4-H members honored for their outstanding accomplishments in leadership, service and life skill development.

The Michigan 4-H State Awards Program recognized outstanding 4-H members following the opening session of 4-H Exploration Days on June 21. Hosted by Michigan State University Extension, the celebration took place at the Wharton Center on the campus of MSU.

A Michigan 4-H State Award is the highest honor bestowed on Michigan 4-H members and recognizes excellence in learning, leadership and service. In total, 22 4-H members from 15 counties submitted applications for this year’s program.

“All of our 4-H’ers across the state are amazing but the youth honored with 4-H State Awards are some of our most accomplished,” said Julie Chapin, state 4-H leader for Michigan and director of MSU Extension’s children and youth programs. “They have demonstrated their dedication to improving themselves and their communities through 4-H, service and more.”

Michigan 4-H State Awards were presented in 13 of the 20 available award categories that showcase the diverse array of 4-H knowledge, skills and experience. Recipients of the 2023 awards are:

• Beef Science: Caleb Souva of Branch County (junior division) and Bridget Paidl of Menominee County (senior division)
• Birds and Poultry Science: Makayla King of Van Buren County (senior division)
• Career Development: Avery Stallman of Macomb County (junior division)
• Companion Animal Science: Stellamia Aerts of Monroe County (senior division)
• Environmental Science: Amanda Towne of Van Buren County (senior division)
• Gardening and Horticulture: Katie Miller of Eaton County (junior division)
• Goat Science: Dori Stuever of Huron County (senior division)
• Leadership: Makayla Chew of Midland County (junior division) and Alexis Fisher of Monroe County (senior division)
• Rabbit and Cavy Science: Brandon Fisher of Monroe County (junior division) and Morgan Bliesener of Ingham County (senior division)
• Shooting Sports: Justin Yarger of Monroe County (senior division)
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM): Peter Rambadt of St. Joseph County (senior division)
• Swine Science: Joseph Endres of Isabella County (junior division)
• Visual, Performing and Expressive Arts: Alana Aulph of Monroe County (senior division)

The Michigan 4-H State Awards Program is open to 4-H members who are 13 to 19 years old with three or more years of 4-H experience. To qualify for the award, 4-H’ers must submit a written application that showcases the learning experiences, knowledge and skills they’ve acquired through their participation in 4-H, as well as their contributions to their local 4-H programs, clubs and communities. Submissions are reviewed by the Michigan 4-H State Awards selection committee. This group of volunteers, staff members and industry experts determine which members are selected as award finalists. All applicants receive written feedback from selection committees.

Senior delegates (ages 16 to 19) and groups then complete an interview using video conference technology. Completing a video interview provides an opportunity for 4-H members to practice real-world workforce skills.

“The 4-H program as a whole is focused on helping youth develop skills for the future,” Chapin said. “Our 4-H State Awards process itself seeks to prepare youth for college and the workforce by having them practice the application and interview process. It requires a significant amount of work and we are so pleased to acknowledge their efforts and achievements with the State 4-H Award honor.”

In addition to a plaque, each 4-H State Award winner in the senior division received a $200 cash award. Junior winners received plaques and $50 cash awards. These awards are made possible by generous donations to the Michigan 4-H Foundation.

A Michigan 4-H State Award is the highest honor given to a Michigan 4-H’er. The awards recognize honorees’ knowledge and life skill development.

The awards are typically given out during 4-H Exploration Days, which is held in mid-June on the campus of Michigan State University.

Excerpts from the awards portfolios of 2023 Michigan 4-H State Award Winner Amanda Towne follows. Her responses have been edited for clarity and length.

Amanda Towne, 17, says she has always been shy, “but the leadership experiences I gain through 4-H help build my confidence so that I am comfortable speaking in front of others, providing guidance and setting examples for others.” Towne is in her eleventh year in the Michigan 4-H program and tenth year in the Van Buren Voyagers 4-H Club, where she is now a teen leader and club vice president. She is also involved in Young Explorers.

