Cottonwood Connections November 2023 | Page 5

Receiving Gold Certificates for their Project Record books were Faith Schmeidler – Int. Beef;  Lizzy Vajnar – Sr. Communications;  Layne Haffner – Jr. Clothing;  Alaina Yarmer – Int. Clothing;  Audrey Yarmer – Int. Dog;  Cannon Vajnar – Int. Entomology;  Brynlee Walter– Int. Foods;  Karci Kimzey – Int. Meat Goat;  Keeli Kimzey – Sr. Meat Goat;  Braelyn Dumler – Int. Photography;  Audrey Yarmer – Int. Poultry;  Sheena Klaus – Sr. Poultry;  Audrey Yarmer – Int. Recreation;  Alaina Yarmer – Int. Self-Determined; Grace A. Schmeidler – Sr. Self-Determined; Brynlee Walter – Int. Sheep;  Layne Haffner – Jr. STEM;  Brynlee Walter – Int. Visual Arts;  Bret Pope – Jr. Wood Science; and Kate Pope – Int. Wood Science. Senior Project Record winners will advance to the NW Area competition in January. 

Each 4-H Club in the county has the opportunity to nominate a business and an individual who they feel have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help Ellis Co. 4-H. The Ellis Co. 4-H Council makes the final decision on who to recognize as a “Friend of 4-H”.  This year’s individual Friend of 4-H goes to Tom & Marcy McClelland and this year’s business Friend of 4-H is Four Winds Veterinary Service– Sandy Sprague. Congratulations & thank you to these individuals for their dedication to and support of Ellis County 4-H youth.

All Ellis Co. 4-H members present received their certificate of completion and were awarded their membership pins based on the number of years and level of involvement in the local and statewide 4-H program activities. Club leaders and Shooting Sports instructors were also recognized for their dedication to the 4-H program.

The evening concluded with the 4-H Scholarship & Development Committee holding a silent and live auction to raise money for 4-H activities and graduating senior scholarships. If you would like to donate to the organization please contact our office at 785-628-9430. 

Grace A. Schmeidler was awarded the 2023 Rosemary Smith 4-H Scholarship given by her family in memory of long time 4-H Leader Rosemary Smith. Grace has served at many levels in her 4-H career to help promote 4-H. Her latest has been as a member of the Kansas State Youth Council and has chaired the 48 Hours of 4-H project.