Shelby County Outstanding 4-H'er Awards
The Shelby County Outstanding 4-H'er Award is given out annually to FIVE outstanding youth who deserve to be celebrated for the positive impact they are making in their communities. The youth, who are nominated by their peers or advisors, are featured online and in the Sidney Daily News. They also receive a certificate and plaque recognizing them for their outstanding leadership. This is a noteworthy award that is presented every fall.
Please include the name of the 4-H member and 4 to 5 sentences on how you feel they work each day to make a positive impact on those around them. Specific examples of involvement in service leadership should be included. Please also include a photo of the member for publicity purposes.
Email 2023 nominations to Katie Hughes at hughes.1784@osu.edu by July 14th.
2023
Austin Pleiman- Nominated by Kim Ruhenkamp: 4-H Advisor
Austin Pleiman is a 10 year 4-H member in the Fort Loramie Livestock 4-H Club and is actively involved in the Fort Loramie FFA Chapter. During his 4-H career, Austin has exhibited Rabbit and Beef projects. In addition, Austin has been involved on the Shelby County Junior Fair Board and has served as a 4-H Camp counselor. Kim shared that “Austin has shown that with hard work and dedication, you can achieve your goals. He always has a positive attitude and loves to joke around. He is always willing to help out or jumps in to help without being asked. Austin is a great role model to future 4-Hers and will continue to contribute to the agricultural industry as he continues his education at Ohio State University.”
Leah Meyer- Nominated by Anonymous
Leah Meyer is a 10 year 4-Her in the Anna Livestock 4-H Club and is actively involved in the Anna FFA Chapter. During her 4-H career, Leah has exhibited Beef and Swine projects. In addition, Leah has been involved on the Shelby County Junior Fair Board and has served as a 4-H and Cloverbud Camp Counselor. Leah’s nominator shared that “Leah is a great leader which she has demonstrated through her leadership on the Shelby County Junior Fair Board. She is someone that goes the extra mile and is always willing to step up to help her peers. I have no doubt that Leah will take this same energy and work ethic as she continues her education at the Ohio State University to study Agricultural Communications.”
Karli Hiler- Nominated by Bill Clark: 4-H Advisor
Karli Hiler is a 10-year 4-Her in the Scissors to Sheep 4-H Club. During her 4-H career, Karli has exhibited rabbit projects and various pre-fair projects. In addition, Karli has been involved on the Shelby County Junior Fair Board and served as a Cloverbud Camp Counselor. Bill shared that Karli has grown both as a person and as a leader throughout 4-H career. She is someone that is not afraid to step up when an opportunity presents itself. Karli remains active in her church, community, and organizations she is involved with. We wish Karli luck as she attends The Ohio State University this fall!
Porter Depinet- Nominated by Anonymous Group
Porter Depinet is a member of the Perry Livestock 4-H Club. During his 4-H career, Porter has taken various poultry projects. In addition, Porter has been involved with the Shelby County Junior Fair Board and has served as a 4-H and Cloverbud camp counselor. Porter’s nominator shared that “Of all of the teens that have come through the JFB, there are few that have had the growth as Porter. It is amazing to see how far he has come during his time on the board. Porter is always willing to lend a helping hand whenever there are tasks that need done.” We want to wish Porter luck as he enters this next chapter.”
Sable Ruhenkamp- Nominated by Anonymous
Sable Ruhenkamp is a 10 year member of the Fort Loramie Livestock 4-H Club and actively involved in the Fort Loramie FFA Chapter. In addition, Sable has been involved on the Shelby County Junior Fair Board. Throughout her 4-H career, she has exhibited market swine projects. Sable’s nominator shared that “Sable is one of those people that is a silent worker. You often don’t hear much out of her, but she is always willing to step up and help her team out. I expect that Sable will take this same work ethic to Bowling Green where she will be continuing her education.”
Samantha Jacobs- Nominated by Sally Behr: 4-H Advisor
Samantha Jacobs is a 10 year 4-Her in the Merry Mod Makers 4-H Club. Throughout her 4-H career, she has held various club officer positions. Sally shared that Samantha’s knowledge and leadership has guided members in various Creative Arts projects. She is very involved with her church, community, and school. When she isn’t busy with above listed items, Samantha babysits for many families, cleans houses, and works at Al’s Bar & Grill. Samantha’s positive goals in life are sure to take her places. We wish her luck in her next chapter of life!
2022
Riley Barhorst, Creative Clovers 4-H Club
Nate Boerger, Merry Mod Makers 4-H Club
Hayden Huelskamp, Anna Livestock 4-H Club
Eliza Gariety, Russia Fashionettes 4-H Club
Adam Ballas, Merry Mod Makers 4-H Club
2021
Casey Delaet, Russia Livestock 4-H Club
Brooke Holthaus, Merry Mod Makers 4-H Club
Kennedy Jackson, Creative Clovers 4-H Club
Julia Thompson, Merry Mod Makers 4-H Club
Amber Zimpfer, Anna Livestock 4-H Club
2020
Addison Brewer, Paw Prints 4-H Club & Horse and Rider 4-H Club
Brianna Fitzgerald, Shelby County Livestock 4-H Club
Katelyn DeLoye, Merry Mod Makers 4-H Club
Alex Knouff, Fort Loramie Livestock 4-H Club
Morgan Kipker, Horse and Rider 4-H Club
Emily Holthaus, Merry Mod Makers 4-H Club
2019
Evan Luthman, Merry Mod Makers 4-H Club
Morgan Meyer, Anna Livestock 4-H Club
Jess Colby, Russia Livestock 4-H Club
Justin Puthoff, Fort Loramie Livestock 4-H Club
Emma Michael, Scissors to Sheep 4-H Club
2018
Emma Wilt, Merry Mod Makers 4-H Club
Katelynn Garber, Starting Farmers 4-H Club
Samantha Gaerke, Russia Livestock 4-H Club
Joseph Ballas, Merry Mod Makers 4-H Club
Addie White, Scissors to Sheep 4-H Club
2017
Collin Luthman, Merry Mod Makers 4-H Club
Riley Jackson, Merry Mod Makers 4-H Club
Emily Bohman, Russia Livestock 4-H Club
Hannah Michael, Scissors to Sheep 4-H Club
Maissen Akers, Progressive Livestock 4-H Club