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HARTINGTON — Nebraska 4-H recognizes and awards individuals for outstanding achievement and contributions to their community, club and their own personal development. Cedar County 4-H recognized two such individuals Oct.22, at the Cedar County 4-H Council meeting.
To be eligible for these awards, a member must have completed a minimum of five years in the Cedar County 4-H program and be at least a junior in high school. There must be evidence of a variety of projects, leadership and community service exhibited in the 4-H story they submit to the awards judging committee.
This year’s Outstanding 4-H Service Award recipient was Abby Anderson, daughter of Pam and Adam Anderson, Hartington. Anderson is a member of the Needles & Nails 4-H Club.
Through the years, Anderson has completed many static exhibits in the Clothing, Home Environment, Photography, Food and Nutrition, and other miscellaneous project areas. She has participated in 4-H public speaking, presentations, and favorite food revue contests which helped her develop her writing skills and become comfortable with speaking in front of people and judges.
Anderson has held several leadership positions within her club, as a 4-H project workshop and fair assistant, as a youth representative on the 4-H Council, in FCCLA, and within her community as a volunteer. With the help of her 4-H club, Anderson brought to fruition project “Little Pantry” which is a small food pantry accessible to anyone in need that is located near the Hartington City Office.
“4-H has had an enormous impact on my life,” said Anderson. “This organization has gifted me with learning experiences, new skills, leadership opportunities, occasions for community service, and so much more. I truly believe that my time as a 4-Her has shaped me into the person I am today as well as the person I will become in the future.”
Anderson is currently a senior at Hartington-Newcastle Public School and plans to pursue a career in speech-language pathology to work specifically with children.
This year’s Outstanding 4-H Achievement Award recipient is Karli Bruning, daughter of Kristi and Mark Bruning, Hartington. Bruning is also a member of the Needles and Nails 4-H Club.
Bruning began her 4-H story as a shy, timid Clover Kid afraid of animals. Through the years, the 4-H experience helped her overcome those obstacles. 4-H gave her the opportunities to create new friendships and adventures through projects, workshops, and camps. Bruning took part in several static project areas and livestock projects, and learned with time and hard work you see the best results.
Through the years, Bruning gained confidence with handling animals that culminated with her being on her high school FFA Chapter Livestock Judging Team, a huge milestone for her. She was also able to experience modeling at the Nebraska State Fair Fashion Show.
Through her club’s community service projects, Bruning helped replace the small animal waterfowl cages and the fairgrounds. They made chemo care packages for the local Relay for Life event which helped her appreciate her own health and recognize the difficulties others go through, emphasizing the 4-H pledge - hands to larger service and health to better living for my club, my community, and my world.
As a youth leader in the 4-H program, Bruning was an Ag Innovators Experience teen facilitator in which she trained for and then shared in classrooms the importance of technology used in the agricultural industry. She helped younger members with their projects at club meetings, assisted at Clover Kid camps, and county project day. Bruning is a youth representative on the 4-H Council, and was selected to attend the Nebraska Agriculture Youth Institute in Lincoln. “The experience of 4-H was more than projects to me, said Bruning. “From the shy timid girl who recited a poem and was scared to hold onto her calf as a Clover Kid, now, to a young adult leader within the organization. It was building and bettering myself as I grew in knowledge and confidence. It is those experiences that fill the pages of My Amazing Time in 4-H.”
Bruning is currently a senior at Hartington-Newcastle Public School and plans to pursue a career in agribusiness and animal science.
Each recipient received a plaque, sponsored by the Rob Dump and Peggy Year, Cedar County News, and also receives a check for $200, sponsored by the 4-H Council. The winner’s names are also added to the Outstanding 4-H member plaque which is sponsored by the 4-H Council and can be seen in the Extension Office.
