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Download PDF of Awards Book

​Kankakee County 4-H Awards 2019-2020

Congratulations to all of the 4-H youth on their awards over the last year!

Welcome New officers!

CONGRATULATIONS new officers for the Kankakee County 4-H Federation Club!  The new officers have been chosen for the coming year. This is an honor and big responsibility. They have the responsibility of preserving the honor and dignity of 4-H.  Good officers pledge their “Hands” to the service. They must be willing to accept these responsibilities, the confidence and trust given to them by their fellow members.

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President Zoe Buza

The President is the he highest honor. It is Zoe's duty to call the meeting to order, preside and direct the business meeting. The enthusiasm and effectiveness of Federation will depend largely on how well the Zoe fulfills her responsibilities. 
 
As Parliamentarian, it is Zoe's job to help members and leaders learn how to conduct an orderly meeting and provide advice for motions, procedures of the meeting, and other parliamentary items.

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Vice President/Recreation Kylie Maas

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As Vice President, Kylie's duty is to provide guidance and counsel to all committees as they make plans and decisions.  Kylie will also be responsible for planning programs, inviting guest speakers, or assigning members to organize group programs.  Kylie will work closely with the president, leaders and other officers in planning all club activities. Kylie will preside at meetings in the temporary absence of the president.
 
As Recreation officer, Kylie's responsibility is to make recreation a part of the Federation meetings and make a special effort to consider the health and safety of all individuals.  Kylie will work with other 4-H officers in planning interactive experiences with people in the group.

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Treasurer Jon Blanchette 

As Treasurer, Jon must receive and be responsible for all Federation money and keep an accurate record of all money received and its source, all money paid and to whom and for what.  As part of Jon's important responsibilities, Jon is responsible for paying bills only when approved by Federation and giving a treasurer’s report at each club meeting.


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Natalie Morris, Secretary/Reporter

As Reporter, it is Natalie's job to inform others about Federation news and achievements. Natalie can do much to increase interest in 4-H by writing articles about meetings and special events for the newspaper and county 4-H newsletter.  

As Secretary, Natalie is responsible for keeping accurate minutes of all meetings, reading the minutes at the monthly meeting, calling the roll, keeping attendance and handling all club correspondence. 

Club Awards

Illinois Standards of Excellence for 4-H Clubs ​

Clubs Achieving 11 Standards of Excellence – Momence Troopers 
Clubs Achieving 14 Standards of Excellence – St. George Dragons 
Clubs Achieving 14 Standards of Excellence – Town & Country

​Club Window Displays for National 4-H Week

Cabery Specials
Chebanse Ag
Momence Troopers
St. George Dragons
Town & Country
                                        
All clubs who participated in Window Display received a monetary award from the Kankakee County 4-H Federation Club.​

Outstanding Treasurer Books ​

All Around Kids                                                     
Cabery Specials

Grant Park LLSS                                                  
Herscher Hustlers

Limestone Leaders 
Momence Troopers

St George Dragons
Town & Country

Manteno Best Pioneers                                       ​

Outstanding Secretary Books ​

Manteno Monarchs
Momence Troopers
St George Dragons
Town & Country 

County Awards

Outstanding Completed Records

Listed below are all 4-H’ers that turned in a complete set of 4-H records.  
  • Cabery Specials - Shelby Basham
  • Chebanse Ag - Charlie Kaack                                           
  • Grant Park LL SS - Clayton McKinstry, Shelby McKinstry, Cailin Perez, Abigail Roberts, Alexis Roberts, Allison Roberts, Alexis Thompson,           Taggrart Thompson, Elizabeth Voigt, Emily Voigt 
  • Herscher Hustlers - Zoe Buza
  • Manteno Monarchs - Alex Lyle, Emily Lyle, Allison Savoie, Brooke Savoie, Molly Savoie  
  • Momence Troopers - Jake Costello, Kaitlyn Costello, McKinley Parchim, Samantha Ramirez
  • St Anne Sprouts - Joseph Butzen
  • Town & Country - Matthew Gereaux   

Experience Awards

​Listed below are the 4-H’ers that received Experience Awards
  • Bronze - Emily Lyle, Manteno Monarchs
  • Silver - McKinley Parchim, Momence Troopers
  • Experience Recognition - Emily Voigt, Grant Park LL SS

Elizabeth Voigt, GPLLSS – Applied for State Emerald Experience Award and is being judged. 