Towne has shown dogs, cats, draft horses, chickens and goats, and over the years, has expanded her 4-H interests to include shooting sports and environmental science. She says one of her biggest accomplishments is being a member of the first Envirothon team in Van Buren County in 10 years. The team placed first in regionals and second and third in two categories at the state level.

In 2022, Towne won the junior Michigan 4-H State Award for shooting sports. In 2023, she won the senior Michigan 4-H State Award for environmental science.

“4-H makes me a more rounded person as I learn how to help others in need,” Towne said. “If I had not been introduced to 4-H, I would not have the same type of outgoing personality or be able to communicate as effectively.”

Q. How did you become involved in 4-H?

A. I joined 4-H as a Cloverbud and began learning how to make still exhibits. Over the years, I expanded into other project areas, with a growing interest in environmental science.

Q. What other 4-H projects have you participated in outside your award area?

A. Some of my other 4-H projects have been showing dogs, cats, chickens, draft horses, goats and sheep. I also create exhibits and sometimes perform in the annual talent show playing the piano, guitar or ukulele.

Q. What are some skills you’ve learned in 4-H?

A. Through my environmental science project, I have developed skills in personal safety, communication, contribution to group effort, and critical thinking. Being in the outdoors teaches me the importance of safety, such as being aware of my surroundings and what gear I should take with me when I go into the wilderness. My 4-H activities have helped me become a better communicator. Communication is related to so many other important life skills, such as decision making and being able to cooperate with others.

Q. How has 4-H helped you grow as a leader?

A. As a 4-H member, being an officer in my club, participating in 4-H Exploration Days as a delegate, and attending educational workshops has contributed to my development and personal growth as a leader.

Q. What are some ways you give back to your community through 4-H?

A. A 4-H community service experience that means a lot to me is an outdoor adventure day for kids with special needs. The event is Outdoor Adventures for Kids with Special Needs (OAKS) and it is hosted by the Van Buren Voyagers 4-H Club. The event helps special needs children experience outdoor activities and learn more about the environment, and inspires them to spend more time outside. OAKS had a positive impact on my community. Not only did the kids enjoy the day and discover new ways to enjoy the outdoors, but their caregivers became more comfortable with getting the kids outside.

Another way I have given back to my community is when our Envirothon team organized a beach cleanup at the Casco Township Lake Michigan Beach Preserve. After I explained our plan at a Casco Township Board meeting, the board approved the plan and provided a dumpster for the event. By doing the cleanup, we were able to bring awareness to the community and made a positive step toward cleaning our waters.

Q. What unique opportunities or experiences have you had through 4-H?

A. For the past two years, I have attended 4-H Capitol Experience to learn more about our local, state and tribal governments in Michigan. I was part of the environmental science issue group both years.

I also attended 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus, where we learned about the federal government and how laws are made at the federal level. Participants from around the country were able to share their ideas and experiences.

Q. How has your 4-H involvement influenced your future plans?

A. I plan to study biology and genetics at Northern Michigan University. I am exploring the possibility of becoming a wildlife geneticist. The skills I gained from 4-H motivate me to continue my path in protecting the environment and promoting land conservation.

A Michigan 4-H State Award is the highest honor given to a Michigan 4-H’er. The awards recognize honorees’ knowledge and life skill development.

The awards are typically given out during 4-H Exploration Days, which is held in mid-June on the campus of Michigan State University.

Excerpts from the awards portfolios of 2023 Michigan 4-H State Award Winner Brandon Fisher follows. His responses have been edited for clarity and length.

Brandon Fisher, 15, credits 4-H with teaching him “how to work hard to be prepared for different challenges.” Fisher is in his ninth year in the Monroe County 4-H program, where he shows small animals like rabbits, cavies and pocket pets. He has also competed in many 4-H robotics projects and been involved with a 4-H group called iClover Robotics.

Fisher is part of the county 4-H program’s Small Animal Executive Board, Teen Ambassadors program, New Horizons program, and two district clubs. Among his greatest accomplishments is winning the Small Animal Showmanship Sweepstakes and Master Stockman at the county fair. In 2022, Fisher won the junior Michigan 4-H State Award for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In 2023, he won the junior Michigan 4-H State Award for rabbit and cavy science.

