HONESDALE, PA — The 4-H program in Wayne County is alive and well, as evidenced by the nearly full auditorium at the Penn State Extension office in the Park Street Complex. 

Members, volunteers, families and guests gathered on November 3 for the 2023 Wayne County 4-H Achievement Night.

Tri-Gal 4-H Club

The Outstanding 4-H Club Treasurer this year was Channing Rutledge of the Tri-Gal 4-H Club.

The Wayne County 4-H Teen Council. Pictured are, in the front row, junior members Madisyn Hiller, left; Timothy Schuman; Owen Gries; and Caleb Weist. Pictured in the back row are Clara Murphy, left; Sophie Markulin; Nicole Non; Elektra Kehagias; Ayden Schweisinger; and 4-H educator Jessica Scull.

The Outstanding Senior 4-H members were Elektra Kehagias and Sara McNichols (not pictured).

The Outstanding Intermediate 4-H Members were Sophie Markulin, left, and Hailey Wasman.

The Outstanding Junior 4-H Members for 2023 were Truly Zablocky, left, and Timothy Schuman.

Young 4-Hers are embarking on a great adventure. Pictured are Henry Freidenstine, left; Everly Zablocky; Finnian Loughran; Mallory Olver; Ryder Rutledge; and Liam LaTourette.

The Outstanding 4-H News Reporter was Truly Zablocky of the Bethany 4-H Club...

Horse Lovers 4-H Club

The Horse Hoof Hour Award went to Teagan LaTourette, left; Maeson Olver; Logan Olver; and Adelyn Henderson.

Elektra Kehagias, left, and Charles Moran

Elektra Kehagias

The 4-H coloring contest winners show off their work. Pictured are Henry Freidenstine (age 5, 1st place), left; Mallory Olver (age 6, 4th place); Lainey Henderson (age 7, 2nd place); Ryder Rutledge (age 6, 1st place); Victoria Polak (age 7, 5th place); Liam LaTourette (age 6, 2nd place); and Everly Zablocky (age 6, 3rd place).

Honoring the participants in the 4-H coloring contest. Pictured are Cally Non, left; Alexandra Lopatofsky; Gwendolyn Schuman; Cody Weist; and Finnian Loughran.

Clover Awards White Level 2. Pictured are Ethan Gries, left; Zeta Bunnell; Truly Zablocky; Mark Nebzydoski Jr.; Jonathan Nebzydoski; Mandy Grossman; Timothy Schuman; Kadence Kretschmer; Adelyn Henderson; John Rickard; Carli Seaman; and Teagan LaTourette.

Clover Awards Green Level 1. Pictured are Aubrey Kennedy, left; Jacob Rickard; Mollie Peterson; Michaela Lopatofsky; Mason Quigley; Cora Freidenstine; Cade Rutledge; Anna Nebzydoski; Logan Peirano; and Hunter Seaman.

Cherry Ridge 4-H Club

Channing Rutledge

Carley Fries

Clover Awards Bronze Level 3. Pictured are Owen Gries, left, and Caleb Weist.

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The night is a celebration of 4-H members’ year-long work of completing projects, community service and leadership opportunities, as well as working with animals at local and state events. 

A sense of accomplishment was evident throughout the room and on the faces of those being recognized for outstanding work and the devotion of their time and efforts throughout the year.

As 2023 closes, 21 dedicated 4-H members have served longer than 10 years. Additionally, 12 senior members have aged out of membership and will take their 4-H experiences with them into the next chapters of their lives.

Plans are already in the works for the new year. as Wayne County 4-H Educator Jessica Scull states, “We have set goals to provide educational and fun programming for all 4-H members regardless of  their project selection,” said Wayne County 4-H educator Jessica Scull. There will be “many fun day camps, clinics and workshops where learning adventures await.” 

Not only is 4-H “about having fun while learning, but the leadership opportunities are endless,” she continued. “I encourage all 4-H members to  participate in county and state-level events and take your leadership skills to the next level.” 

The theme for the 4-H program for the new year says a lot: “4-H Will  Open Doors to Do More in 2024.”

4-H by the numbers

The 2023 4-H year-end review revealed that 700 projects were taken with 650 of the projects completed for a 93 percent completion rate. These projects included 278 livestock projects, 11 breeding projects, 42 horse projects, 32 dairy cattle projects, 4 dairy goat projects, 16 small animal projects, 27 Cloverbud projects, and 290 non-animal projects.

In 2023, there were 16 4-H clubs with an average number of 17 members in Wayne County, involving a total of 279 members and 65 volunteer leaders with eight additional leaders in progress. 

4-H members accumulated over 4,265 hours doing community service in Wayne County, saving the county over $85,270. 

The number of people reached through this service totaled 9,525, and over two tons of food were collected and donated.

Join the club

With a new year just beginning, all agreed, it is a great time to become involved with the 4-H family. Children should get involved for the fun and educational learning opportunities, community service, character building and leadership roles. 

Adults can consider volunteering as leaders to help guide youth development and to enrich their own lives by giving back a little to the community.

4-H is the youth development education program of Penn State Cooperative Extension. It is a non-formal education program for youth between the ages of five and 18. 

For more information about becoming a member or volunteer, visit the office at 648 Park St., Suite E; email WayneExt@psu.edu; or call  570/253-7970 ext. 4110.