Each year the Fulton County 4-H Program recognizes the volunteers/advisors of the program for their contributions and years of service to 4-H. Special recognition is awarded for those individuals who exemplify the qualities and support of the program or have gone above and beyond. We’d like to share with you those honored this year.
2015 Friends of 4-H
Pam Kurfiss – 2015 Friend of 4-H Award. Pam understands the 4-H program very well. A nine year 4-H member, she took a variety of projects and practiced the 4-H principals of Head, Heart, Hands and Health within her club and community. Pam is an Office Associate for the Ohio State University Extension office in Fulton County. Pam goes above and beyond to serve the residents of Fulton County and anticipates their needs. She has devoted her entire work life of 34 years to the day-to-day tasks needed to maintain and perpetuate our county’s successful 4-H program. Pam is married to Rod Kurfiss of Delta and they have a son, Jarod who is also a 6 year 4-H member. We recognize Pam’s devotion and excellence in service to the Fulton County 4-H program.
Jane Wyse – 2015 Friend of 4-H Award. Jane has been an Office Associate at OSU Extension for 26 years. In those years she has seen the 4-H program make a difference in children’s lives, not only through the knowledge learned with project work, but also the leadership and public speaking skills gained and opportunities of community service and scholarships. As a member of the Extension team she is supportive of her co-workers, is ethical, self-motivated and dedicated to the mission of 4-H and Extension. She enjoys the variety of clientele that Extension serves and admires the many 4-H advisors that give of their time, talents and resources to make a positive influence on the youth of our county. Jane and her husband Terry live north of Wauseon, have 3 grown children and 9 grandchildren, with the 5 oldest being 4-H members in Ohio and Illinois.
Donnielle Herring – 2015 Friend of 4-H Award. Donnielle has previously served as a 4-H volunteer for the Pettisville Ever-Ready 4-H Club for several years. She is a community volunteer interested in promoting the beef industry through youth cattle production. Donielle has given direction and led youth through the process of planning, organizing and conducting a beef skillathon for Junior Fair participants. She works, in cooperation with Eric Richer, to plan this educational activity for youth to demonstrate their knowledge of all aspects of beef projects like: body parts, feeds, nutrition, record keeping, parasites/diseases and quality assurance. Donielle is an excellent role model for youth and adults.
2015 Outstanding 4-H Alumni
Allyssa Bratton – 2015 Outstanding 4-H Alumni Award. Allyssa is currently an advisor of the Becoming Leaders of Tomorrow 4-H Club. She is a resident of Wauseon and the wife of Landon Bratton, daughter of John and Alice Gamber, and Ken and Stephani Lane. Allyssa was a 10 year member of 4-H with six years with the Pike Kountry Kids and four years with the Becoming Leaders of Tomorrow 4-H Club. She has been a summer camp counselor, member of the Fulton County Jr. Fair Board, a 4-H Camp program volunteer for 6 years. Allyssa’s positive attitude encourages youth to try harder on their projects. She is always willing to help, talks parents into being involved, and tries to get the best efforts out of the youth. Allyssa is a walking promotion of 4-H through social media, friends, family and fellow employees.
Wendell Short – 2015 Outstanding 4-H Alumni Award. Wendell is a 4-H volunteer of the Pettisville Ever-Ready 4-H Club. After coming on board as a volunteer, he has assisted with fundraising for the goat and sheep barns at the Fulton County Fairgrounds. He has given many hours to goat pen assignments, back tag and ear tattooing. He is a mentor to the youth in the program and gives guidance and instruction to 4-H goat projects. As the Jr. Fair Goat entry job was passed on to him, he took 150 paper entries and collated them, entered them into a spreadsheet to divide the classes for junior fair goats. As entries went online, he taught himself the database to organize classes, pens and call sheets. It has taken him many hours of behind the scenes work. He has demonstrated leadership, caring and flexibility.
Thank you to all of our award recipients for giving of your time and talents to the 4-H Youth of Fulton County. You are truly Making the Best Better.
Advisors Recognized for their years of service:
5 Years of Service: Lilly Armstrong, Kevin Bernheisel, Derek Bishop, B.J. Gombash, Betsy Gombash, Judy Harrison, Lizzie Hoge, Mollie Holdridge, Theresa Imre, Alicia Keller, Kathy Miller, Sherry Renner, J.P. Simon
10 Years of Service: Thomas Herr, Jr.
15 Years of Service: Ray Jackson, Shelly Jackson, Garth Reckner
20 Years of Service: Jackie Ballmer, Mark Ballmer, Linda Bollinger, Julie Creque, Kelli Keener, David Orndorff, Kim Reckner, Dennis Savage, Dawn Wilcoxon
25 Years of Service: Steven Fenicle, Jack Lawrence, Roy Norman
30 Years of Service: Theresa Buchhop
31 Years of Service: Cindy Harris, Terry Henricks
32 Years of Service: Pam Henricks, Cecilia Nartker
33 Years of Service: Herb Harris
34 Years of Service: Polly Gombash
39 Years of Service: Joyce Nofziger
41 Years of Service: Paula Jean Savage
42 Years of Service: Joe Miller
44 Years of Service: Bonnie Cicora
49 Years of Service: Jim Savage
4-H Honor Clubs
This year is the 13th year for the Honor Club Program in Fulton County. A club completes the Honor Club form and submits it to the Extension Office. Any number of clubs may participate and be named a 4-H Honor Club. How? Points are given and tallied by the number of participants in the various categories of county events. All clubs achieving the 125 or more points will be named an “Honor Club.” This is in addition to the Outstanding Community Service Club honor. This year these clubs have earned the status of 4-H HONOR CLUBS: 4-H Gainers and Leaders—Jenny Herr, Country Achievers—Kim Krieger, Fulton 4-H Connection—Pat Schroeder, Fulton Fantastics—Tabitha Bergstedt, Goats and “Udder” Things—Linda Bollinger, Hoppin’ n Trottin’ – Kim Baker, Nifty 4-H’ers—Joan Rubel, Roamin Country Raisers, Etc.—Ann Kirkum & Shelly Morrin, Young Frontiers -Vickie Barber.
INFORMATION PROVIDED