“The skills that I have attained through 4-H have helped me in school and will help me in life when I start my career.” Fisher said. “My goal is to make an impact on the world and create something that will change the way we currently work for the better. I know that my involvement in 4-H will help to make this goal possible.”

Q. How did you become involved in 4-H?

A. My family has always been involved in 4-H [starting with] my grandma and my mom being 4-H members. I have been going to 4-H activities since I was a little kid because my older sister is also involved in 4-H.

Q. What other 4-H projects have you participated in outside your award area?

A. I have participated in the 4-H communications project, and I am now able to get up and speak in front of a group of people. My sister helped me gain confidence with my first communications project and because of her, I now try a new communications project each year. It has become one of my favorite project areas.

Another one outside of my award area was a small engine project. I tore down and put back together a broken chainsaw. I was able to speak with the judge about how I completed my project and showed him the chainsaw running.

Q. What are some skills you’ve learned in 4-H?

A. One of the most valuable skills I have learned in 4-H is how to work with confidence. Another important skill that I use in both 4-H and my robotics team is accurately gathering and keeping track of the many aspects of building a robot.

Participating in the rabbit and cavy science area, I have learned to speak and work with confidence. It is important to have confidence when giving presentations and when speaking to others in a large group or one on one. I have participated in many presentations about small animals for my 4-H clubs and in workshops for the Small Animal Board. I have also used this skill in school presentations in front of my teachers and peers. Being able to speak with confidence is necessary when showing small animals because the judges will ask questions that I must answer confidently to show my animal science knowledge.

Having animals and taking care of them has taught me to be responsible. It is my responsibility to make sure all my animals stay healthy. If my animals do get sick, I need to be able to care for them or get them the help they need.

Another skill I’ve learned in 4-H is problem solving, which I use in every aspect of being the mechanical build lead on my robotics team. If there is something wrong with the robot or if it breaks between competitions, I must be able to problem solve to figure out and fix the issue.

Q. How has 4-H helped you grow as a leader?

A. 4-H and robotics have helped me be a leader and mentor to others interested in the STEM field. Teaching classes to 4-H members and mentoring two younger robotics teams has been important to me to be able to pass on my love of STEM. My hope is that I can teach members all they need to know about STEM and robotics. In addition, I hope they grow to love STEM and robotics and they will one day be a mentor to someone else.

Also, 4-H helped me grow as a leader by helping me build confidence in speaking and running meetings. I have learned the correct way to run a meeting using parliamentary procedure. I’ve learned to be responsible by caring for my project animals and because I am expected to attend all the meetings and participate as a leader in my club.

Being a part of 4-H has helped to make me the person I am today. I have had great mentors and club leaders to help me along the way. Now I am a mentor to the younger members so I can help them along their way.

Q. What are some ways you give back to your community through 4-H?

A. One district 4-H club I am in is all about community service. We have done many community service projects, including making salsa for firefighters, putting together Easter baskets for foster kids, and creating hospice care kits. One of my favorite projects is collecting food and supplies and making blankets and toys for the local humane society. We even get to visit the humane society and play with the animals.

Another of my favorite ways to give back to my community through 4-H is visiting the local assisted living senior home in my community. We have made cards for residents, played bingo with them and sung carols for them.

Q. What unique opportunities or experiences have you had through 4-H?

A. I have participated in welding, electrical and communications projects. I even won a Michigan State Fair Gold Ribbon for one of my electrical projects. I have also represented Monroe County as the 4-H Prince. This great accomplishment allowed me to be part of the leadership group that attended and helped out with 4-H activities at the county fair. Lastly, I was able to lead a class on building and programming a robot during my club expo.

Q. How has your 4-H involvement influenced your future plans?

A. After my 4-H career, I plan on pursuing a career in the STEM field, specifically mechanical engineering. The skills I have developed through 4-H have helped me in school and will help me in life when I start my career.