Cloverbud Exhibitors

  • Annabelle Cieszynski, MCC
  • Tate Goers, HHC
  • Leah Grider, MMT
  • ​Leslie Grider, MMT

Chicagoland Food Science Foundation Award

Cailin Perez, GPLLSS           ​

County Medal Winner

Needed 75 point to receive award

Joseph Butzen, SAS – Animal Science, Blue Award
Jacob Costello, MT - Environment and Natural Resources, Blue Award


 “I Dare You” Award  ​​

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Awarded to Samantha Ramirez
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This young member was born to be in 4-H.She attended her first meeting around two weeks of age. She is the youngest of five siblings, some of them were in 4-H already when she was born. The club really got to see her grow up from her ornery years, her shy middle years, to the beautiful confident young lady she is coming to be.  This member volunteers for everything our club does. She is very talented. She encourages and helps other members in the club and at the fair. This 4-Her explores many different projects each year besides her contents--Poultry, Visual Arts, and Photography. Several of her projects have been selected to be shown at the State Fair. Her records are always Outstanding. She has been Club Treasurer the last three years and has held other offices over the years. 

This member is a member of every band her school has along with choir and Drama Club.  She recently started playing the violin.  She is in the National Honors Society and FFA. Outside of school this member belongs to the Tri-K Pigeon and Bantam Club. With this award we dare you to share your confidence and talent with others.

 “I Dare You” Award  ​

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Awarded to Shelby Basham

Shelby Basham is a valuable member to our 4-H club; she has served in many leadership roles within our club as a junior leader, and treasurer this past year. She has done a wide variety of projects during her 4-H career. Besides her beef project she has shown dogs, clothing, foods, various general projects and public speaking. She represents our area on two statewide groups as a member of the Speaking for Illinois 4-H team and a member of the 4-H State Livestock Ambassador team. In our county, she has been a member of our youth beef team, which helps set up and organize our county beef shows and a youth member of our Extension Council.

Shelby is the type of member who is open for new experiences and is willing to try new adventures. She also has been very active at her school as a Student Council member all four years and president her junior year and senior year. She was also the Prairie 8 District Student Council Vice President her junior and senior year, class president for 3 years, prom committee chair, and played basketball for two years. She participated in the school fall musical plays for four years and has been in the drama plays for three years. She has also been a member of National Honor Society, Spanish Club, SADD/Project Ignition, and Best Buddies. She has also been on the high honor roll all four years. FFA is a large passion of hers as she is currently serving as her Section President. She also received her State degree this past summer and served on the Major State Officer selection committee this past spring. In her chapter she has been on the leadership team for three years and received the chapter Greenhand award her freshman year and chapter star farmer her sophomore year. She has won her section public speaking contest the last two years and has won the section Job Interview contest and competed at the state level this past summer. She was also the section Beef Placement proficiency winner this past year and was on the section winning Vet Science team. Through FFA she has also participated in various community service activities such as kid’s day on the farm, food drive, winter clothing drive, and lessons on agriculture in the classroom.

She is a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Chebanse, Illinois and has assisted at church sunrise Easter breakfast and bible school. She also maintains a part-time job at Prairieview Nursing Home in the Dietary department.  She was selected to attend Purdue University’s Agriculture Discovery Program for two weeks summer of 2018 and was selected to attend Eastern Illini Electric Cooperatives Youth to Washington Trip Summer of 2019.This past summer she was selected as a Girls State Delegate Summer of 2020(unable to occur due to COVID).

