Jackson County 4-H Volunteers and Youth Recognized for their Success
Click HERE to download a copy of the Awards Program!
On Saturday, August 24th, Jackson County’s many incredible 4-H volunteers and award-winning young people gathered to celebrate another successful year of 4-H programming.
In 2024, 125 adult volunteers served the youth of Jackson County as 4-H club leaders, 4-H committee members, Cloverbud activity directors, and more. Jackson County 4-H would not be successful without these adults who have given countless hours, days, months, and years to the betterment of the 4-H program. Volunteers are recognized by Ohio 4-H for every five years of service they give. In 2024, 38 volunteers were recognized for their years of service. Each volunteer was recognized with a certificate and gifted a commemorative 4-H gemstone pin in recognition of their years of service.
1st -Year Volunteers: Amy Brennan, Katie Butcher, Rachel Byler, Amanda Collier, Regina Erwin, Elizabeth Fannin, Elizabeth Harmon, Natalie Krannitz, Heather MacMaster, Emilee McFann, Beth McManis, Tiffany Metzler, Bailee Montgomery, Susan Rogers, Joshua Weiker, and Amanda Wells.
5-Year Volunteers: Roy Blackburn, Chris Callahan, Tamar Fulkerson, Andrea Hill, Andy Hoyt, Penny Parker, and Anna Zinn.
10-Year Volunteers: Charles Chambers, Tiffany Hoyt, Brandy Sharp, and Kathi Wilson.
15-Year Volunteers: Paula Stewart and Lora Wills.
20-Year Volunteers: Michael Clark, Tara Riley, Misty Sexton, Homer Shaw, and Sherri Wells.
30-Year Volunteers: Kelly Logan-Molihan.
45-Year Volunteers: Dale Gilliland and Karen Gilliland.
55-Year Volunteers: Elsie Rouse.
The Outstanding 4-H Volunteer of the Year is the highest honor bestowed upon Jackson County 4-H volunteers for recognition at the local level. The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions of service to the 4-H program and who have also made an important positive impact upon clubs, communities, the county and/or state 4-H program. The 2024 Outstanding 4-H Volunteer of the Year was Heather Callahan. Heather Callahan has served as a 4-H volunteer with the Ridge Runners 4-H Club for over 14 years. Heather has been a dedicated member of the Jackson County 4-H Advisory Council, where she has overseen the 4-H Advisory Council’s Food Booth for many years. She was an integral piece in partnering with the Kiwanis Club of Jackson to provide each child with a free meal from the 4-H food booth this year. Heather is loved by so many, and is an excellent friend, volunteer, and youth advisor. She has served thousands of young people during her time as a 4-H volunteer and is constantly seeking ways to make the best better. She is always looking to make decisions for the betterment of our program and serves others enthusiastically. Heather received a plaque honoring her years of service.
In addition to 4-H volunteer awards, several 4-H clubs were recognized for their success in 2024 as 4-H Honor Clubs. 4-H Honor Clubs are those 4-H clubs who accumulate a minimum of 1,000 points on the Honor Club Score Sheet. Points are acquired by participating in 4-H activities, completing community service, winning 4-H awards, and more. Honor Clubs are those 4-H clubs who have gone the extra mile to Make the Best Better in our county and are doing what they can to give their members an exceptional, well-rounded 4-H experience. An Honor Club award is a prestigious award and is bestowed upon the most dedicated and hardworking 4-H clubs in the county. Jackson County’s 2024 4-H Honor Clubs are: Hayseeds 4-H Club, Highlanders 4-H Club, Medallions 4-H Club, Totally Awesome Kids 4-H Club, and Ridge Runners 4-H Club.
The Totally Awesome Kids 4-H Club was awarded with the first-annual Outstanding 4-H Club Community Service Award. Outstanding 4-H Club Community Service Awards are meant to recognize clubs that use their hands to larger service in reaching out to their surrounding communities. 4-H clubs with outstanding quality and quantity community service projects will be recognized. The Totally Awesome Kids 4-H Club completed multiple service projects in 2024, including a large clean-up day at the Fairgrounds as well as packing and serving meals with Ladle of Love Soup Kitchen. The Totally Awesome Kids know the meaning of the third “H” and put their hands to larger service in big ways this year.
At the 2024 4-H Awards Banquet, several 4-H youths were recognized as well, including 4-H scholarship winners, Ohio State Fair delegates, and statewide award winners. Each year, outstanding 4-H members represent Jackson County in various project areas at the Ohio State Fair. This year, Jackson County had 8 4-H members win awards in their competitions.
Ranan Barton
- 8th Place Ranch Horsemanship (Horse Show).
- 5th Place Ranch Riding (Horse Show).
- 10th Place Ranch Trail (Horse Show).
- 4th Place Rally Novice B (Dog Show).
Brady Dailey
- 2nd place in class, Open Youth Market Gilts
- 4th place in class, Open Youth Market Gilts
Gage Farrar
- Participant in the Dean’s Charity Steer Show.
