn is active in her local church and community. She works full time as a nurse at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital. Jacalyn also has two children who were actively involved in the Sussex County 4-H Program.
Jacalyn is always willing to lend a hand and has a lot of great ideas and input! Please join me in thanking Jacalyn Bradley for her dedication to Delaware 4-H. There is little doubt that Jacalyn will continue to inspire “To Make the Best Better.”
FRIEND OF 4-H AWARD
The Friend of 4-H Award is given to businesses, organizations, and individuals that promote youth development and help Sussex 4-H attain their goals and objectives.
The recipient of the 2018 Friend of 4-H Award was the Vanderwende Family. The Vanderwende family has been a long-time supporter of our Delaware 4-H program. This family never hesitates to sponsor ads and donate items for events such as the former Sussex 4-H Horse Show and the current Spaghetti Dinner and Auction. They also donate the wagon each year that is used for our Sussex 4-H float at the DE State Fair. Members of this family have also been judges for project record books such as Clothing & Textiles, Sheep and Dairy. And who can forget their donation of Vanderwende’s ice cream at some of our local and county events!
Delaware 4-H truly appreciates this partnership! We thank the Vanderwende Family for their time and talents and for being advocates of the Delaware 4-H program.
NATIONAL EVENT AWARD WINNERS
National Conference – Jacob Maske & Matison Smith
Ag Science Summit – Jenna Anger, Jacob Maske and Emma Sparpaglione
Photography Summit – Daniel Tull
NATIONAL CONGRESS PARTICIPANTS
Dr. Ernie Lopez, along with Senator Dave Wilson and former Representative Harvey Kenton, presented certificates to the National Congress participants, Jenna Anger, Destiny Carmona and Madison Johnson. These young ladies will travel to Atlanta, Georgia in November to attend National 4-H Club Congress.
New Inductees to the Sussex County Order of Links
Amy West, President of the Sussex Order of Links conducted the induction ceremony.
New inductees were: Rebecca Arpie, Garan Callaway, Shawn Mitchell and Robin O’Day
JUNIOR LEADERS are individuals who volunteer hours of their time to teach, share, and help other
4-Her’s. Junior Leader pins were awarded to:
Holly Calloway, Rachel Carey, Dakota Carmona, Alyssa Carpenter, Cole Carter, Ashlyn Elliott, Sara Figurski, Grace Hopkins, Kyle Kerr, Katie Kuhlman, McKensie Lewis, Anna Lopez, Madison Pete, Victoria Smith, Lily Stubbs, Paige Taylor, Riley Taylor, Hallie Terry and Madison Wells.
LEADER PINS:
Receiving a 1st year Leader Pin: Stan Bradley, Tallie Callahan, Garan Callaway, Susan Callaway, Myriam Carmona, Kira DiSabatino, Nancy Freebery, Sheen Gossett, Ann Hobbs, Amy Kuhlman, Bethany Sparpaglione, Dawn Tomeski, Elizabeth Warren, Tom Warren and Christine Wroten
Receiving a 5 year Leader Pin: Jackie Arpie, Mandy Croll, Robin O’Day, Dana Probert and Travis Waller
Receiving a 20 year Leader Pin: Arleen Baynard
Receiving a 25 year Leader Pin: Carol Johnson
Cloverbuds
There were 61 Sussex County Cloverbuds. In recognition of their fine efforts Cloverbuds received a 4-H bookmark.
Exploring 4-H Project: This project is designed for 4-H’ers 8-12 years old. Twenty-two 4-H’ers completed the project record that was judged for this event: Ray Anderson, Juliette Anger, Alexis Blair, Lillie Bradley, Reid Bradley, Makenna Cooper, Claire Denham, Joel Denham, Morgan Everts, Nate Fensick, Cameron Hale, Mackenzie Hayhurst, Abby Hoeller, Amelia Jackson, Logan Jackson, Aydin Jones, Shelby Pusey, Joseph Riley, Katie Riley, Olivia Shultie, Connor Twilley and Alexis Zolper.