​She is a very busy lady as you can see but she is truly a kind spirit and has great empathy and compassion for others and their feelings. Shelby’s leadership skills have expanded greatly these last few years and I look forward to seeing how she grows as she plans to attend either Purdue or Iowa State next fall majoring in Agriculture Communications.

kankakee County Key Award 

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Awarded to Jacob Costello

​This 4-H member has shown content leadership during his 4-H years.  He has led his club as President the last 3 years and recruited new club members while he was club Reporter.  He has continuously chaired or contributed to many committees. The only club event he has missed was because he was at a FFA Leadership Conference.  This 4-Her encourages, challenges young members and leads by example always writing Outstanding Records.  He goes above and beyond by applying for the County/Blue Awards and the Illinois Experience Gold Award. 

He gives talks and does demonstrations on his projects, completes his projects and represents his club at the State Fair.  This member is involved in community, church, and school activities.  In the community he has volunteered at Community Clean Up Days, the Community Auctions, and he is a blood donor. His extra-curricular activities at school include Basketball, Bass Fishing, National Honors Society, and FFA. He is vice president of his chapter. School extra-curricular activities now days have to be self-supporting.

Jake has helped with plant sales, served brat meals and spaghetti dinners, and sold a variety of goods.  Jake has helped his grandpa and uncle at their greenhouse for many years doing age appropriate jobs. The last couple years he has been helping his uncle full time in the summers.  During the COVID shutdown of school Jake has worked full time and does his school at night. He has bought a used jeep and maintains it with wages earned and now is saving for college. He would like to study Agricultural Mechanical Engineering.

Congratulations on your award!

​Judging Events Winners

​​4-H Breeding Beef Champions
  • Angus Reserve Champion Female – Ty Halpin, TC
  • Hereford Champion Female – Aidan Knobloch, HH
  • Shorthorn Champion Female – Emily Voigt, GPLLSS
  • Grand Champion Overall Heifer – Kankakee County Born & Raised – Emily Voigt, GPLLSS
  • Hereford Champion Steer – Peyton Richie, CS                                
  • Hereford Reserve Champion Steer – Kaylyn Bauer, CS
  • Crossbreed Champion Steer – Kylie Saathoff, MBP
  • Crossbreed Reserve Champion Steer – Ty Halpin, TC
  • All Other Breed Champion Steer – Peyton Richie, CS
  • Grand Champion Steer – Kylie Saathoff, MBP
  • Reserve Grand Champion Steer – Peyton Richie, CS
  • Grand Champion Overall Market Steer Kankakee County Born & Raised–Clayton McKinstry, GPLLSS
  • Reserve Grand Champion Overall Market Steer Kankakee County Born & Raised-Clayton McKinstry, GP     
                       
4-H Market Beef Champions
  • Hereford Steer – Clayton McKinstry, GPLLSS
  • Shorthorn Steer – Clayton McKinstry, GPLLSS
  • Grand Champion– Clayton McKinstry, GPLLSS
  • Reserve Grand Champion – Clayton McKinstry, GPLLSS
 
4-H Dairy Cattle Champions
  •  Holstein Champion – Colin Saathoff, MBP
           
4-H Dog Champions
  • Beginner Novice I –Georgia Cash, TC
  • Beginner Novice II – Kaitlyn Costello, MT
  • Pre Novice – Sophia Dubravec, SGD
  • Graduate Novice – Joseph Butzen SAS
  • Agility I – Kaitlyn Costello, MT
  • Agility II – Sophia Dubravec, SGD
  • Rally Novice – Sophia Dubravec, SGD
           
