2003 Outstanding 4-H Youth Recognized

By Bruce Fickenscher

Extension Agent

November 14, 2003

Four Kiowa County youth were recognized at the 2003 Kiowa County 4-H Achievement Banquet, Friday, November 7. Two Seniors, ages 14 to 18, and two Juniors, ages 8 to 13, received awards sponsored by Valley State Bank.

The two junior members were Dally Lessenden and Kirbi Stum. Dally is a three year member of the Haswell Milemarkers. Her project list includes Clothing, Decorate Your Duds, Cake decorating, Photography, Foods, Market and Breeding sheep, and Horse. She will also be the 2004 Kiowa County 4-H Council Secretary. Dally is the daughter of Shane and P.J. Lessenden.

Kirbi is the eleven year old son of Monte and Linda Stum and is a member of the Sheridan Lake Livewires. His projects have included Swine, Sheep, woodworking, Entomology, and Shooting Sports. When not involved with school, 4-H, or church this young man is always willing to help in the Towner community by shoveling sidewalks or general clean-up projects.

The Senior Outstanding Youth winners are both Prairie Queen 4-H club members. In her National Report Form story Milly Spady states that 4-H has taught her how to schedule things, quoting "You can do many things if you manage your time and make your schedule fit your busy life." Milly has taken fifteen projects in six years of 4-H. Many of these projects have been taken for multiple years. A highlight was taking Grand Champion overall in Gardening at the 2003 Colorado State Fair. She is the daughter of Rick and Carole Spady.

In her final 4-H story Brandi Roberson states: "There are so many things that you can get out of 4-H, such as great skills that can be passed on to later generations, you gain the ability to do things on your own and achieve higher goals in life, and you are able to be a leader in something with all of your knowledge." With a project list that includes both livestock and general projects, Brandi has learned many skills and gained the ability to do many things. Goals are set at a high, but achievable level. Brandi is the daughter of Chad and Shawn Roberson and a freshman at Lamar Community College.