(Atlantic, IA) – Cass County 4-H’ers and their families, volunteers and supporters gathered on Sunday, November 9th to celebrate the 2024-2025 4-H year at the County 4-H Awards Convention. Cass County Youth Coordinator Katelyn Bateman says the 4-H Alumni Award, given to 4-H alumni that have stayed active in supporting the local 4-H program, was presented to Curt Behrends. Curt was recognized by 4-H club members as someone who has supported 4-H in multiple ways. He currently serves as President of Grounds Committee, previously on the Fairboard and is always advocating for the program and allowing clubs to use the facilities free of charge all year round. He has been instrumental in ground improvements to the Fair Food stand and Beef Barn construction. Curt is a servant leader and truly a positive role model for our members to look up to.

Michelle Behrends was recognized as Cass County’s newest Honorary 4-H Member. That’s awarded to a member of the community who was not a Cass County 4-H member but supports and assists the local 4-H program. She has given countless hours to the program not only as a parent, Youth Action Committee member and chairperson, but today serves as co-president of Cass County Master Gardeners and takes immense pride in the garden spaces around the Community Building. Michelle is a huge advocate of 4-H and a leader in the community.

The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Weirich Welding. Duane, Logan, and the team are incredibly supportive of the Cass County 4-H program and the welding project area specifically. Duane started the Bucket of Junk contest, challenging young people to develop new skills more than 10 years ago. Since then, the business has opened its doors to 4-H and FFA members wanting to learn more about welding. Duane has served on the Cass County Fairboard and knows the demanding work that goes into youth getting exhibits ready for fair. Logan’s family continues to be actively involved in 4-H continuing the family tradition.

The 4-H Clubs stay active in the community completing service projects, recruiting new members, and documenting their year in multiple ways. Youth hold office roles which can complete books throughout the year and turn in for awards. This year nearly all clubs turned in officer books and participated in recruiting and service activities. Top Secretary and Historian Books went to Grant Guys & Gals; Top Treasurer Book and National 4-H Week Display went to Bear Grove Blazers. Top Community Service Award in 2024 went to Grove H.O.T. to complete multiple service projects during the year. The award for encouraging club participation in multiple program areas within 4-H went to Bear Grove Blazers, they received our Banner Club.

4-H leaders reaching milestones were recognized for their service. Receiving five-year recognition was Molly Wise with Pleasant Noble United. Club leaders that completed their first-year volunteering include: Amanda Will with Benton Franklin, Jenae Waters with Washington GEM, Brittney Weirich with Washington GEM, Carolyn Bruck with Washington GEM, Hillary Zellmer with Washington GEM, Darrin Petty as an Independent Member Mentor, Holly Oathoudt as an Independent Member Mentor, Jessica DeLage with Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids, and Kristin Alexander with Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids.

There were nineteen third graders that were Clover Kids and graduated into the 4-H. Youth who graduated from Cass County Clover Kids included: Cooper Amdor of Cumberland Clover Kids, Ellie Amos of Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids, Joslynn Baier of Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids, Avery Becker of Cumberland Clover Kids, Nora Brahms of Cumberland Clover Kids, Cassidy Buffington of Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids, Sawyer Chambers of Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids, Evan Euken of Grant Guys & Gals Clover Kids, Owen Honeck of Grant Guys & Gals Clover Kids, Isabelle Kardell of Bear Grove Blazers Clover Kids, Owen Niemann of Cass County Creators, Jericho Petersen of Bear Grove Blazers Clover Kids, Quade Robinson of Cass County Creators, Milo Sager of Cass County Creators, Molly Schuler of Cumberland Clover Kids, Reece Wheatley of Cumberland Clover Kids, Riley Wheatley of Cumberland Clover Kids, Baylor Wollum of Cumberland Clover Kids, Decker Wyman of Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids.

