| County's
top 4-Hers are named
Idaho County Free Press Winners of the Idaho County 4-H Achievement Awards include juniors Laney Forsmann, Halle Klapprich and Aliyah Pineda, intermediate members Brandon Costa, Kate Lustig, Paige Lindsley and Kodie Tidwell, and senior members Nichole Blackmer, Jayce Huling and Marisa Lustig. In addition, Idaho County 4-H leaders Joel and Nancy Costa of the Kooskia area were honored with the Idaho County Volunteer Leaders Distinguished Service Award 2015. This award recognizes an outstanding 4-H adult volunteer leader who has demonstrated leadership, initiative, dedication and commitment to the Idaho County 4-H Program. The Costas are leaders in the Tahoe Hillbillies 4-H Club. According to Idaho County 4-H director Susie Heckman, during the year, club leaders keep track of all of the members’ activities, giving points for their participation. “Club leaders submit their top point earners to the 4-H Extension office at the end of the 4-H year,” she explained. “The top point earners from all of the 4-H clubs in the county are given to the 4-H Program Council and the 4-H Achievement Award winners are selected.” Heckman said the purpose of the achievement award is to recognize 4-H’ers who exemplify the goals of the Idaho County 4-H Program. Emphasis for the award includes overall achievement, leadership and citizenship.  “The favorite thing I like to do is to have an animal for me to play and learn with,” she said. “I’ve learned how good I can get and how bad I can get.” Forsmann said she thinks it is good for kids to take 4-H because “it gives tham a little bit of adulthood.”  “I like doing all my projects and learning new stuff. My favorite project is raising my steer. That was an awesome experience,” Klapprich said. She has also taken cake decorating, sheep, Making the Most of Me and sewing. “I really like 4-H because I like to have a good experience with my projects. The best part is bringing my projects to the fair.” Klapprich said she has learned to be more responsible in everything she does. “I also learned that I need time management in a big project like Making the Most of Me. I learned to do a little bit at a time and not all at once,” she added. “I learned to take notes at every meeting so my 4-H book can be easier to fill out.”  “My favorite thing would be how you are learning different things whether it’s in yourself, in your project or even in other people. Someone might be really shy, but you learn that they’re actually phenomenal at giving presentations,” she said. “Or you might realize how much effort it takes to make a presentable cake. Over the past years in 4-H, I have learned many of these things and that knowledge helps you be a better 4-Her.” Pineda said she has learned that she is actually pretty good at giving presentations to her club. “I have had lots of demonstrations that I have given to my clubs and I have learned many things about my topics and research on these demonstrations,” Pineda said. “I think demonstrations help you in a lot of different ways like public speaking, how to write a paper, how to make a poster and how to present it. Even if demonstrations to take some time I think they do help with many things that you will definitely need in life.”  “My favorite thing about 4-H is making friends and great memories,” he said. “Whether we are at club meetings, project meetings or other 4-H events we have fun.” “I have learned that I enjoy leading meetings and talking to groups of people,” he said. “Public speaking at first seemed scary but now I like speaking my thoughts or opinions and hearing what others say as well.”  “My favorite thing about 4-H is the fair. At the fair you have finished your project and can relax and have fun,” she said. “I also take horse 4-H, so when we start the games at the horse show I just have so much fun.” She said she has learned that she is not going to quit something even if it’s challenging. “I always finish each project I commit to that year,” she said. “I also learned that I am open to trying new things.”  “My favorite part of 4-H is the feeling of family it brings,” Lindsley said. “It makes me feel like I have a second family I could reach out to.” “I have learned that I have a knack for leadership even if it makes me nervous,” she added. “I have also learned that I really enjoy the experience of taking care of an animal and presenting it.”  “My favorite thing about 4-H is meeting new people and being able to be with and learn about animals. I also really like to help the younger members and see their excitement about 4-H,” she said. “I’ve learned how to talk in front of people and how to talk to people. I’ve learned that you need to be really organized and can’t procrastinate.” Through the years Tidwell has taken sheep, horse, dairy heifer and Making the Most of Me projects. “I am very thankful to my parents, 4-H leaders over the years and most importantly Betty Campbell who has not only been my 4-H leader, but also the best Grandma,” she added.  “My favorite thing about 4-H is all the new skills I am learning. It not only helps me with 4-H, but also in life. One of the things I have realized is that you have to practice to be good at something,” Blackmer said. “Another favorite thing of mine is all the activities I get to participate in, such as the horse show, and county and state competitions.” Blackmer said she has learned she has to have things very organized and done ahead of time. “Being secretary of the club really helps with that,” she said. “It lets me be organized and have a major role in the 4-H community.” Blackmer said she thanks Molly Stowers, her 4-H leader, “for everything she has done for me, from teaching me how to ride a horse, to teaching me many new life skills.”  “My favorite thing about 4-H is getting to meet new people, learning new skills, and growing as a person in a leadership role,” Huling said. “I have learned that I enjoy being a part of something that makes a difference in kids’ lives and the community I live in.”  “My favorite thing about 4-H is learning more about my interests,” she said. “I have done a leather and cooking projects.” Lustig said she likes to pick challenging projects and stays dedicated until they are finished. “4-H has allowed me to participate in community service and give demonstrations,” she said. “I have learned many skills through 4-H that will help me in the future.” 
Joel and Nancy Costa received the 4-H Leaders Distinguished Service Award. |
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