Exploring 4-H Award Winners
Winners: Juliette Anger and Logan Jackson
Honorable Mention: Claire Denham, Joel Denham and Cameron Hale
Diamond Clover Awards
Level 1 Award Winners (Amethyst pin)
Makayla Goff, Juliette Anger, Lillie Bradley, Reid Bradley, Claire Denham, Joel Denham, Morgan Everts, Addison Freebery, Keira Fletcher, Connor Twilley, Angelo Retzos, Chance Megee, Kate Donaway, Makenna Cooper, Alexis Zolper, Alexis Blair, Logan Jackson, Quinton Ashman, Sedona Ashman, Olivia Shultie and Roxie Robinson
Level 2 Award Winners (Aquamarine pin)
Jesse Buck, Brooke Taylor, Taylor Young, Sam Gossett, Sara Figurski, Meredith Timmons, Ruby DiSabatino, Cassidy White, Cate Reilly, Chloe Megee, Emily Davis, Edwin Noon, Sophia Noon, McKenna Miller, Chloe Wilkerson, Megan Krajewski, Andrew Wisniewski, Talia Moutzalias, Embrey Means, Waylon Warner and Wyatt Warner
Level 3 Award Winners (Ruby pin)
Amanda Jewell, Austin Jewell, Riley Taylor, Hallie Terry, Abigail VanVorst, Bailey Fletcher, Ryleigh Archer, Declan West, Elise Garde, Ashley Romanowski, Ava Reilly, Brooklyn Bailey, Jaxson Wilkerson, Jase Hudson, Kieran Probert, Demetreus Moutzalias, Caydance Means, Janet Shultie, Jake Shultie, Ashlyn Elliott, Brooke Elliott, Emma Sparpaglione, Abby Sparpaglione
Level 4 Award Winners (Sapphire pin)
Cole Carpenter, Kyle Kerr, Carson Pusey, Kaitlyn Johnson, Ivy Genshaw, Seth Genshaw, Kate Rohlfing
Level 5 Award Winners (Emerald pin)
Carter Bradley, Alyssa Carpenter, Carlyn DeFord, Katie Kuhlman, Ainsley West, Sundene Lodge, Murphy McCarroll, Madison Johnson, Dakota Carmona, Diamond Carmona, Beth Krajewski, Sarah Krajewski, Zoe Probert
Shooting Sports—Archery Awards
Recurve Bow
Junior Division: JP Eichten
Intermediate Division: Riley Osborne
Sr. Division: Katie Ekholm
Compound Bow
Intermediate Division: Wyatt Warner
Senior Division: Cole Carter
Senior Division (2nd Place): Carly Diehl
Judging Trophies
Photography Judging – Sara Figurski
Foods & Nutrition Judging – Abby Krams
Wood Science Judging – John Wilkerson
Clothing & Textiles Judging – Kaitlyn Johnson
Horticulture Judging – Jenna Anger
Wildlife Judging – Rebecca Lenhart
Dairy Judging – Brooke Terhune
Horse Judging – Victoria Noon
Livestock Judging – Cole Olsen
Poultry Judging – Madison 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 winners of the 2019 Leaders Scholarships were: Mckensie Lewis and Emily Davis
Links Scholarships
The recipients of this award received a full scholarship to Younger Member Weekend Camp.
Exploring 4-H Winners: Juliette Anger and Logan Jackson
8-12 year old Winners: Brooke Taylor and Jake Shultie
Phyllis Hill Memorial Award
Amy West presented the Phyllis Hill Memorial Award on behalf of the Hollymount Club. The recipient of this award was Daniel Tull. Daniel is a member of the Hollymount 4-H Club.
Barbara Taylor Memorial Award
Jake Shultie presented the Barbara Taylor Memorial Award, which is a full scholarship to Younger Member Weekend. This award looks at overall participation in events, especially Public Speaking and Demonstrations. The winner of the award was Sam Gossett, Hollymount. Alternate was Megan Krajewski, Henlopen Clovers.
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 2019 Winner was Matison Smith. Matison is a member of the Dublin Hill 4-H Club and outgoing President of Sussex 4-H Jr. Council. She currently attends the University of Delaware.
4-H SPIRIT AWARDS
Four 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: Jacob Maske, Trey Lodge, Brynn Hovatter, Amanda Jewell, Kyle Morris and Eddie Sparpaglione.
This year’s Head award recipient was Jacob Maske. Jacob uses his knowledge of 4-H projects and activities to excel in a variety of areas in and out of 4-H. Jacob has become much more involved in 4-H the past three years and has gained so many skills of a true leader. He works well with a variety of youth and adults and it always willing to help wherever needed.
Trey Lodge received the Heart Award. This young man has participated in a variety of events at the local and county levels. Whenever Trey attends events, he is always smiling and willing to help in any way he can. Trey is very attentive to detail and puts 100% into things he is passionate about. He has become a wonderful leader at our weekend overnight camps, Day Camp and Environmental Camp. Anyone can tell that Trey loves 4-H.
The Hands Award was presented to Brynn Hovatter for her hard work and dedication at the club and county levels. She takes pride in learning new things and achieving her goals. Brynn never hesitates to jump in and help. Whether she is planning a county event or helping clean up after, Brynn is always willing to lend a hand with a smile on her face.
The Health Award went to Amanda Jewell. Amanda may come across as quiet to many people, but she has a heart of gold. She loves to learn new things and help others. Her positive spirit, encouragement and warm smiles are tools she uses to improve the health and well being of all she comes in contact with.
Kyle Morris received the Member Spirit Award. We have watched this young man become a great leader. Whether helping at Jr. Council events, the Spaghetti Dinner or Day Camp, Kyle is always there with a smile on his face. He loves meeting new people and encouraging the younger members to try new things. Kyle is always cheerful (although sometimes loud) and takes in each and every experience 4-H has to offer!
Last, but not least, is the Adult Spirit Award. Eddie Sparpaglione has been a valuable asset to Delaware 4-H over the past few years. He is always willing to help wherever he can and works well with a variety of members and leaders. Eddie is an active member of the Leaders Association. Eddie has been an excellent leader of the Robotics Club (now STEAM club) for many years and has recently started the Lower Delaware Archers Club. He always makes his members feel comfortable and encourages them to try new things.
Congratulations to all award winners!