Sussex County 4-H presents annual awards

Sussex County 4-H held its annual achievement event Sept. 24, when more than 120 members and families attended and enjoyed the harvest nights theme. Various awards were given to youth and volunteers for their time and commitment to the Sussex 4-H program.

Doug Crouse, Delaware 4-H program leader, presented a certificate to national congress participant Kaitlyn Johnson of Selbyville. Johnson will travel to Atlanta in November 2022 to attend National 4-H Club Congress.

Exploring 4-H Awards for first-year participating members went to Lucas Marquez of Seaford and Emorie Jackson of Bridgeville. Honorable mentions went to Julia Freebery of Lewes and Raegan O’Day of Seaford.

The 2022 Leaders Association Scholarship was awarded to outstanding 4-H participant Bailey Fletcher of Lewes. The award takes into consideration completion of 4-H project work and project book, participation in county and state 4-H activities, community service and demonstration of leadership. Winners receive a scholarship for half the cost of admission to state 4-H camp or the state conference. 

Based on 4-H participation, Sussex 4-H Order of Links Scholarships went to Ella Marquez, Seaford; Lucas Marquez, Seaford; Joel Denham, Georgetown; and Raegan O’Day, Seaford. Each will a receive full scholarship to Younger Member Weekend Camp.

The 4-H Spirit Award recipients are recognized for how they represented 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. Recipients this year are: Head Award, Alyssa Carpenter, Seaford; Heart Award, Diamond Carmona, Greenwood; Hands Award, Raegan O’Day, Seaford; Health Award, Janet Shultie, Seaford; Youth Spirit Award, Ashlyn Elliott, Georgetown; and Adult Spirit Award, Carlene Jones, Dagsboro. Jones was also recognized for serving 62 years as a Sussex 4-H volunteer club leader.

The 2022 Joy Sparks Spirit of 4-H Award recipient was Melissa Mitchell of Greenwood. A 4-H alumna, Mitchell was honored for 23 years of volunteer 4-H leadership. She is a second-grade teacher in the Woodbridge School District and currently serves as the organizational leader of the Dublin Hill Yellow Jackets 4-H Club serving western Sussex. 

The 2022 Friend of 4-H Award recipient is is Old Paths Church of Christ in Georgetown, under the leadership of Frank and Debra Goehringer, who also serve as 4-H local club leaders. Welcoming Sussex 4-H to use its facility for many events, day camps, activities and meetings, Old Paths Church has allowed the Sussex 4-H programs to continue meeting safely in person.

Amy West presented the Phyllis Hill Memorial Award on behalf of the Hollymount 4-H Club of Lewes. Recipient Diamond Carmona of Greenwood is a member of the Harbor Lights 4-H Club.

Sponsored by the Layton family in honor of Ida Layton, a former 4-H leader and member of the Sussex County Horse Advisory, the 2022 Ida Layton Award went to Ashlyn Elliott of Georgetown. Ashlyn is a member of the Clover Knights 4-H Club and outgoing president of Sussex 4-H Junior Council.

To view all award winners, go to sites.udel.edu/sussexconnection.