ELK POINT – There was 4-H beef on the barbecues and there were 4-H members, their families and guests filling the Elk Point Fire Hall on Wednesday, June 26 as the club held their Year End Appreciation Supper.
Club president Tyson Kotowich has been in 4-H for eight years and told the guests, “4-H has been a big part of my family, and without it we wouldn’t have had so many great experiences.” Outlining some of the many reasons he has enjoyed the activities and learning membership has provided, he concluded, “We love the 4-H life, we love the program.”
Jennifer Germain, who along with Shelly Jean are the club’s overall leaders, said that when she was recently working on other end-of season ceremonies, was told that “These aren’t your 4-H kids,” and there was no need to set the standards so high. She feels there is, and says the standards set for 4-Hers, including leadership and learning to do by doing, will result in employability for those members in the future, because “4-H kids are already the cream of the crop. They are some of the hardest working kids I know, they never say ‘I can’t’ or “I don’t want to.’ “
“I’ve been around 4-H since 2000,” guest speaker S/Sgt. James Morton of the Eastern Alberta District RCMP told the gathering, noting the life skills learned in 4-H “are important to know. This all translates into real world skills. $-H teaches citizenship, politics and a lot of lessons can be learned… important lessons for a changing world.” Suggesting careers in firefighting, emergency services and policing, he told the 4-Hers, “Don’t be limited by what your parents want you to do, do what you want to do.”
Jennifer Germain and Shelly Jean called up the members one by one to give brief messages of thanks to their steer buyers, before each was presented with their year end plaques. Breed association gifts were also handed out to the members for their choices of project animals.
A special part of every year’s windup is the presentation of 4-H Awards of Excellence. This year, bronze awards went to Alexis Danyluk, Hailey Danyluk and Jayden Jean, and gold awards to Tyson Kotowich, Shyanne Klatt and Alysa Jean.
One of Elk Point4-H Beef Club’s most dedicated volunteers and mentors also received well-deserved recognition, Cloey Germain presenting an Award of Distinction to Mona Bristow.
The evening wrapped up with a slide show that showcased the year at its best and even had some long ago memories of the 4-H parents when they were 4-H members.