The event concluded with the installation of sixteen senior level 4-H’ers onto the 2025-2026 County 4-H Youth Council. Members are:

Oliver Becker of Union Leaders, Hudson Brock of Grove H.O.T., Karly Byers of Griswold Clubsters, Alyson Dreager of Bear Grove Blazers, Jacquelyn Freund of Washington GEM, Walker Gary of Bear Grove Blazers, Ada Hansen of Grant Guys & Gals, Ryanna Harrison of Griswold Clubsters, Lily Johnson of Grove H.O.T., Josephine Millikan of Griswold Clubsters, Leah Ohms of Union Leaders, Olivia Olson of Pymosa, Callie Rudy of Cowpokes, Colin Rudy of Cowpokes, Miraylie Stuart of Pymosa, and Kayedance Sturm of Cowpokes.

Members and leaders of all 4-H clubs in Cass County were recognized for club activities, and project awards completed throughout the year. Intermediate and Junior 4-H members who completed a record book received project awards based on leaders’ recommendation. Record books are rated on organization, appearance, goals and learning, spelling, and grammar. These project records should be well organized, neat, and show evidence of solid Citizenship, Communication, and Leadership activities to receive awards. High School record books are reviewed again for platinum, gold, silver, or bronze level awards.

Bear Grove Blazers members and awards include:

Abel Brockman: First Year 4-H Member

Brayden Carlson:

Catherine DeBord: Star Intermediate Record Book, Clothing, Food & Nutrition, Home Improvement, Music, Rabbit, Swine

Alyson Dreager: Overall Senior Record Book (Gold), Dog (Silver), Food & Nutrition (Silver), Photography (Silver), Sewing & Needle Art (Silver), Sheep, (Silver), Swine (Gold)

Dylen Dreager: Overall Senior Record Book (Gold), Home Improvement (Platinum), Poultry (Platinum)

Keagen Dreager: Swine, Woodworking

Walker Gary: Overall Senior Record Book (Platinum), Poultry (Platinum), Visual Art (Gold), County Level Award – Citizenship

Michael Hocamp: Overall Senior Record Book (Platinum)

Mya Hocamp: Food & Nutrition, Visual Art

Jamie Jacobsen: Completed a Record Book

Maggie Jacobsen: Completed a Record Book

Hunter Kardell: Star Junior Record Book, Mechanics

Lynsie Kardell: Star Intermediate Record Book, Goat, Photography, Sewing & Needle Art, Swine

Macie Kloewer: Rabbit

Maggie Kloewer: Food & Nutrition

Conner Mumm:

David Retallic: Overall Senior Record Book (Platinum), Food & Nutrition (Silver), Rabbit (Silver), Swine (Bronze), 4-H Graduate, Fairboard Record Book Completion Gift

Ethan Retallic: Star Junior Record Book, Beef, Food & Nutrition, Photography, Rabbit, Sewing & Needle Art, Swine, Visual Art, First Year 4-H Member

Sophia Retallic: Sewing & Needle Art, Visual Art

Nolan Sunderman:

Parker Walter: First Year 4-H Member

Carter Witzman: Overall Senior Record Book (Gold), 4-H Graduate, Fairboard Record Book Completion Gift

Benton Franklin members and awards include:

Ada Nichols: 4-H Graduate

Jett Nichols:

Braxton Scholl:

Faithlynn Scholl:

Madeline Schuler:

Blayre Steffen:

Brookelyn Steffen:

Brylee Steffen:

Brielle Wessling: First Year 4-H Member

Kylee Wessling:

Brant Will: 4-H Graduate

Caden Will:

Kyser Will:

Landrie Will:

Morgan Will:

Cowpokes members and awards include:

AJ Barber:

Micayla Betts:

Gavin Dougherty:

Jase Frederiksen:

Hayden Hansen: Star Junior Record Book, Horse & Pony, First Year 4-H Member

Shelby Hansen: Star Junior Record Book, Horse & Pony

Alex Jespersen:

Cadence Kennedy:

Cassidy Kennedy:

