In years past, the recognition banquet for Clark County 4-H has included recognizing seniors, achievement program participants, and club volunteers. This year, Extension Agents for Youth Development, Aubrey Lawson and Madalyn Hale decided to change how we recognize our youth and volunteers. We recognized our volunteers separately at another event so we were able to focus this banquet on the youth. With the help of a committee formed from 4-H Council members, a Youth Recognition Banquet was planned. The committee and agents came up with 6 awards for each club to nominate youth for, these included perfect attendance, rising star, grit and grace, golden rule, creative spirit, and emerging youth leader. Club leaders were contacted and asked to nominate youth from their respective clubs that embodied what each award was for and after nominations were received, invitations were sent out to let youth and families know that they received an award and inviting them to attend the banquet. In addition to the club awards, we recognized graduating seniors, junior club leaders, achievement program winners, as well as two national shooting sports competitors. Decorations, awards, and meal plans were made and the committee worked with agents to make this event special for the youth attending and receiving awards.

At the first Clark County Youth Recognition Banquet on April 25, 2025, we recognized nearly 65 youth with over 80 awards! This was a great way for us to celebrate what our youth do on a daily basis and recognize the hard work that they put in, as well as the skills that they are learning and putting in to practice. We were also able to introduce our youth, families, and volunteers to the Beyond Ready campaign and have a signing day for our seniors who are ready to enter the next phase of their life with the tools they gained through their 4-H participation.