4-H Horse and Pony Champions
  • Senior Showmanship – Gwenyth Jackubowski, LL
  • Junior Showmanship – Cole Jackubowski, LL
  • Novice Showmanship – Edward Smaga, LL
  • Master Showman – Gwenyth Jackubowski, LL
  • Alternate Master Showman – Tyler Smaga, LL
  • Best Groomed Horse or Pony– Jessie Smaga, LL
  • Grand Champion Horse – Cole Jackubowski, LL
  • Reserve Grand Champion Horse – Edward Smaga, LL
  • Best Mini Halter – Edward Smaga, LL
  • Horse Halter Mare – Jessie Smaga, LL
  • Horse Halter Gelding – Michalina Riston, HH
  • Bareback Walk/Trot – Gwenyth Jackubowski, LL
  • Bareback Pleasure Class – Jessie Smaga, LL
  • Western Walk/Trot (Must be 10 years of age or less) – Michalina Riston, HH
  • Western Walk/Trot (Must be 11 years or older) – Gwenyth Jackubowski, LL
  • Senior Western Pleasure Class (Exhibitor must be 11 years or over) – Gwenyth Jackubowski, LL
  • Junior Western Pleasure Class (Exhibitor must be 10 years and under)– Michalina Riston, HH
           
4-H Poultry Champions
  • Best of Breed – American Breeds – Kaitlyn Costello, MT
  • Best of Breed – Mediterranean Breeds – Pippa Dunnill, HH
  • Best of Breed – Asiatic Breeds – Jonathon Blanchette, SGD
  • Best of Breed – English Breeds – Pippa Dunnill, HH
  • Best of Breed – Continental Breeds – Pippa Dunnill, HH
  • Best of Breed – All Other Breeds – Kaitlyn Costello, MT
  • Best of Breed – Barnyard or Commercial – Kaitlyn Costello, MT
  • Best Overall Standard – Jonathon Blanchette, SGD
  • Best of Breed – Feather Legged Bantams – Jonathon Blanchette, SGD
  • Best of Breed – Game Bantams – Samantha Ramirez, MT
  • Best Overall   – Bantams – Samantha Ramirez, MT
  • Best of Breed – Bantam Ducks – Samantha Ramirez, MT
  • Best of Breed – Standard Duck – Jonathan Blanchette, SGD
  • Best Overall Waterfowl – Samantha Ramirez, MT
  • Best of Breed – Pheasants –Pippa Dunnill, HH
  • Best of Breed – Any Other Wildlife Birds – Pippa Dunnill, HH
  • Best Overall Wildlife – Pippa Dunnill, HH
  • Champion Eggs – Kaitlyn Costello, MT

 4-H Rabbit Champions
  • Junior Showmanship –Pyper Johnston, CS
  • Senior Showmanship –Charlie Kaack, CA
  • Grand Champion Meat Pen – Pyper Johnston, CS
  • Grand Champion Single Fryer – Mitchell Bauer, KWK
  • Reserve Grand Champion Single Fryer –Arthur Bauer, KWK
  • Grand Champion Rabbit – Landon Hertz, HH
  • Reserve Grand Champion Rabbit – Charlie Kaack, CA
  • Best of Breed – Californians – Pyper Johnston, CS
  • Best of Breed – Dutch –Charlie Kaack, CA
  • Best of Breed – Florida Whites – Landon Hertz, HH
  • Best of Breed – Mini Lops – Mitchell Bauer, KWK
  • Best of Breed – New Zealands – Jonathon Blanchette, SGD
  • Best of Breed – Netherland Dwarfs – Landon Hertz, HH
  • Best of Breed – Holland Lops – Landon Hertz, HH
  • Pet Rabbit – Charlie Kaack, CA
 
4-H Sheep Champions
  • Grand Champion Wether – Cole Saathoff, MBP
  • Reserve Grand Champion Wether – Cole Saathoff, MBP
  • Grand Champion Market Ewe Lamb – Kylie Adams, CA
  • Reserve Grand Champion Market Ewe Lamb – Mackenzie Adams, CA
           
4-H Wether Lamb Carcass Champions
  • Grand Champion – Rowan Dunnill, HH
  • Reserve Grand Champion – Pippa Dunnill, HH

Master Showman
  • Horse – Gwenyth Jackubowski, LL
                                                                        

State Fair Delegates

​Clothing & Textiles
  • Emma Schnitzler, MBP, Del.

