Sussex County 4-H celebrates youth achievements, adult volunteer leaders

 Sussex County 4-H held its 2024-25 Fiesta Achievement Event Sept. 28, at Ross Station in Seaford. This annual event recognizes the outstanding efforts of 4-H members and volunteer leaders from the past year. 

The Friend of 4-H Award honors individuals or organizations who contribute significantly to Sussex 4-H. This year’s recipient was the Scott/Bennington Family. This family has been a part of Sussex 4-H for generations and continues to give back to 4-H in various ways. Teresa Scott Bennington served as a county leader for 22 years and the State 4-H camp nurse for many years. Katie Scott Kimbro is a 4-H educator in Tennessee. Daughters Krista Scott Wing and Kimberlyn Scott Lewis are volunteer leaders for the Sycamore 4-H Club serving the greater Laurel area. Kaleb Scott works and volunteers at the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension as the Sussex 4-H administrative assistant.

Kaitlyn Johnson of Selbyville earned the coveted 4-H Diamond Clover Award for her service project, Joy for Tots, that provided 660 fun activity packets to the George Washington Carver Early Learning Center.

Gina Anger of Bridgeville was honored with the 2025 Joy Sparks Spirit of 4-H Award, named for a former state 4-H program leader. Sparks was a lifelong 4-H member and 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.  Anger’s long list of 4-H volunteerism spanning 18 years was noted.

Several 4-H’ers were honored for their participation in national competitions. The National Ignite Summit, held in Washington, D.C., featured Juliette Anger of Bridgeville, Sedona Ashman of Dagsboro, Lillie Bradley of Laurel and Hanna Holland of Millsboro. Participants in the National 4-H LifeSmarts, held in Chicago, were Sedona Ashman, Dagsboro; Caydance Means and Embrey Means, Seaford; and Cassidy White, Dagsboro. Middle School LifeSmarts participants included Matthew Johnson and Kamilla Santos De Luna, Selbyville; Kathryn Cabrera Icte, Seaford; and John Roman Nehrbas, Lewes.

New inductees to the Sussex County Order of the Links, the 4-H alumni organization, were Amy Denham, Georgetown; Kaitlyn Johnson, Selbyville; Kyle Kerr, Bridgeville; and Ainsley West, Milton.

The Exploring 4-H project is designed for first-year 4-H’ers from 8 to 12 years old. Top awards went to Owen Jackson, Bridgeville, and Eli Wing, Seaford. Macie Richard, Laurel, and Milo Podlaseck, Seaford, received honorable mentions.

The 4-H Spirit Awards, like those given at State 4-H Camp, are bestowed upon five members and one adult who represent the head, heart, hands, health and 4-H spirit throughout the year. This year’s winners were Embrey Means, Seaford; Kyree Muse, Laurel; Ella Marquez, Seaford; Keira Fletcher, Lewes; and Rebecca Johnson, Selbyville.

4-H is part of the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension and is an equal opportunity provider.

For more information about Sussex County 4-H, contact Jill Jackson, extension educator, at 302-831-3280.