Awards and recognition

State Awards

State level 4-H awards are offered each year to individual members who have demonstrated outstanding contributions in the areas of leadership, citizenship, and communication. There is also an Excellence in Teamwork award.

• Applicants must be a currently enrolled intermediate or senior 4-H member
• Members can receive an award once as an intermediate and once as a senior, but there must be at least two years between applications and there must be a major difference in the project or its scope.
• Members may receive only one state award per year.
• For the Excellence in Teamwork award, the project must have taken place within the past 12 months.
• For every award, each county may submit one nominee for every 500 youth enrolled in their county (club enrollment).
• Applications must be written by the 4-H member(s).

For criteria on each award, click the links below (each award requires an essay and different sections of "My 4-H Resume"):

• Leadership
  • Two-page narrative (double-spaced, 12-point font, Times New Roman or Arial)
    • Includes descriptions of major leadership projects, what impact the applicant's leadership has had on others, and how the applicant has grown through leadership work.
  • A copy of the leadership portions of "My 4-H Resume" (sections 5 & 6)
  • One page of photographs in support of the narrative (not to include newspaper articles). Photos must have captions.
• Citizenship
  • Two-page narrative (double-spaced, 12-point font, Times New Roman or Arial)
    • Includes descriptions of major service projects, what impact the applicant's service projects have had, and how the applicant has grown through this work.
  • A copy of the Citizenship/Community Service portions of "My 4-H Resume" (sections 7 & 8)
  • One page of photographs in support of the narrative (not to include newspaper articles). Photos must have captions.
• Communication
  • Two-page narrative (double-spaced, 12-point font, Times New Roman or Arial)
    • Includes descriptions of communications done, what impact the applicant's communication has had, and how the applicant has grown through this work.
  • A copy of the Communication portion of "My 4-H Resume" (sections 9 & 10)
  • One page of photographs in support of the narrative (not to include newspaper articles). Photos must have captions.
• Team Community Service
  • Two-page narrative (double-spaced, 12-point font, Times New Roman or Arial)
    • Includes descriptions of project, how the team came up with the idea, resources involved (team members, agencies, supplies, equipment, money, etc.), How the team did the project, Results (who benefited, impacts, implications for future.

Applications are due in the State 4-H office by March 1. County Extension offices should forward their county nomination form to the State 4-H Office.

County Medals

County Medals are available to recognize 4 H members in project or activity areas who have demonstrated advanced accomplishments in a 4-H project, as well as in leadership and citizenship activities.

Counties must order and pay for medals directly from the National 4-H Supply Service.

Eligibility

• Members must be in the 7th through 12th grades
• Members may receive only one project medal per year
• Members may also receive a Fashion Revue Medal or an Achievement Medal in the same year they receive a project medal.
• If merited by outstanding accomplishment, members may receive the same medal once as an Intermediate and once as a Senior. (Exception: Fashion Revue and Achievement Medals may only be awarded once to any member).

Selection Procedure

Counties are responsible for developing a procedure to select county medal winners. It is recommended that counties form a Recognition Committee to review medal applications.

Guidelines for Evaluating County Medal Applications

Experiences in 4-H Projects and Activities - 50% As shown by:

• New knowledge, attitudes and skills learned
• Scope and characteristics of projects and activities
• Project and activity participation experiences

Experiences in 4-H Leadership - 25% As shown by:

• Leadership participation
• Offices held and committee assignments

Experiences in Citizenship and Community Service - 25% As shown by:

• Development of positive attitudes toward service to others
• Participation in citizenship and community service activities