Clara Kennedy:

Kenadie Krause:

Gage Richter: First Year 4-H Member

Jenner Richter: First Year 4-H Member

Jovie Richter: First Year 4-H Member

Callie Rudy: Overall Senior Record Book (Gold), Horse & Pony (Gold)

Colin Rudy: Overall Senior Record Book (Gold), Swine (Bronze)

Julienne Schutt:

Garret Stetzel:

Kaylee Stetzel: 4-H Graduate

Kayedance Sturm: Overall Senior Record Book (Silver), Horse & Pony (Bronze)

Grant Guys & Gals members and awards include:

Ethan Akers: First Year 4-H Member

Avery Bower: First Year 4-H Member

Macy Burg: Overall Senior Record Book (Platinum), Home Improvement (Platinum), Photography (Platinum), Sewing & Needle Art (Platinum)

Brayden Dawson: Beef, Swine

Hayden Dennis:

Colby Euken: Star Junior Record Book, Beef, Clothing, Communication, Photography, Swine, Vet Science, Woodworking

George Fountas:

Ashton Hagen:

Graham Hagen:

Tiana Hagen:

Ada Hansen: Overall Senior Record Book (Platinum), Food & Nutrition (Platinum), County Level Award – Achievement

Isaac Hansen: Star Intermediate Record Book, Beef, Clothing, Communication, Food & Nutrition

Mack Hansen: Star Junior Record Book, Beef, Clothing, Photography, Self-Determined, Sewing & Needle Art, Vet Science

Myah Honeck:

Marcus Jarosik:

Jenna Jensen:

Kace Kinney:

Keeley Kinney:

Kambry Langfelt: Beef

Cooper Metheny:

Emma Meyer:

Gavin Meyer:

Kennedy Meyer:

Remington Stokley:

Haidyn Suhr:

Landon Tibken:

Logan Tibken:

Dexten Westfall Thomas:

Ayden Yeager:

Griswold Clubsters members and awards include:

Breken Amos: Meat Goat, First Year 4-H Member

Laena Amos: Star Junior Record Book, Meat Goat, First Year 4-H Member

Raylea Amos: Star Intermediate Record Book, Beef

Adalyn Buffington: First Year 4-H Member

Blaine Buffington:

Karly Byers: Overall Senior Record Book (Platinum), Horse & Pony (Gold), Meat Goat (Gold)

Bristol Chambers: Star Junior Record Book, Visual Art

Adaline Gade:

Ella Gade:

Rayla Harrison:

Ryanna Harrison: Overall Senior Record Book (Platinum), Meat Goat (Platinum)

Ryleigh Harrison: 4-H Graduate

Josephine Millikan: Overall Senior Record Book (Gold), Civic Engagement (Silver), Clothing (Platinum), Food & Nutrition (Platinum), Home Improvement (Gold), Sewing & Needle Art (Platinum), Visual Art (Gold)

Easton Orstad:

Emily Orstad:

Logan Orstad:

BrookLynne Peterson: 4-H Graduate

Cooper Scholl:

Tanner Scholl:

Mark Shaw:

Grayson Smith:

Natalyn Smith: First Year 4-H Member

Nollan Smith:

Grove H.O.T. members and awards include:

Hudson Brock: Overall Senior Record Book (Gold), Civic Engagement (Gold), Communications (Platinum), Leadership (Silver), Music (Platinum), Poultry (Silver)

D’artagnan Hansen: Overall Senior Record Book (Silver), Poultry (Gold), First Year 4-H Member

Conner Johnson: Overall Senior Record Book (Gold), Civic Engagement (Silver), Food & Nutrition (Gold), Poultry (Gold), 4-H Graduate, Fairboard Record Book Completion Gift

Lily Johnson: Overall Senior Record Book (Platinum), Civic Engagement (Gold), Clothing (Gold), Diary Goat (Gold), Food & Nutrition (Gold), Meat Goat (Gold), Poultry (Gold), Woodworking (Gold), County Level Award – Learning through Livestock