Communications – Public Speaking
  • Michael Gereaux, TC, Del.
  • Emma Schnitzler, MBP, Del.       
 
Dogs                           
  • Abigail Carstens, MT, Del.
  • Sophia Dubravec, SGD, Del.                                                         
  • Ainsley Martin, MBP, Del.
  • Shelby Basham, CS, Alt.
  • Kaitlyn Costello, MT, Del.
  • Zakkary Lux, AAK, Del.
 
Entomology
  • Zoey Cieszynski, MM, Del.                                     
  • Allison Savoie, MM, Alt.
  • Molly Savoie, MM, Alt.

Foods & Nutrition       
  • Emily Lyle, MM, Del.
  • McKinley Parchim, MT, Del.
  • Kaitlyn Costello, MT, Alt.
  • Cailin Perez, GPLLSS, Alt.

Forestry
  • Allison Savoie, MM, Del.                                   
  • Emily Voigt, GPLLSS, Alt.

Horticulture
  • Matthew Gereaux, TC, Del.
 
   Interior Design
  • Evelyn Goers, HH, Del.
                                                        
 Natural Resources
  • Brooke Savoie, MM, Del.
                                                                                
 Photography
  • Zoe Ault, HH, Del.
  • Cailin Perez, GPLLSS, Alt.
  • Samantha Ramirez, MT, Alt.
  • Sophia Dubravec, SGD, Del.
  • Elizabeth Voigt, GPLLSS, Alt.
  • Alexis Roberts, GPLLSS, Alt.
                     
Veterinary Science
  • Joseph Butzen, SAS, Del.
                                          
Visual Arts
  • Zoey Cieszynski, MM, Del.
  • Aidan Cote, AAK, Del.
  • Kaitlyn Costello, MT, Del.
  • Olivia Tamblyn, MBP, Alt.
  • Sophia Dubravec, SGD, Del.
  • Kaylee Cote, AAK, Alt.
  • Sophia Dubravec, SGD, Del.
  • Kylie Maas, SGD, Alt.
  • Sophia Dubravec, SGD, Del. 
  • Allison Roberts, GPLLSS, Alt.
  • McKinley Parchim, MT, Del.
  • Zakkary Lux, AAK, Alt.
  • Emily Pierce, MM, Del.
  • Allison Tamblyn, MBP, Alt.
  • Kaylee Cote, AAK, Del.
  • Samantha Tamblyn, MBP, Alt.
              
Weather
  • Elizabeth Voigt, GPLLSS, Del.
 
Woodworking
  • Matthew Gereaux, TC, Del.

