Approximately 60 4-H members and their families attended the annual 4-H Awards Banquet at the Refugio County Expo Center Aug. 9. The annual 4-H Achievement Night is sponsored by the 4-H Booster Club.

This year’s theme was It Takes Team Work to Make the Dream Work.

Following dinner, Laura McGuill, president of the 4-H County Council, presided as mistress of ceremonies.

Caitlin Lange, District 11 council chairman, was the guest speaker. Brooke Williams and Katie Bernal presented gifts to club managers A.J. Lopez of Bonnie View, Kellie Beall and Kelley Myers of Blanconia, Melissa Garcia and Rachael Garcia of Mission, Patty Shay of Brushpoppers, and Melissa Kelso of Rough Riders.

Tina McGuill announced the 2009 scholarship recipients which included the Cletis Dulin $1000 Memorial Scholarship, which was awarded to Laura McGuill; and the 4-H Booster Club $300 scholarships to Jacob Cobb, Laura McGuill and Clay Rathkamp.

Shelby Bellows and Kaitlin McCool announced the Achievement Awards which were given to: Seniors Katie Bernal, Quentin Bellows, Shelby Bellows, Taylor Bellows, Amber Garcia, and Alexa Montemayor; Intermediates Cecilia Bauer, Lacie Beall, Morgan Klaevemann, Kalton Klare, H.C. Neel and Logan Myers; Juniors Ti Beall, Kodye Neel, and Anthony McGuill.

The presentation of the project and year pins were made by Daniel Shay and Katie Bernal.

Beef awards were presented to Abbey Hicks, Peyton Levien, Megan Montemayor, H.C. Neel, Kodye Neel; Food & Nutrition to Laura McGuill; Goat to Ti Beall, Courtney Myers, Cristopher Payne, Sean Ponce; Horse to Lacie Beall; Photography to Clay Rathkamp; Poultry: Morgan Klaevemann, Dalton Klare, Logan Myers; Rabbit to Cecilia Bauer, Katie Bernal, Summer Hesseltine, Madison Preston, Cameron Sternadel, Allie Upton, Trey Upton, Ryan Williams, Tyler Williams; Sheep: Shelby Bellows, Farrell Flowers, McKayla Ramos, Brooke Williams; Shooting Sports to Anthony McGuill; Swine to Quentin Bellows, Taylor Bellows, Amber Garica, Alexa Montemayor, Derek Ressmann.

The highlight of each year’s achievement banquet is the naming of the 4-H Gold Star award winners and the Friend of 4-H. Gold Star is the highest honor presented to a 4-Her at the county level, and is the culmination of their years of 4-H project work, citizenship, leadership, and community service. This year’s Gold Star winners were Katie Bernal, and Alexa Montemayor.

The Friend of 4-H award is presented to the individual or group who contribute time, financial support, and effort to the 4-H program over a lengthy period of time. Margaret McGuill and Ruben Garcia were named as the 2009 Friends of 4-H recipients.

In addition, 4-H members can apply for and go through an interview process for other honors and awards.

Katie Bernal was named the 4-H Refugio County Queen. The Outstanding Intermediate Awards were presented to Dalton Klare and Logan Myers.

The I Dare You Awards were given to Shelby Bellows and Taylor Bellows. The 4-H Jacket Award was given to Ti Beall, H.C. Neel, and Kodye Neel.

Laura McGuill was awarded the Ed Stratmann Award in honor of her service and commitment to 4-H.