4-H Youth Development Program Holds 2016 Fall Family Awards Picnic

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program held its annual Fall 4-H Family Awards Picnic September 18, 2016 on the 4-H fairgrounds. The picnic, provided by the Cape May County 4-H Foundation, Inc., celebrated 4-H youth members’ and adult volunteers’ accomplishments over the last year.
Karen Dickinson, Advertising Manager for the Cape May County Herald, opened the event by presenting a donation and framed covers from the annual 4-H Fair special section in the Herald publication, which has been running since 1988, to 4-H Foundation President Ron Day.
Among 4-H youth who were honored were the Cloverbuds who are “moving up” to 4th grade and regular 4-H membership. These 3rd graders included Rhiannon Henry, Edward Hoover, Sydnie Hunter, Ava Keslo, Chloe Pinkerton, Autumn Richards and Asher Sindoni.
The following regular 4-H members who earned prestigious county medals this year included Sam Barry, 2nd Year Swine and Personal Development; Alexa DiPalantino, Horse; Samantha Downes, Achievement; Thomas Germanio, Gardening and Horticulture; Maysen Gibboni, Horse; Trinity Hamann, 4th Year Rabbit; Andrew Heim, Horse; Kristin Hughes, 5th Year Community Service; Kelly Hunter, 2nd Year Personal Development; Mina LaFrance, Personal Development; Victoria Matt, 2nd Year Achievement; Victoria McCann, Personal Development; Lauren Miller, 2nd Year Personal Development; Kate Pantelione, Horse; Hailey Rosenberger, Personal Development; Colby Schalek, 3rd Year Personal Development; Nick Schalek, Leadership; Erin Schalick, Community Service; Amanda Schuler, 4th Year Rabbit; Sarah Schuler, 3rd Year Personal Development; Kelly Suter, Leadership; Caitlyn Tomlin, Personal Development; and Tessa Wozunk, Goat.
Adult volunteers make contributions of their time and expertise throughout the year by leading 4-H clubs, judging contests, caring for the 4-H fairgrounds, running the 4-H Fair and much more. The following club leaders were acknowledged with special pins and certificates for having served either one, five, 10, 15 or 20 years this year. First-year recipients were Jessica and Ben Anaya, Jen DeGenova, Patty Pantelione and Mark Robbins. Fifth-year honorees included Marlene Conover, Louise Sugar and Abby Sykes. Kathy Elwell and Beth Suter earned their 10th-year award, and Betsy Barry received her 20th-year award.
2016 Outstanding 4-H Members Annabella Halbruner, Tessa Wozunk and Mina LaFrance served as emcees for the special event. 4-H Program Coordinator Linda Horner expresses pride in all county 4-H youth members and volunteers. “Without the dedication of our adult volunteers, the 4-H program would not be possible. Because of their contributions to the program, 82 youth received at least one award this year. We are especially grateful to our 4-H Foundation under the leadership of President Ron Day for providing this day of celebration for us each year.”
Horner also thanked the 4-H program’s community partners, including Fletcher’s Corner, Cape Assist, Ocean Academy and Cape May County High School, Cape Christian Academy and NJ Audubon’s Nature Center of Cape May.
The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth grades K–13 on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, natural origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability.