Tuesday, January 26, 2010

4-H Leaders Banquet







The 56th Annual Kalamazoo County 4-H Leaders Banquet was held on January 21, 2010 at Schnauzer’s Banquet Hall in Schoolcraft. Thirty-Three leaders were honored, including one leader who received her Fifty Year Clover Award, Joanna Schwenk of Portage.

First year leaders receiving certificates were: Rebecca Bradley, Meghan Kline, Adrian Koopsen, Deb Newhouse, Andrea Simmons, Susan Stoffer, and Karen Updike-Dame.

Ten year leaders receiving certificates were: Lou Ann Morgan and Lisa Van Laan.

Fifteen year leaders receiving certificates were: Susan Bertch, Mary Burke, Jessica Ford, John Ford, Joyce Gouin, Denise Wilson and Talija Wooley.

Twenty year leaders receiving certificates were: Kathy Aldrich and Karen Vander Weele.

Twenty-Five year leaders receiving certificates were: Janette Swihart.

Thirty year leaders receiving certificates were: Karen Bailey, George Buckham, Eileen Rutten, Nancy Struble Brundage and Barbara VanBruggen.

Forty year leaders receiving certificates were: Lois Carlson and Steve Gazdag.

Fifty year leaders receiving certificates were: Joanna Schwenk

It’s an honor to recognize Joanna Schwenk for her years of service to Kalamazoo County 4-H. Joanna is someone who sees the value of 4-H for today’s youth. She continues to volunteer because she enjoys it and it is important to her. Over the years Joanna has served on numerous 4-H State Committees, as a Community Club Leader, President of Leaders Council, on the Finance and Award committees and many others, and as Leather Craft, Public Speaking, and Still Demonstrations Project Leader to name a few. Joanna continues to serve as Still Demonstrations project leader and is an at large member of Leaders’ Council.

How many lives has Joanna touched? We can only guess that it must be in the thousands. It says a lot about ones character when they find a way to mentor youth and then stick with it for 50 years.

Special awards for Leader Merit were given to Terri Charlton (Tri-United 4-H Club), Scott and Carmen Bartholomew (Scotts Busy Youth 4-H Club), and Barbara VanBruggen (County Center 4-H Club).

Friend of 4-H Awards were given to Phil Simmons & Howard Wurtzel of Carleton Equipment and Steve Chervenak of Tractor Supply Company, Gull Road.

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