Cheyenne County 4-H Achievement Banquet

4 -H'ers and their families celebrated their 2014 accomplishments during the annual Cheyenne County 4-H Achievement Banquet on Sunday, Nov. 9. 4-H members and leaders were recognized for their achievements.

Outstanding 4-H'ers for 2014 were Raychel Thomas and Ethan Nelson. This award is presented to high school seniors who have excelled in their involvement in the Cheyenne County 4-H program. Selection is based on participation in 4-H activities. Thomas is the daughter of Tim and Becky Thomas of Sidney. Nelson is the son of Ellen and Gene Nelson of Dalton.

Will Castner, son of Ralph and Kim Castner, received the William Danforth "I Dare You" Leadership award for service and leadership to the 4-H program. It's awarded on behalf of the American Youth Foundation to juniors or seniors who strive to achieve their personal best and make a positive difference in their community.

Dominic Beyer, son of of Mike and Melinda Beyer, received the Chad Nienhueser Memorial 4-H Scholarship. The scholarship encourages recipients to explore learning opportunities outside of Cheyenne County.

Five 4-H'ers were selected to represent the county in the state career portfolio contest: Dominic Beyer – Animal Science; Will Castner – Citizenship; Caitlyn Deal – Plant Science & Personal Development; Jeffrey Deal – Animal Science and Plant Science; and Zachery Deal – Plant Science and Personal Development.

Randy and Terri Faessler of St. George Ranch were this year's recipients of the Friend of 4-H award. This award recognizes individuals or businesses for their support of the 4-H program. For several years, the Faesslers have donated the use of their cattle to the Sidney Wranglers 4-H Club for the working ranch horse competition at fair.

The 4-H Diamond Clover Program is a statewide program that encouraged 4-H'ers to participate in a variety of projects and activities. Everyone who participates is eligible to earn recognition. Youth progress from Level 1 to Diamond Level 6.

This year's recipients are: Diamond Clover Recipients: Level 1 Amethyst – Allison Lofton and Brayden Weinbender; Level 2 Aquamarine – Felicity Beyer and Rhegan Devier; and Level 6 Diamond – Ethan Nelson.

4-H'ers recognized as having the best 4-H career portfolio in their respective project areas received certificates, project pins and project scholarships for their accomplishments. These 4-H'ers and their project areas are:

Juniors: Sidney Allard – Wildlife Conservation, Madeline Ball – Rabbit, Clothing and Textiles, Aerospace

Taylyn Bauer – Horse, Lorien DeMasters – Food and Nutrition, Clothing and Textiles, Fashion Revue, Dyson Grabowski – Beef and Shooting Sports, Zackry Henke-Swine, Science and Technology, Kord McMillen – Beef and Shooting Sports, Emily Miller – Beef, Swine and Goat, Rowen Morgan – Shooting Sports, Ansley Svoboda – Poultry and Goat, Lacie Vach – Horse, Dog and Clothing and Textiles, Brayden Weinbender – Horse.

Intermediate Project Winners: Chaz Bauer – Horse and Photography, Felicity Beyer – Rabbit, Presentations and Home Environment, Matthias Beyer – Aerospace, Electricity, Technology and Engineering, Drake DeMasters – Swine, Presentation and Aerospace, Destinee Henke – Clothing and Textiles and Fashion Revue, Danielle Higgins – Sheep, Photography, Food and Nutrition, Clara Kokjer – Sheep and Swine, Harrison Kokjer – Goat, Ella Miller-Beef, Swine and Goat, Caitlyn Mueller-Dog, Clothing and Textiles, Taylinn Svoboda – Sheep

Senior Project Winners: Dominic Beyer – Sheep, Swine and Goat, Will Castner – Swine Citizenship and Public Speaking, Caitlyn Deal – Poultry, Leadership and Plant Science, Jeffrey Deal – Poultry, Leadership and Plant Science, Zachery Deal – Leadership and Plant Science, Katelyn Higgins – Beef, Seep Food and Nutrition, Thomas Kokjer- Swine, Seth McMillen – Beef and Citizenship, Ethan Nelson – Achievement and Personal Development, Brody Morgan – Agriculture and Photography, Tapanga Spencer – Poultry and Home Environment

4-H Council members were recognized for their service: Mike Beyer, Robb McMillen, Kip Miller, Heather Miller, Whitney Hurt, Teresa Smith, Lisa Christensen and Greg Stevens. Youth members were Zack Deal, Seth McMillen, Matthias Beyer, Riley Christensen and Will Castner.

Receiving recognition for milestone membership years were five-year members: Danielle Higgins, Harrison Kokjer, Quentin Miller, Shelby Miller, Ashlyn Roelle, and Savannah Shaw; and 10-year member: Sarah Mahr.

Kip Miller and Shelby Roelle were recognized for five years of volunteering and Donna Mahr for 20 years of service as a 4-H volunteer.

Two clubs were recognized for meeting the criteria as a Nebraska Club of Excellence: Lucky Livestock and Junior Leaders.

Two clubs received $500 grants from the Governor's Award of Excellence: Bunker Hillbillies and Junior Leaders.