- Grand Champion 18-Year-Old Showman in Breeding Beef
Brooklyn Frisby
- Outstanding of the Day, You’re Hired!
Mira Judd
- Outstanding of the Day, Cake Decorating Beginner (Junior).
Hadley Montgomery
- Reserve Champion, Easy-Gaited Western Horsemanship (Horse Show).
- 6th Place Easy-Gaited English Pleasure (Horse Show).
Piper Montgomery
- 6th Place Easy-Gaited English Equitation (Horse Show).
Joslyn Riegel
- Outstanding of the Day, Explore the Outdoors.
- Outstanding of the Day, Start Spangled Foods.
Abby Thompson
- 9th Place Rally Intermediate A (Dog Show)
The program also congratulated two Jackson County 4-H members on their success as 2024 Ohio 4-H Achievement Award Winners. The Ohio 4-H Achievement Award application process includes a record of one’s entire 4-H career, an essay, and photo submissions. Compiling the information can take months of work. Applying for an Ohio 4-H Achievement Record is a very daunting task, as the competition is fierce across the state of Ohio. Placing in an Ohio 4-H Achievement Award is a huge honor and is known as the highest award one can receive in their 4-H project area.
Brady Dailey, a 10-year member of the Country Critters 4-H Club, won the National 4-H Dairy Conference Award. Brady was also selected as First Alternate for the Ohio 4-H Achievement Award for Sheep, and Second Alternate for the Ohio 4-H Achievement Award in Environmental Science. Brady will travel to Wisconsin next month to represent our county and Ohio 4-H at the National Dairy Conference, where he will learn about new innovations in the dairy industry. Brady is a member of the Jackson County Junior Fair Board, Junior Leaders Club, Jackson FFA, and a summer camp counselor.
Brooklyn Frisby, an 11-year member of the Jackson County Livestock 4-H Club, was selected as a winner of the highly competitive Ohio Township Association Local Government Award. This scholarship award recognizes individuals who are contributing citizens to their communities. Two award winners are selected annually by Ohio 4-H for the award – which is no small feat! Brooklyn was selected as the Second Alternate in 2023 for the Goats Achievement Award, and serves as Secretary of the Junior Fair Board, is a member of the Junior Leaders Club, and President of Wellston FFA.
4-H Senior Scholarship winners were recognized for their accomplishments as well.
- Cole Callahan - Jackson County 4-H Horse Committee Scholarship & Jackson County Livestock Committee Scholarship
- Madelyn Fannin - Ohio Valley Bank 4-H Scholarship
- Brooklyn Frisby - OTA Local Government Scholarship – Ohio 4-H Achievement Award
- Peyton Hill - Jackson County 4-H Advisory Council Scholarship & Jackson County Livestock Committee Scholarship
- Rebecca Shaw - Jackson County 4-H Advisory Council Scholarship & Janie Hatfield Memorial 4-H Scholarship
- Kerrigan Wilson - Jackson County Livestock Committee Scholarship
- Ramey Wyant - Corn Fed Crew 4-H Club Scholarship & Jackson County Livestock Committee Scholarship
Finally, two 4-H members were presented with Jackson County 4-H Achievement Awards. A County 4-H Achievement Award is an award that recognizes 4-H members for their involvement in the Jackson County 4-H Program and their participation in 4-H club, county, district, state, national and international events and activities. The award is meant to honor a 4-H member(s) for their performance, dedication, and passion for the 4-H program, and is presented to members who have shown growth and excellence in projects, leadership, citizenship, public speaking, and overall participation in 4-H learning experiences. The Jackson County 4-H Achievement Award is the highest 4-H Award an individual member can receive at the county level. In 2024, the Jackson Couty 4-H program recognized two inaugural award winners who have received a trophy award. A $50 donation to the Jackson County 4-H Endowment fund was made in each of their names ($100 in total) signifying their lasting impact on the 4-H program.
Madelyn Fannin is the daughter of Aaron and Rae Anne Fannin. She has been involved in the 4-H program at the county and state levels for 10 years, serving as a camp counselor, Junior Leader, Junior Fair Board President, and President of her 4-H Club. She is a member of the Four Mile Farmers 4-H Club and serves on the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council and Ohio State Junior Fair Board as secretary. Madelyn enthusiastically leads her peers and is always willing to try something new. Madelyn has had an excellent 4-H career, winning an Ohio 4-H Achievement Award in 2023 and attending the National 4-H Congress to represent Jackson County and Ohio 4-H. Madelyn has shown her dedication to the 4-H slogan, “Learning by Doing” and has completed a wide variety of 4-H projects and participated in a range of experiences. Most of all, Madelyn is kind, charismatic, and passionate about the 4-H program. She loves to serve others, and we hope that she will continue to serve 4-H as an alumnae.
