Wood County 4-H celebrated their 4-H volunteers at their annual Awards Banquet on November 5, 2017, at the Butcher Bend 4-H Campground. The event was sponsored by Wesbanco.
Years of service certificates and pins were given out at the Awards Banquet to honor and recognize volunteer years of service to the Wood County 4-H program.
5 Year Silver Clover Award:
- Mike Daley
- Mindy Eaton
- Leah Lent
- Michelle Moore
- Lindsay Smith
- Tammy White
- Tara Swiger
10 Year Gold Clover Award:
- JoAnna Evans
- Erik Moles
- Connie Golden
15 Year Pearl Clover Award:
- Tom Boso
- Tara Harper
- Nancy Lupardus
- George Taylor
20 Year Diamond Clover Award:
- Becky Marks
- Dan Ramsey
25 Year Emerald Clover Award:
- Amy Affolter
- Dee Dee Adams
- Linda Moore
30 Year Ruby Clover Award:
- Ted Pigott
- Mollie Boso
35 Year Sapphire Clover Award:
- Linda Camp
50 Year Ruby Clover Award:
Three volunteer leaders were honored for a remarkable 50 years of service to Wood County 4-H. These volunteers were first recognized at a State 4-H Volunteer Recognition Ceremony at Jackson’s Mill and then recognized at the Wood County 4-H Awards Banquet for their outstanding contributions to the 4-H program.
Mary Buck has led hundreds of fund-raisers to support the county’s 4-H campground. Along with her husband and the Elliotts, Mary was an original founder of the Woodchucks 4-H Club, was actively involved in the youth conservation program and the Wood County Fair. Today you will still find Mary in the kitchen during fund-raisers, camps, and working behind the scenes of many 4-H activities. As the matriarch of a four generation 4-H family, Mary is an active Wood County 4-H All Star who has served as an inspiration to countless others during the last 50 years.
Known for her love of history, Nadine Hofmann has led the Daniel Boone 4-H Club since its beginning and still serves as the club’s organizational leader today. Nadine served as chaperone and lead fund-raiser for the Wood County 4-H Bicentennial Tour – where 47 teen leaders and volunteers spent 13 days touring several historical areas of Virginia, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Maryland, and the National 4-H Center. A 4-H All Star, Nadine was an integral member of the group that started the 4-H and Wood County Fair and served as the first secretary/treasurer of that group. Nadine Hofmann has made thousands of lives better through her commitment to the 4-H program
Carol Koontz began her 4-H career as a leader with the Cedar Grove Mountaineers. She later went on to organize the City Park Mustangs, a horse specialty club. Carol was the first volunteer camp director of the Wood County 4-H Horse Camp. As an active 4-H All Star, Carol continues to be an assistant organizational leader for the Woodchucks 4-H Club, leading the Cloverbud program, serving as a fund raiser, leading service projects, and planning the club’s many activities. Carol Koontz has made a tremendous impact on the lives of youth in Wood County.
Outstanding 4-H Leaders:
Two volunteers were selected as Outstanding 4-H Leaders and recognized at the state Volunteer Leader Recognition dinner at Jackson’s Mill and again at the Wood County 4-H Awards program. Norma Thomas and Julie Barnes have supported the 4-H program together for decades. Norma Thomas and Julie Barnes serve as co-instructors of 4-H camp craft classes each summer and support the 4-H campground together through fund-raisers. During 4-H camps you will always find Norma helping tirelessly in the camp kitchen, and Julie serving as a camp counselor at three county 4-H camps each summer. Julie Barnes also serves as an assistant organizational leader for the Lubeck Lucky Clovers 4-H Club, organizing the club’s cleanup day at Lubeck school, adopt-a-highway, and environmental program. Norma Thomas also serves as a volunteer leader with the Lubeck Lucky Clovers and sponsors multiple 4-H scholarships each summer, teaches quilting to club members, and sews the club’s annual quilt made of quilt blocks designed by members. This family has played a major part in the creation and continuation of the Lubeck Lucky Clovers’ famous “Taco Buggy” that is used as the club’s main fund-raiser. This dynamic mother/daughter duo has made a difference in the lives of countless young people in Wood County.
Outstanding All Star:
Lindsey Shawver was recognized at the state All Star awards banquet as the Wood County 4-H Outstanding All Star for her commitment to the 4-H program, continued volunteer service at the club, county and state levels, and her leadership as the Wood County All Star scribe. Lindsey Shawver has been a Wood County 4-H All Star for 7 years, a 4-H leader for 4 years, and a 4-H member for 13 years. During her time as a 4-H leader and All Star, Lindsey has served as a 4-H camp counselor, project leader, fund-raiser, state camp chaperone, livestock project helper, and scribe of the Wood County 4-H All Stars. Lindsey truly bleeds green and lives the All Star motto of Service in everything that she does.
Friend of 4-H Award:
Dr. David P. Bell, Ph.D was honored as Wood County 4-H Friend of 4-H at
the state volunteer recognition banquet at Jackson’s Mill and also at the county
4-H awards banquet. Dr. Bell created an endowment through WVU Foundation to provide
the youth of Wood and Ritchie Counties with the funds to travel to out-of-county
and state 4-H events. The fund was created in memory of his mother, the late Hortense
Hogue Bell-Butler, West Virginia 4-H All Star and former home demonstration agent
for WVU Extension Service. Dr. Bell is a 4-H alumnus and served on the WVU Extension
Service Committee as a Board of Governor in Wood County for six years. He established
the fund to honor the memory and legacy of his mother, and to ensure that future
generations of Wood and Ritchie County 4-H’ers will be able to attend out-of-county/state
events for years to come. His generosity and support have made and will continue
to make a difference in the lives of countless young people.