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From left: Jorja Bessonett, Riley Carroll, Mickey Barker, Ethan George, Greg Anglin, Jeffrey Stewart, Robert Newsom, Savannah Allen, Wade Bartley, Johnanna Hicks, Joe Price, Mario Villarino -
Lonnie Fox receives bluebonnet seeds from Johanna Hicks for being 4H's supporter of the year
Record keeping, scholarships among awards
Hopkins County 4H appeared before the Commissioners Court on Monday to receive commendations and present members with awards for record keeping, scholarships and more.
“As y’all know… a lot of our 4H events have been cancelled,” county 4H coordinator and AgriLife extension agent Johanna Hicks told the commissioner’s court. “But, our members have found other ways to excel.”
The court, Hicks and county extension agent Mario Villarino welcomed 4H members of the record-keeping division. Students who achieved excellence in record-keeping were: Jorja Bessonnet with fourth place in health and personal safety, Rylie Carroll with first in consumer education, and Ethan George with first place in health and personal safety.
The group also awarded the Jaime Crump 4H Memorial Scholarship to Jeffrey Stewart. Stewart participated in shooting sports throughout his time in 4H, traveling throughout the state and even throughout the U.S. to compete. Stewart was a 4H officer and camp leader, and exhibited his shooting skills at Heritage Park. The scholarship is designed to reward those who have excelled in 4H in all levels, Hicks said.
The group also awarded the William H. Danforth “I Dare You” Award to Savannah Allen and Jorja Bessonett. The award was founded in 1941 to influence young people to achieve their highest potential and encourage their peers to do the same through their lives of service, Hicks said. Allen and Bessonett fit this criteria perfectly, according to Hicks.
Hicks and Villarino also presented Civic Center director Lonnie Fox with their supporter of the year award. From Ag in the Classroom to preparing for the Equine Club, Fox helps 4H organize many events, Villarino said. Villarino presented Fox with bluebonnet seeds as a token of appreciation.
The Judge and Commissioners were proud to receive the students and supporters, they said.
“You always surprise us how you do so much, even during a pandemic,” Pct. I commissioner Mickey Barker joked.
In fact, all of the commissioners and judge had been in 4H themselves, they said. Commissioner Pct. 4 Joe Price reminisced with those present about one of the first times he left Gafford Chapel community for the 4H demonstration team, where he exhibited how to insulate electrical wiring at the regional meet in Tyler. Commissioner Pct. 3 Wade Bartley was in the organization starting around 7 years of age, and got to see the evolution of the program over time.
“These kids are the cream of the crop, these are the very top of the young people in our county,” County Judge Robert Newsom stated. “Year after year… 4H produces the… best leaders we have to have in the future. I’m looking to some of y’all, you’re going to lead this nation.”