September 4, 2017 - At the recent 4-H Kick-off event, Shelby County Extension agents Lane Dunn and Jheri-Lynn McSwain presented youth members with the “I Dare You” award and county-level “Gold Star” award. The “I Dare You” awards were presented to Wesley Wages of Center 4-H Club, son of Bryan and Dee Wages, and Lance Holloway of Center 4-H Club, son of John Henry and Chelsea Holloway.
Wesley is active in the 4-H poultry, goat and heifer projects and has been a member of 4-H for six years. He has shown livestock at the county-level and at numerous major state shows and placed in these shows. Wesley also serves as the Shelby County 4-H Club secretary and maintains all A’s in school while staying active in tennis, band, Beta Club and the First Baptist Church youth group.
Lance is an active participant in the shooting sports (shotgun and archery), virtual fishing, swine, outdoor challenge and photography projects and has been a 4-H member for six years. He has competed at county, district and state level contests, winning several awards in all projects in which he has participated. In addition, Lance placed 2nd at the District Recordbook judging in the Intermediate Division of Shooting Sports.
These two young people have shown leadership and a willingness to always help in time of need. They are both very active in the 4-H program participating in numerous projects and community service activities.
The county-level “Gold Star” awards were presented to Loren Vandrovec of Shelbyville 4-H Club, daughter of Bob and Stacey Vandrovec, and Blake Griffin of Center 4-H Club, son of Robert and Melody Griffin.
Loren is an active member in several horse project events, including barrels, poles, drill, stakes race, team penning, ranch sorting, and trail and western riding. She has also been involved in horse judging and horse quiz bowl. Over her 8-year membership in 4-H, she has also participated in poultry, food, textiles and photography projects. She has provided leadership as the president, vice president, and treasurer of the Shelbyville 4-H Club. Loren is a junior at Shelbyville High School.
Blake has been a member of Center 4-H Club for the past 10 years and has been an active participant in showing steers, poultry, shooting sports, and horse projects. He is currently the vice president of the Shelby County 4-H Club and has been a presenter, demonstrating roping skills for the past two years at Agriculture Education Day. Blake has shown livestock at county show and has won numerous awards in the horse project at the district and state levels. He recently earned the title of “Top Hand” in roping, receiving a saddle for this honor. Blake is a senior at Center High School and plans to pursue a degree in ranch and farm management after graduation.
The “Friend of 4-H” award was presented to Hawkeye Hunting Club and its owners Mr. and Mrs. Mark Brueggeman and their son Kevin. Fairly new to Shelby County, they started off by helping the shooting sports project allowing 4-H to utilize their facility for shotgun practices. In addition, they have actively participated in the county livestock show and sale and East Texas Poultry Festival broiler sale by sponsoring several youth projects.
Please help us in congratulating and recognizing the efforts of these youth and supporters of Shelby County 4-H. If you have any questions regarding the 4-H program, feel free to contact us at 936-598-7744.
