MIDDLEBURY — Mary Hogan School in Middlebury hosted area 4-H’ers at the annual Addison County 4-H Achievement Night on Nov. 17.
The evening marked the culmination of the 4-H year, where members who have worked hard in their project areas received recognition for their efforts. Critter Creek 4-H Club of Addison and Mountain View 4-H Club of Bridport hosted the event, which was attended by 39 youths, 14 leaders and 17 guests. Emcees were Courtney Curler and Katherine Whipple, both from Bridport.
Salisbury 4-H’er Nicholas Sheldrick, a member of the Salisbury Swamp Riders, was named Outstanding Member of 2018. Three 4-H’ers received $50 each from the Addison County 4-H Foundation to be used for their projects: Wyatt Kennett of Middlebury, Lydia Raymond of Charlotte and Emma Reen of Lincoln.
Several awards based on project work and record books were presented to deserving youths throughout the evening. Certificates of Participation were given for a minimum of six to eight hours of work in a specific project with Certificates of Excellence for eight or more hours of project work including presentations beyond the club level.
To earn a medal, the 4-H’ers must have previously earned a Certificate of Excellence in that project, be enrolled in the project for more than two years and have participated beyond the club level. Certificates of Continued Achievement are presented to 4-H’ers for continued medal-level achievements after receipt of a medal.
For Achievement Night each club prepared a basket of items for a raffle with proceeds going to the Addison County 4-H Foundation. They also put together baskets for the Addison County Humane Society and HOPE in Middlebury. Everyone at the event voted for their favorite basket with the People’s Choice Award going to Mountain View 4-H Club, whose basket for the humane society contained a homemade cat tree and various treats.
The evening included a potluck dinner, Jeopardy-style game with questions on 4-H and projects presented by Mountain View 4-H’ers and a chance to correctly guess the number of objects in one of several jars to win that jar.
The following is a list of the night’s awardees.
CERTIFICATE OF CONTINUED ACHIEVEMENT
Community service: Bethany Orvis, Middlebury.
Dairy: Renee Bolduc, New Haven; Bethany Orvis, Middlebury; Michael Plouffe, Bridport and Averi Salley, Ferrisburgh.
Equine: Lauren Hodsden, Bridport and McKenna White, Shoreham.
MEDAL
Community service: Renee Bolduc, New Haven.
Dairy: Jonathan Flores-Torres, Bridport; Colin Foster, Middlebury; Isabelle Gilley, Bristol; Karissa Livingston, New Haven; Abigail Reen, Lincoln; Brianna VanderWey, Ferrisburgh and Morgan White, Shoreham.
CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
Beef: Natalie Atkins, Lincoln; Reigin Gracie, Bristol; and Michael Plouffe and Erin and Katherine Whipple, all from Bridport.
Community service: Natalie Atkins and Abigail Reen, both from Lincoln; Isabelle Gilley and Reigin Gracie, both from Bristol; Andrew Lester, Ferrisburgh; Brailey, Karissa, Mason and Ryle-Mae Livingston, New Haven and Michael Plouffe, Bridport.
Dairy: Calvin Almedia, Addison; Natalie Atkins, Lincoln; Courtney Curler and Emma Oliver, both from Bridport; Reigin Gracie, Bristol; Rosa Kehoe, Middlebury; Andrew Lester, Ferrisburgh and Brailey, Mason and Ryle-Mae Livingston, New Haven.
Equine: Catara Doner, Cornwall; Lea Krause, Addison; Emma Reen, Lincoln and Shyanne Wedge, Shoreham.
Food and Nutrition: Michael Plouffe, Bridport.
Leadership: Brianna VanderWey, Ferrisburgh.
CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION
Beef: Rosa Kehoe, Middlebury and Alexis Whipple, Bridport.
Community service: Colin Foster, Middlebury and Brianna VanderWey, Ferrisburgh.
Dairy: David Bertrand, Whiting and Dylan and Joe Mason, New Haven.
Equine: Randy Cameron and Serena Welch, both from Shoreham; Sadie James, Bristol; Olivia Quinn, Brandon and Sage and Shelby Stevers, New Haven.
Food and Nutrition: Jasmine Beenen, Addison.
Leadership: McKenna White, Shoreham.
Poultry: Nicholas Sheldrick, Salisbury.
Rabbit: Georgia Kruse, Addison.
Sewing: Alexis Whipple, Bridport.
In addition, high horse points awards were presented to high achievers in the equine project. Points are determined by individual rankings at three club horse shows during the year, although 4-H’ers also need to submit completed record books to qualify.
Winners were:
Beginner
Champion: Sage Stevers, New Haven. Reserve Champion: Randy Cameron, Shoreham.
Advanced Beginner
 Champion: Shelby Stevers, New Haven.
Junior
Champion: Sadie James, Bristol. Reserve Champion: Emma Reen, Lincoln.
Senior: Champion: McKenna White, Shoreham. Reserve Champion: Lauren Hodsden, Bridport.
Several adult leaders were recognized for their years of service. They were:
5 years: Erin Farr, Richmond; Krista Hunt, Vergennes; Barbara Palmer, Weybridge and Cady White, Shoreham.
10 years: Heather Mattison, Whiting and Jill Wade, New Haven.
15 years: Kylie Chittenden, Shoreham.
20 years: Cindy Kayhart, New Haven.
25 years: Kathy Nisun and Susan Quesnel, both from Salisbury.
40 years: Diane Norris, Shoreham.
To learn more about 4-H in Addison County, contact Martha Seifert, UVM Extension 4-H educator, at 802-388-4969, ext. 355.