Sussex 4-H honors achievement, service, volunteerism

Sussex County 4-H held its annual Achievement Event Sept. 30. More than 190 members and families attended and enjoyed the 4-H: Where Adventures Begin travel theme. Awards were given to youth and volunteers for their time and commitment to the Sussex 4-H program.

The Joy Sparks Spirit of 4-H Award was given to Sharon Anderson of Milton. Sparks was a lifelong 4-H member who embodied what it meant to be a 4-H’er using 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 Sparks’ spirit of 4-H alive. 

Anderson was chosen for her continued involvement and dedication to 4-H activities as a volunteer leader. Anderson’s first 4-H leadership role was as the Cloverbud Leader of Hollymount 4-H Club, which serves the Lewes and Milton area. She soon became the organizational leader of Hollymount, serving from 2006-16. She currently is the co-leader of the Sussex 4-H Dairy Club, and a current member and past officer of the 4-H Leaders’ Association. Under her leadership, the Hollymount 4-H Club focused on community service in such projects as beach cleanups, adopt-a-beach, Relay for Life, food basket drives and making Meals on Wheels tray favors. She also helped present leadership trainings to Sussex teens.

The recipient of the 2018 Friend of 4-H Award was Rep. Harvey Kenton, R-Milford, a longtime Delaware 4-H  supporter. Kenton said, “You listen to that pledge and combine the Golden Rule, and it personifies 4-H. I am so proud that I have been a small part of this program.”

Doug Crouse, State 4-H program leader, presented a certificate to National Congress participant Kyle Morris of Millsboro. Morris will travel to Atlanta to attend the National 4-H Club Congress in November.

Exploring 4-H Award winners were Brooke Taylor of Bridgeville and Sam Gossett of Lewes. Honorable Mentions went to Keira Fletcher of Lewes and Seth Wroten of Bridgeville.

The Leaders Association Scholarship Award is given to outstanding 4-H’ers, who receive a half scholarship to state 4-H camp or state conference. The winners of the 2017 scholarships were Jenna Anger of Bridgeville and Garrett Smith of Ellendale. Alternates were Destiny Carmona of Greenwood and Daniel Tull of Millsboro.

Sussex 4-H Order of Links scholarship awardees receive a full scholarship to Younger Member Weekend Camp. This year’s winners were Ruby DiSabatino of Frankford and Bradley Tomeski of Bridgeville. Alternates were Caydance Means of Seaford and Declan West of Milton.

Both the Phyllis Hill Memorial Award and the the Ida Layton Award went to Shawn Mitchell, a member of the Dublin Hill 4-H Club and outgoing president of Sussex 4-H Junior Council. He currently attends Frostburg State University.

The Barbara Taylor Memorial Award recognizes overall participation in events, especially public speaking and demonstrations. The recipient was Beth Krajewski of Lewes, and the alternate was Carter Bradley of Laurel. The winner receives a full scholarship to Younger Member Weekend.

The 4-H Spirit Awards recognize recipients for how they represent the 4 H’s (head, heart, hands, health) and 4-H spirit throughout the year. Five youths and one adult receive this award each year. Head Award recipient was Ruby DiSabatino of Frankford. Heart Award recipient was Zane Adams of Seaford. Hands Award recipient was Emma Sparpaglione of Georgetown. Health Award recipient was Kyle Morris of Millsboro. Youth Spirit Award recipient was Kylee Reynolds of Frankford. The Adult Spirit Award recipient was Jodie Gravenor of Millsboro.

Delaware Cooperative Extension administers 4-H through the University of Delaware and Delaware State University, equal opportunity institutions. For more information about Sussex County 4-H and to find a club, contact Jill Jackson, extension educator, at 302-856-7303 or jackson@udel.edu.

For more information and to view all of the award winners, go to http://extension.udel.edu/sussexconnection.