Brooklyn Frisby is the daughter of Lisa and Tim Frisby. She is an 11-year member of the Jackson County Livestock 4-H Club, Secretary of the Junior Fair Board, and member of the Junior Leaders. She is a winner of the Ohio Township Association Local Government Award and was selected as the Second Alternate in 2023 for the Goats Achievement Award. Brooklyn is one of those teens who is always there when 4-H needs her. Brooklyn serves as a Youth Representative to the 4-H Advisory Council and is deeply committed to the 4-H program. Brooklyn has exhibited a wide variety of projects and has faced her fair share of challenges as a 4-H member. Brooklyn never fails to remain positive and forward thinking, and encourages her peers to do the same. Brooklyn works hard and puts intentional effort into her projects. She is an outstanding leader, which will serve her as she navigates life after 4-H youth programs.
The final award of the evening recognized an individual, family, group, business or corporation that supports the Jackson County 4-H Program in a charitable manner as the Jackson County Friend of 4-H Award. In 2024, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners were recognized. The Jackson County Board of Commissioners have worked diligently to bring additional funding to Jackson County OSU Extension, funding more professional development and positions within our local OSU Extension Office. Their support allows the Jackson County 4-H program to implement new programming, such as the carcass steer and hog competitions, 4-H CARTEENS, Clovers CODE STEM Education, and more. As individuals, each of them has supported our 4-H program through the Junior Fair Livestock Sale, Friends of 4-H Auction, and other fundraising efforts. We are grateful for the Board of Commissioners, Paul Haller, John Hensler, and Donnie Willis, for their continued support of the 4-H program.
4-H Extension Educator for Jackson County, Maddie Allman, would also like to recognize the many volunteers who dedicate months of their time to serving on Jackson County’s three 4-H Committees. Thank you to these volunteers, as the Jackson County 4-H Program would not be successful without you!
The Jackson County 4-H Advisory Council: 4-H Advisory Committees support and advise 4-H professionals about the current and future needs of county youth, volunteers and families in order to promote and foster involvement in 4-H Youth Development Programs. 2024 Jackson County 4-H Advisory Council members are Kristin Bierhup, Jenna Bowman, Brittany Carper, Laura Euton, Charlotte Johnson, Lissa Perkins-Warrens, Heather Callahan, Jill Fischer, Heidi Kisor, Erikka Marcum, Sallie Sexton, Mandy Simpson-Cooper, Kathi Wilson, Stacy Collins, Marla Folden, Cindy Moore, Mary Riegel, Tara Riegel-Riley, Mandy Ross, and Heather Simpson. Youth representatives are Makenzie Collins, Brooklyn Frisby, Grant Riegel, and Katie-Alaine Ross.
The Jackson County 4-H Livestock Committee supports livestock junior fair activities and operations through the administration, fundraising, and facilitation of the junior fair events in which 4-H members participate. 2024 Jackson County 4-H Livestock Committee members are Dale Gilliand, Angie Eisnaugle, Greg Roseberry, Jason Ross, Misty Sexton, Homer Shaw, Pam Updike, David Andrew Kisor, Clayton Lewis, Daniel Baker, Mick Scott, Jessica Taylor, Jason Dailey, Fuzzy Fulkerson, Angeleah Hill, Levi Matthews, Dave Moore, and Lora Wills. Auxiliary members include BJ Blackburn, Natalie Krannitz, Susan Rogers, Emily Ross, and Josh Weiker. Ex-officio members include Maddie Allman (4-H Extension Educator), Matt Bennett (Oak Hill FFA), Michael Clark (Jackson FFA), Kim Harless (Farm Bureau), Brenda Waulk (Wellston FFA), and Josh Winters (ANR Extension Educator). Youth representatives are Ali Barnett, Jordan Causey, Brooklyn Frisby, David Andrew Kisor, and Rebecca Shaw.
4-H Horse Committees support and advise 4-H professionals about the current and future needs of county 4-H horse programs to promote and foster involvement in the 4-H Youth Development Program through equine educational activities. The 4-H Horse Committee provides clinics and educational opportunities to 4-H horse exhibitors, fundraises on behalf of the horse program, and operates county 4-H horse events. Members of the 2024 Jackson County 4-H Horse Committee include Mandy Cooper-Simpson, Jeff Dyer, Josh Speakman, Debbie Willis, Amy Brennan, Brittany Gregory, Haley Sexton, and Rachel Byler. Youth representatives include Ranan Barton, Jordan Causey, and Josslyn Vickers.
And finally, thank you to the Banquet Planning Committee, Erikka Marcum and Lissa Perkins-Warrens, for their time, dedication, and facilitation of this event. It was exceptional – from Lissa’s amazing homecooked food to Erikka’s attention to detail while decorating, the event was a success because of you both.
To learn more about 4-H programming in Jackson County, visit Jackson.osu.edu or contact 4-H Extension Educator, Maddie Allman, at allman.68@osu.edu or by phone at (740) 286-5044.