In a room filled with families and friends, Delta County 4-H members and leaders were in the spotlight during the annual achievement banquet, held Saturday, Nov. 7, in Delta.

Arla Nelson (left) presented the Outstanding Junior Member award to Dalton Rayley during Saturday night’s Delta County 4-H Achievement Night. Rayley, in his fifth year of 4-H, is a member of the Valley View Showmen 4-H Club and attends Hotchkiss K-8 School.

For many, it was an opportunity to recognize their participation in the program.

For others, the organization recognized individual achievement for outstanding effort in a wide variety of projects.

One of the early awards shows the strength of the organization supporting local 4-H. Isaac Muñoz, the Delta County Cooperative Extension 4-H Agent, accepted a national award for the Tri River Area Cooperative Extension from Rhonda Follman, Tri River Area Extension Director. The national award recognized the efforts of the Tri River Area and San Miguel County 4-H agents and staff in their outstanding support and development of the 4-H program.

Another special award was presented to Delta Implement for its 50 continuous years of support of Delta County 4-H.

Heidi Gruber, as county council president, presided over the festivities. Her active involvement in 4-H was recognized as she received numerous individual honors, including four special county awards. She is a senior at Hotchkiss High School.

Jami Reed was recognized for 11 years in 4-H, while Nikki Hunt, Danielle Kendall, Richard Kendall and Heather Raley were honored for 12 years in 4-H. Toni Conger was honored for 14 years in 4-H.

Another strength of Delta County 4-H is in its adult leadership. Pins were awarded to the 40 first year leaders. Five were honored for five years as leaders. Christen Chermak and Don French hit the 10-year mark as leaders, and Joyce Conger was honored for 25 years of very active involvement in the program.

The highlight of the night were the specail county awards.

Heidi Gruber, who was the master of ceremonies for the night, was the recipient of numberous awards for her outstanding efforts in many different projects. She received the Achievement in Animal Science award, sponsored by Delta Elevator and Meadow Gold; the Achievement in Communication Arts and Sciences award, sponsored by National RV Refrigeration; the Achievement in Community Development, Service and Government award, sponsored by First National Bank; and the Leadership Award, sponosred by Bank of the West. Gruber is a nine-year 4-H member and belongs to the Rocky Mountain 4-H Club, and was president of the Delta County 4-H County Council this past year.

Ashley Love received the 4-H Club Secretary Award, sponsored by Paper Works Ink.

Stephanie Sidor, a four-year member, received the Achievement in Individual and Family Resources award, sponsored by City Market and Delta Food Town. She belongs to the Big Sky 4-H Club.

Kyra Nelson, a member of the Green Acres 4-H Club, received the Achievement in Leisure Education and Cultural Arts award, sponsored by Wal-Mart. This is her ninth year in 4-H.

Kasey Miles, a member of the Saddle Mountain 4-H Club, received the Achievement in Ecology and National Resources award, sponosred by Farmers Union Insurance. He has been in 4-H for eight years.

Jeff Sidor, a member of Big Sky 4-H Club and a four year participant in 4-H, received the Achievement in Mechanical Sciences award, sponosred by Jim’s Outback RV Consignment.

Arla Nelson, a member of the Green Acres 4-H Club, received the Achievement in Plant Sciences award, sponsored by Sisson Feed and Seed. She has been in 4-H nine years.

Two Friends of 4-H were presented. The individual honor was given to Jeremy Sheldon for always being there to help and support 4-H kids. It was noted he spent many hours helping build a new pit to cook meat for the annual 4-H Beef Roast. The business honor went to Alpine Fencing, for being a consistent support of Delta County 4-H as buyers at the fair sale and sponsored of awards and saddles for many events.

Carter Keegan, a member of Saddle Mountain 4-H Club, received the Achievement in Citizens award, sponsored for Delta County Farm Bureau. This is his third year in 4-H.

The I Dare You Award of the American Youth Foundation recognizes leadership potential and is sponsored by Les and Ann Renfrow. This year’s recipients are Nikki Buhrdorft and Carissa Sidor.

Gwen Nelson was the Outstanding 4-H Leader. She has been a project leader for nine years, the organizational leader of the Green Acres 4-H Club, and county council leader advisor for five years. It was noted she “exhibits a giving heart, patience, and a generous spirit.” This award was sponosred by North Fork Bank.

Outstanding senior members of Delta County 4-H were Stephanie Conley, a member of the Prairie Rangers 4-H Club, and Toni Conger, a member of Big Sky 4-H Club. Both are seniors at Delta High School.

Toni Conger and Stephanie Conley were selected as the Outstanding Senior Members. Conger is in her 13th year of 4-H and a member of the Big Sky 4-H Club. Conley is a member of the Prairie Rangers 4-H Club and has been in 4-H for nine years. This award is sponsored by the Delta County Independent.

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