Four area 4-H’ers have been selected to receive state 4-H project awards, more than 130 youth applied and only 50 were selected. The awards are given to youth who have demonstrated mastery, leadership, communication and service in a specific project area.

Washington County winners include: Madeline Hora, 17, of the Jackson Jets 4-H Club received a music project award, she is the daughter of Brian and Theresa Hora; Mitchell Hora, 18, of the Jackson Jets 4-H Club received a communication project award, he is the son of Brian and Theresa Hora; Lexi Marek, 18, of the Jackson Jets 4-H Club received an environment and sustainability project award, she is the daughter of Tim and Heather Marek; and Shelly Palmer, 18, of the Limecreek Limelights received a horticulture project award, she is the daughter of James and Donna Palmer.

The projects cover a variety of genres and provide 4-H’ers the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge in many areas. Cayla Taylor, a state 4-H program coordinator with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.said, “4-H’ers can choose from one or more project areas that allow them to develop skills and interests in the areas of healthy living, STEM, citizenship and leadership, as well as communication and the arts.”

Taylor explained that the 4-H’ers completed a written application and were interviewed, giving the applicants communication experiences. “Achieving a state 4-H project award is a great honor and testament to the 4-H’ers dedication to mastering skills in a project area, while also sharing their knowledge of the project with others through communications, leadership and citizenship opportunities,” said Taylor.

The award winners will be recognized at the State 4-H Recognition Awards Presentation held on June 27 at the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference in Ames. For more information on Washington County 4-H or how to get involved volunteering with the program, please contact the Washington County Extension Office at 319-653-4811.