Illinois State Fair Results For Kankakee County

​Photography – Zoe Ault, HH    Award of Excellence, Inspire Award
Veterinary Science – Joseph Butzen, SAS   Award of Excellence, Champion Award
Entomology – Zoey Cieszynski, MM   Award of Excellence
Visual Arts – Kaitlyn Costello, MT   Award of Excellence
Visual Arts – Aiden Cote, AAK   Award of Excellence, Reserve Champion Award
Visual Arts – Kaylee Cote, AAK   Award of Excellence
Photography – Sophia Dubravec, SGD   Award of Excellence, Inspire Award
Vegetable Gardening – Matthew Gereaux, TC   Award of Excellence
Interior Design – Evelyn Goers, HH   Award of Excellence, Reserve Champion Award
Visual Arts – Alex Lyle, MM   Award of Excellence
Foods and Nutrition – Emily Lyle, MM   Award of Excellence
Visual Arts – Kylie Maas, SGD   Award of Excellence
Foods and Nutrition – McKinley Parchim, MT   Award of Excellence
Foods and Nutrition – Cailin Perez, GPLLSS   Award of Excellence, Champion Award
Visual Arts – Emily Pierce, MM   Award of Excellence
Photography – Samantha Ramirez, MT   Award of Excellence
Photography – Alexis Roberts, GPLLSS   Award of Excellence
Visual Arts – Allison Roberts, GPLLSS   Award of Excellence
Forestry – Allison Savoie, MM   Award of Excellence, Inspire Award
Natural Resources – Brooke Savoie, MM   Award of Excellence
Entomology – Molly Savoie, MM   Award of Excellence
Clothing and Textiles – Emma Schnitzler, MBP   Award of Excellence
Weather – Elizabeth Voigt, GPLLSS   Award of Excellence, Champion Award
Dogs/Dog Obedience – Kaitlyn Costello, MT   Blue Ribbon, Reserve Champion
Dogs/Dog Obedience – Sophia Dubravec, SGD   Blue Ribbon, Champion
Dogs/Rally Novice – Abigail Carstens, MT   Blue Ribbon
Dogs/Rally Novice – Kaitlyn Costello, MT   Blue Ribbon
Dogs/Rally Novice – Sophia Dubravec, SGD   Blue Ribbon, Champion
Dogs/Rally Novice – Zakkary Lux, AAK   Blue Ribbon

Thank you to our Adult Volunteers...

4-H Alumni Award

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Awarded to William VanWassenhove

4-H Alumni AwardWilliam VanWassenhove is an outstanding 4-H alum. He exemplifies the spirit of avolunteerto the fullest. He is eagerto go the extra mile and never says no when asked to help. He has a big heart for 4-H and it shows! As a young 4-Her he was an eleven year member with Herscher Hustlers, Junior Leader for 6 years, and received almost all awards possible: Key Club, “I Dare You”, Livestock Judging Team Top Ten Percent, Outstanding Records and County Awards in Achievement, Agriculture, Beef, Conservation, Forestry and Swine. Today, heis giving back to his 4-H community. He is Chairof Kankakee County 4-H/Youth Foundation,Chair of the Livestock Auction Committee, member of Ag Committee, 4-H Youth Program Committeeand teaches the YQCA course for youth in the county. We congratulate you and thank you for your service to Kankakee County 4-H!

Friend of 4-H Award, Kankakee County

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Awarded to Greg & Beth LaPlante
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Beth and Greg LaPlante have been loyal contributors to 4-H in the county for many years. Both served University of Illinois Extension and retired. They encouraged growth for youth in the county through their work at Camp Shaw Waw-Nas-See. We greatly appreciate their long service to the community. Thank you for being a part of 4-H!


​2020 Hall of Fame Foundation Award, Kankakee County

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Awarded to Gary Kohl

Gary served as a dedicated volunteer for 23 years. Retiring in August 2017, he served on the Youth Program Committee, 4-H Livestock Auction Committee, 4-H Ag Committee and was the 4-H Swine Superintendent. He was a tireless volunteer with 4-H youth. He can still be seen supporting 4-H and encouraging his grandchildren with their 4-H projects. Congratulations Gary!”

Leader Recognition

One Year Leaders
Michele Blanchette, KCF                                        Kamber Johnston, CS
Katelynn Ohrt, HH                                                   Tami Savoie, MCC
Kristi Todd, HH                    
 
Five Year Leader
Julianne Thompson, GPLLSS                                          
                                                                                               
Ten Year Leaders
Mary K O’Brien, TC                                                 Joelle, Rich-Warwick, MT
Dustin Wright
 
Twenty Year Leader
Melissa Saathoff, MBP                                                      
 
Twenty Five Year Leader
Peggy Regas
 
Forty Five Year Leader
Ronald Meyer, MBP
 
Sixty Year Leader
John Adams, CA

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