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WORLAND - Several special awards were presented during Washakie County 4-H Achievement Night Thursday, Nov. 19, including one member inducted into the Wyoming 4-H Honors Club.

The ultimate achievement that a 4-H member can obtain is inclusion in the Wyoming 4-H Honors Club. It is based on the principle of providing recognition for youth that maximize their opportunities to foster positive youth development elements of belonging, independence, generosity and mastery over their time as a member in the program. Nineteen points must be accumulated to obtain the status. Annual efforts are accumulated based on receiving three points for a gold effort and one point for a silver effort.

Walker Cooper joins the 26 past 4-H members who have been inducted. He is a member of the Ten Sleep Sage Stompers 4-H Club and son of Mike and Crystal Walker.

FRIEND OF 4-H

Each year, Washakie County 4-H recognizes some member of the community as a special Friend of 4-H. This very prestigious award is presented to a person, organization or business in the community who has been a special "Friend" to the Washakie County 4-H Program.

This year the competition was fierce, several local businesses and community members were right at the top of the list.

Lynn Murdoch was honored Nov. 19. She has been supportive of the Washakie County 4-H Program since she was old enough to walk. She is a past 11-year 4-H member right here in Washakie County. She has followed in her dad's footsteps in many areas. Besides providing great food for 4-H and the community she helped her dad, as swine superintendent. When he resigned from that position she teamed up with another adult for a few years and then eventually became swine superintendent. She has been advising and helping youth members for a very long time. She is also an active member of the Washakie County Junior Livestock Sale Committee and provides valuable input.

UJIFUSA

OUTSTANDING 4-H LEADER AWARDS

A 4-H leader is chosen each year to be honored as the Outstanding 4-H Leader in Washakie County. As last year, Washakie County Outstanding Leader Award has been split into two to recognize leaders with less than 10 years of experience and those with more than 10 years experience. The leaders are chosen from nominations made by 4-H leaders, members or clubs. The overwhelming accomplishments and appreciation this county has for this year's leaders go above and beyond words.

The Volunteer of the Year Award is for those leaders with less than 10 years experience. When nominations came in words used were kind, helpful, organized and always prepared as well as always available to help and support. They are excellent leaders and makes practice fun with games to get youth excited to shoot, compete and do their best. Both volunteer to help out during the year and especially at Washakie County Fair. Even in the midst of COVID and crazy quarantines these leaders have helped get things ready for tonight.

The Volunteer of the Year 4-H Leader Award went to Brian and Stephanie Voss

The Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award is for those leaders with more than 10 years experience. This leader was a youth in 4-H for 11 years so knows the time and work it takes to complete projects and show at county fair. The nomination included words such as helps run a successful club, is always helping with community service, and is willing to step in to help with anything.

Long before her boys were 4-H age, she was a 4-H leader. She has been a great volunteer helping with 4-H events and taken on the food booth and done an excellent job. 4-H is definitely a family affair for this leaders because at most 4-H activities. All three of these leaders and they are being recognized this evening for their dedication and contributions to Washakie County 4-H Program. This year's Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer is Amy Baugh.

UJIFUSA

OUTSTANDING 4-H MEMBER AWARDS

The Ujifusa Family generously made a donation to honor and recognize two outstanding 4-H members, along with Outstanding 4-H Leaders.

The first member honored, Krew Neighbors, has participated in 4-H for four years. Nominators mentioned he always has a positive attitude and has fun while working to do his best.

Nominators also wrote, "He wrote a thank you note to us after fair to thank us for being leaders...it meant a lot and was appreciated. It was the first handwritten thank you we have received from a member in the 19 years we have been leaders."

The second member, Brian Rice, has been active in 4-H for 10 years. Nominators mentioned Rice is a "shining example to all of their fellow club members. Relates to all ages, experience members and novices. Follows the 4-H pledge in all he does. Willing to help whenever asked."

Krew is the son of Rans and Kammie Neighbors.

Brian is the son of Dan and Dani Rice.