Awards

 GILLESPIE COUNTY 4-H AWARDS

In addition to recognition at the Gillespie County 4-H Contests, 4-H members are also recognized for accomplishments at the annual Gillespie County 4-H Awards Banquet in July.  The following awards are presented at the 4-H Awards Banquet:

PROJECT PINS

To be eligible for a project pin, members must submit a completed project record form (available on website or in Extension Office). Only one pin is awarded each year. If more than one project is completed, the 4-Her will have to choose which pin he/she wants. The project record forms are generally due at the beginning of the summer.

SILVER STAR AWARD

Silver Star Award Application

A 4-H Silver Star Award is the highest award that a Junior-aged 4-Her can receive in Gillespie County. Individuals who have demonstrated active involvement in 4-H projects and activities will be awarded the Silver Star Award.   The award will be presented to the most deserving young people with no regard to gender at the County Awards Program. A person can only receive this award once! The following requirements must be met:

  1. The applicant must have completed the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in the 2022-2023 school year and must have completed at least 2 years in 4-H including the current year.
  2. Applicant must submit a 4-H Project Record Form or Recordbook the year he/she is to be considered for the award.
  3. Applicant must submit a one-page 4-H story answering the question “What does 4H mean to me?”
  4. Applicant must submit a Silver Star Award Application.

 

 

GOLD STAR

Gold Star Award Application

The Gold Star Award is the highest county achievement award and will be awarded only once in a member’s 4-H career. Counties have award quotas based on the number of senior 4-H members. The award is presented to the most deserving young people without regard to gender.  In addition to other requirements, the 4-Her must submit a record book in the year he or she applies for the award and must have completed projects in at least three project areas.

These requirements must be met in order to be eligible to receive the award:

Requirements For The Texas 4-H Gold Star

As the highest award given by the Texas 4-H Youth Development Program, County Offices and Agents are asked to maintain a high level of integrity and honor through their selection process of county Gold Star recipients. At the minimum, the following guidelines should be used in the eligibility and selection process for each county:

1) The member must have at least completed their 9th grade school year at the time of application, and must have completed at least 3 years in 4-H, including the current year.

2) The Texas 4-H Gold Star Award can only be awarded once in a member’s 4-H career.

3) The 4-H member must have completed projects in at least three different project areas, submitted appropriate record forms, and have participated in one or more activities in at least three of the following areas:

•Projects and/or project exhibits
•Participation in leadership experiences such as Leadership Labs, Texas 4-H Congress, or National leadership events such as National 4-H Congress/Conference, and any county, district, or state leadership group.
•Competitive events (judging, educational presentation, public speaking, food show, quiz bowls, etc).
•Citizenship service activities
•Camps at the county, district, or state level.
•4-H Promotion (speeches, poster displays, radio, TV, newspapers)
•Other (includes exchange programs, fund raising)
Note: The requirements for projects and activities do not all have to be completed in the current year. They may have been accomplished over the entire period of time the person has been in the
program.

4) The member must have exhibited leadership skills by serving as a 4-H officer or committee chair (club, county, district or state), and/or as a junior or teen leader in an activity or project with or under the supervision of an adult volunteer leader.

5) The 4-H member must have participated in one or more community service activities. Examples include providing leadership to a One Day 4-H project, working with or mentoring junior 4-H members; participating in community service projects (individual, group or club); and motivating other 4-H members through participation in demonstrations, projects and/or exhibits.

6) The 4-H member must submit a Texas 4-H record book in the year they are to be considered for the award.

Note: The requirements for projects and activities do not all have to be completed in the current year. They may have been accomplished over the entire period of time the person has been in the program.

To apply, a 4-H member must:

1)Complete a 4-H Record Book
2)Complete a Gold Star Application Form

 OUTSTANDING LEADER

The 4-H program in Gillespie County, like all other counties in Texas, has several components that make it work. There are the County Extension Agents that provide organizational and subject matter resource support. The 4-H members, themselves, that make the program, and last but certainly not least are the volunteer adult leaders. This group of people are the glue that hold the 4-H program together. There a very few times and opportunities that we have the chance to say thank you and recognize these leaders for their work and dedication. Gillespie County has more than 100 registered volunteer leaders that work with the youth.

Each year, clubs are asked to nominate two leaders that they feel have been outstanding in their club or project groups. Gillespie County 4-H clubs meet at least 10 times per year. Each monthly club meeting takes a lot of time to plan and conduct. Project leaders have the same demand and devote the same amount of time in their work. At the annual Awards Banquet, two nominees will receive the Outstanding Leader Award.

 

TORI ECKHARDT MEMORIAL

The Tori Eckhardt Memorial award was established in remembrance of Tori Eckhardt for Tori’s outstanding leadership and dedication to the 4-H program. Tori was a very active and loved 4-Her; her life suddenly ended before her senior year in high school. Every year, Gillespie County recognizes the County 4-H Council President with this award, for that was Tori’s last title to hold before the end of her young life. We hope that each one will appreciate life even more to know that it could end so quickly. We should do our best in everything we do; never take things for granted, and exert ourselves even when life is difficult. We should always be grateful to be alive and have the ability to be involved in such a great leadership-oriented organization that has such a positive impact on our lives. Each year the name of our Gillespie County Council President will be added to the plaque in recognition for their hard work and leadership. This memorial plaque hangs in the Gillespie County 4-H meeting room for all to see.

GILLESPIE COUNTY SPIRIT OF 4-H AWARD

The Gillespie County Spirit of 4-H Award was established in 2013 to honor  Jacob Krebs, a Gillespie County 4-H member. Jacob lived his life in such a way that shows all of us what steadfast determination, unbreakable commitment, genuine faith, and true passion is. This award recognizes 4-H members who are humble and serve others with passion, enthusiasm, and dedication to the 4-H program. John Maxwell once said that “A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.

FRIEND OF 4-H

The Friend of 4-H Award is presented to a business or individual that has been selected based on their club and community support with donations, personal service and encouragement.

 

“I DARE YOU”

The “I Dare You” award recipient is honored with a book written by William H. Danforth, the founder of the Ralston Purina Company. Mr. Danforth dared young people to achieve their highest potential and to influence others through a life of service. In Gillespie County, this award is given to members who demonstrate personal integrity, balanced personal development and a willingness to assume responsibility. This award dares youth to keep striving for the best and to grow stronger in their 4-H career.

 

FARM BUREAU AWARD

The Farm Bureau Leadership Award is the second highest award that an individual can receive on the county level. The Gillespie County Farm Bureau honors 4-H members who have exhibited leadership skills throughout their active 4-H careers. The Farm Bureau believes in developing future leaders through the 4-H Program and demonstrates this support by donating this award.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE AWARD

If a member attends all club meetings from September – August of the current 4-H year, he/she will receive a perfect attendance award.

 

STATE RECOGNITION

If a 4-H member participates at a state 4-H level competition, he/she will be awarded in recognition of leadership and accomplishment.

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