South Plains 4-Hers Recognized With Gold Stars

Writer: Tim W. McAlavy, (806) 746-6101, t-mcalavy@tamu.edu
Contact: Brad Davis, (806) 746-6101, jb-davis@tamu.edu

LUBBOCK – Outstanding 4-Hers from across the South Plains were honored here Nov. 19, at the annual South Plains District Gold Star Banquet.

“There were 30 4-Hers who received Gold Stars at this year’s banquet,” said Brad Davis, South Plains 4-H and youth development specialist with the Texas Cooperative Extension. “The Gold Star award is the highest honor 4-Hers can earn at the county level. It is a true mark of their 4-H achievements.”

4-H is the youth development program of the Texas Cooperative Extension, part of the Texas A&M University System.
A complete overview of Texas 4-H is available on the Internet at  http://texas4-h.tamu.edu.

This year’s banquet at Texas Tech’s United Spirit Arena was sponsored by Bailey County, Big Country, Deaf Smith, Lamb County, Lea County, Lighthouse, Lyntegar, South Plains and Swisher Electric Cooperatives.

Cienna Carthel, Texas 4-H Council and South Plains 4-H Council first vice president, was master of ceremonies. Justin Cantwell, South Plains 4-H secretary-treasurer, gave the invocation and Jeremy Bishop, Texas 4-H Council and South Plains 4-H Council president, voiced the response.

Jamie Drennan, South Plains 4-H Council second vice president, and Rusty Keaton, South Plains 4-H Council public relations director, introduced special guests. Brad Davis, Texas Cooperative Extension 4-H and youth specialist for the South Plains, presented special awards. Steven Hunt, Parmer County, led the pledge of allegiance and Amy Burris, Baily County 4-H Council delegate, led the 4-H motto and pledge.

Texas Representative Carl Isett gave the keynote address. Parents, government and community leaders, Extension faculty, educators and others were on hand to watch the youth receive their awards.

South Plains Gold Star winners received their award certificates from Jett Major and Colleen Chadwick, South Plains District Extension directors. They also received a special certificate of recognition from State Senator Robert Duncan, presented by staff assistant Brandon Lipps.

This year’s Gold Star winners are:
Bailey County: Cydni Vandiver, Muleshoe. Borden County: Bobbie and Dalene Kempf, Gail. Castro County: Thomas Brockman and Jeremy Bishop, Dimmitt. Crosby County: Miles Harrell, Crosbyton.

Dawson County: Haley Moore, Lamesa, and Jamie Drennan, Welch. Floyd County: Rusty Keaton and Katie Kelley, Lockney. Gaines County: Laura Wright and Johnna Paige Goen, Seminole. Garza County: Breann Heckaman, Post. Hale County: Amber Leigh Williams and Venessa Joy Ramsower, Plainview.
 
Hockley County: Alycyn Keeling and Nancy Pugh, Levelland. Lamb County: Allen Dolle, Littlefield, and Brenda Bean, Springlake-Earth. Lubbock County: Emilie Hartfield, Lubbock; Clay Cristy, Shallowater; and Kody Bessent, Idalou.
Lynn County: Riley Barnett and Brandi Tekell, Tahoka.

Mitchell County: Matt Truelove, Westbrook. Scurry County: Morgan Miller, Snyder, and Cody Beaver, Fluvanna. Swisher County: Devree Gardner, Vigo Park, and Megan Simmons, Happy. Terry County: Dustin Sellers, Brownfield.