4–H honoured its best last Friday in Stratton

Ken Johnston
Editor

The annual Rainy River District 4–H Awards Banquet was held last Friday evening in Stratton.
About 100 people were on hand to honour the accomplishments of the 73 district 4–H members. This year the prestigious DeGagne Award, presented since 1960, was awarded to Jay Neilson of Stratton. Neilson accumulated the greatest number of points during the last three years in Beef Club Work. He received a trophy and $100 prize.
The Rainy River District 4–H Leader’s Assoc. & Toronto Dominion/Canada Trust Award award for best essay on “What 4–H means to me” went to Aaron Kuorikoski of Stratton. He received a plaque as well as $100 cash.
The Rainy River Cattlemen’s Assoc. Show Award went to Riley Caul, Hannah Firth and Matthew Beacham. They received gift certificates towards show halters.
Special Awards for completed projects were as follows:
6 Projects
Dan Caul, Jodi Caul, Rebecca Cornell and Paula Sletmoen,
12 Projects
Jeff Hyatt, Joey Sletmoen, Jeff Teeple and Sheila Teeple.
24 Projects
Selene LeBlanc and Linda Zimmerman. They each received a limited edition print.
Leader certificates for leaders volunteering for five years where presented to Margie Gemmell, Murray Gemmell, Becky Steele and Lorretta LeBlanc.
First time leaders were presented with pins. They were Denise Donalson, Ken Fisher, Simone LeBlanc and Jason Teeple.
First year members were recognized with certificates. They were Matthew Anderson, Michelle Bonot, Riley Caul, Garnet Cornell, David Donaldson, Hannah Firth, Theo Heyens, Kelsey Jolicouer, Sarah McTavish, Peter Sopotiuck, Matthew Beacham, Jennifer Carmody, Sarah Caul, Shannon Darby, Jessica Engels, Mitchell Gallinger, Janice Hoskins, Alisha Langlais, Brianna Shortree and Ashe Woolsey.
Second year members were also recognized with certificates. They were Jennifer Badiuk, Chantelle Bragg, Cory Forbes, Hailey Heyens, Teila Michl, Anthony Boersema, Ashley Cross, Chantel Heyens, Cameron Jolicouer, Ashley Sharp and Matt Smith.
The volunteers that made 4–H a success in 2001 were also recognized. They were Shirley Morrish, Carol Angus, Louise Bliss, Marie Sinninghe, Helen Cates, Elaine Aveyard, Ellen Chojko-Bolec, Joanne Neilson, Wilma Sletmoen, Wilma Esselink, Lorretta LeBlanc, Murray Gemmell, Tracy Hyatt, Lori McKay, Sue Boersma, Tony Bliss, Mark LaFleur, Denise Donaldson, Jason Teeple, Eleanor Wiersema, Alwine Teeple, Sharon Johnson, Susan Irvine, Vicki Calder Debbie Zimmerman, Kim Jo Bliss, Ellen Caul, Kathy Mecure, Peggy Dorrie, Margie Gemmell, Becky Steele, Pam Advent, Rick Boersma, Cindy Nielson, Wanda Heyens, Pat Clysdale-Cornell, Ken Fisher and Simone LeBlanc.
Youth leaders honoured were Stacey Angus, Jeff Hyatt, Aaron Kuorikoski, Laura Zimmerman and Linda Zimmerman.
Deb Zimmerman was also honoured for serving as president for 4 years. The new president is Wilma Sletmoen. Sletmoen thanked all who helped make the year a success but gave special recognition for the efforts of Kim Jo Bliss.
Helping with the funding needed to keep 4–H going was the Kiwanis Club of Fort Frances. Shirley Dolph of the Kiwanis presented president Sletmoen with a $500 donation.
Guest speaker for the evening was Simone LeBlanc who was also honoured for staying in 4–H from the time she was 10 until 21; the maximum stay for anyone in 4–H. She spoke about how 4–H had benefitted her life, noting that she had been to many provincial functions that taught her a great deal. She also participated in an International Youth Trade conference in New York and was selected to represent Ontario.
LeBlanc said, “4–H presented me with many opportunites. Opportunities that helped me choose many paths in life so far.” She encouraged the 4–H’ers present to, “Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Don’t be afraid to be yourself or to go alone.