Sussex 4-H presents yearly achievement awards
Sussex County 4-H held its annual achievement event Sept. 23, at the Elbert N. and Ann V. Carvel Research and Education Center near Georgetown. Various awards were given to youth and volunteers for their time and commitment to the Sussex 4-H program.
The Joy Sparks Award went to Amy West of Milton. West was recognized for her dedication and service to Sussex County 4-H for more than 25 years. Growing up as a Sussex County 4-H member, she was very active at the local, county and state levels. West carried this dedication to her adulthood and to her children. West currently serves as president of the Sussex 4-H Link alumni organization and the county program, as well as the organizational leader of the Hollymount 4-H Club, which serves the Milton and Lewes areas.
The Friend of 4-H Award went to Doug Crouse of Harrington, who has been involved with Delaware 4-H for more than 50 years. Crouse was a 4-H member in Kent County for 10 years and has been a member of the Kent County Links for more than 40 years. In 2012, Crouse was named the Delaware 4-H State Program leader. Omnipresent at the Delaware State Fair, Crouse is reliably found in the 4-H building, where he takes great pride in making sure every exhibit and ribbon are placed perfectly, and the numerous events and contests are smoothly run.
National conference honorees were Kyle Kerr, Bridgeville; and Sam Gossett, Millsboro.
National Ignite Summit honorees were Carter Bradley, Laurel; Ruby DiSabatino, Selbyville; Kyle Kerr, Bridgeville; Kieran Probert, Millsboro; Declan West, Milton; and Cassidy White, Dagsboro.
Recognized as a national shooting sports participant was Abby Sparpaglione, Georgetown.
National 4-H LifeSmarts participants were Bryan Cabrera-Icte, Seaford; Reagan Fritz, Ocean View; Kaitlyn Johnson, Selbyville; and Edwin Noon, Selbyville.
National Congress 2023 delegates were Carter Bradley; Bailey Fletcher, Lewes; Kyle Kerr; and Ainsley West, Milton.
Exploring 4-H Project participants were Brayden Cooper; Ella Crockett; Gunnar Glasco; Brooke Messick; Raina Passwaters, top award winner; Andrew Platek, honorable mention; Chase Pusey, top award winner, and Jonathan Tucker, honorable mention.
Carter Bradley was honored with the Diamond Clover Award – Level Six, the highest recognition a 4-H member can achieve. The award recognizes sustained community service and service leadership, and is akin to the Eagle Scout award. Bradley used his Carter’s Care Kits service project to provide more than 550 hygiene kits to the homeless population of Delaware. He recruited 4-H clubs, community clubs and his school’s swim team to help with this project.
The Leaders Association Scholarship Award winner was Declan West. The award is given to outstanding 4-H’ers taking into consideration project work, participation, community service and leadership.
Links scholarships for Younger Member Weekend Camp were awarded to Lexington Chisenhall and Emorie Jackson, Bridgeville; Cody Kuhlman, Milton; and Taylor Melvin, Greenwood.
The Barbara Taylor Scholarship for Younger Member Weekend Camp winner was Julia Freebery, Lewes; and the alternate was Lucas Marquez, Seaford.
On behalf of the Hollymount Club, Ainsley West presented the Phyllis Hill Memorial Service Award to Dakota Carmona of Greenwood.
The Ida Layton Leadership Award went to Kyle Kerr.
The 4-H Spirit Award winners are Caydance Means, Seaford; Rachel O’Day, Seaford; Declan West; Demetrius Moutzalias, Dagsboro; Austin Quackenbush, Greenwood; and Gina Anger, Bridgeville.
Delaware 4-H is part of the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension. To learn more about Sussex County 4-H, contact Jill Jackson at 302-831-3280.