Paislee Klever: Overall Senior Record Book (Bronze),

Zander Pieken: 4-H Graduate

Madeline Richter: 4-H Graduate

Claire Schroder:

Pleasant Noble United members and awards include:

Conlan Amos: Star Intermediate Record Book, Poultry

Gunner Amos:

Zoey Amos: Overall Senior Record Book (Silver)

Alayna Preston:

Emma Ritter:

Gage Ritter:

Kailey Swain: Overall Senior Record Book (Gold), 4-H Graduate, Fairboard Record Book Completion Gift

Hunter Wise:

Pymosa members and awards include:

Lilly Casey:

Jersey Green: First Year 4-H Member

Kord Gross: First Year 4-H Member

Adelyn Hansen: Completed a Record Book, First Year 4-H Member

Gavin Hansen: Completed a Record Book, First Year 4-H Member

Kenadie Krause:

Ma’lia Krause: First Year 4-H Member

John McCurdy:

Lucy McCurdy:

Margaret McCurdy:

Amelia Olsen:

Jack Olsen: First Year 4-H Member

Norah Olsen: First Year 4-H Member

Olivia Olson: Overall Senior Record Book (Platinum), Leadership (Gold), Photography (Gold), County Level Award – Leadership

Oakley Skow: Star Junior Record Book, Dog, Food & Nutrition, Photography, Poultry

Miraylie Stuart: Overall Senior Record Book (Platinum), Beef (Platinum)

Teague Stuart: Completed a Record Book

Adalynn Williams: Completed a Record Book, First Year 4-H Member

Brynlee Williams: Completed a Record Book

Union Leaders members and awards include:

Oliver Becker: Star Intermediate Record Book, Clothing, Food & Nutrition, Health, Meat Goat

Reilly Becker: Overall Senior Record Book (Bronze)

Sadie Becker:

Sawyer Becker:

Bay Erickson: Star Intermediate Record Book, Clothing, Food & Nutrition, Photography, Rabbit, Visual Art

Gage Erickson: Star Junior Record Book, Clothing, Food & Nutrition, Outdoor Adventures, Photography

Kohen Erickson: First Year 4-H Member

Clay Feese:

Joshua Feese:

Logan Frederiksen: First Year 4-H Member

Avery Lee: Star Junior Record Book, Food & Nutrition, Visual Art

Bryson Lee: Food & Nutrition, Woodworking

Hunter Miller:

Eden Ohms: Poultry

Jase Ohms: Poultry, Sewing & Needle Art, Sheep, Vet Science, First Year 4-H Member

Leah Ohms: Overall Senior Record Book (Platinum), Beef (Gold), Photography (Gold), Poultry (Platinum), Sewing & Needle Art (Gold), Sheep (Platinum), Vet Science (Gold)

Washington GEM members and awards include:

Colton Anderson:

Maddy Anderson: Overall Senior Record Book (Gold), Swine (Silver), County Level Award – Danforth I Dare You

Natalie Boose: Rabbits, Visual Art

Bentley Bruck:

Tate Cappel:

Tenley Cappel:

Landrey DeVore:

Jacquelyn Freund: Overall Senior Record Book (Platinum), Home Improvement (Gold), Beef (Gold), Clothing (Gold),

Macy Freund: Star Junior Record Book, Clothing, Food & Nutrition

Annette Hoffmann: Completed a Record Book, First Year 4-H Member

Calon Huddleson: Completed a Record Book, First Year 4-H Member

Emma Kay: First Year 4-H Member

Madison Kay:

Morgan Kirchner: Star Junior Record Book, Poultry, Self-Determined, Sewing & Needle Art

Brinley Knudsen:

Faith Larsen:

Gracelyn Larsen: Completed Record Book

Lana Leyh: First Year 4-H Member

Lexi Leyh:

Paige Marnin: First Year 4-H Member

Lane Robinson:

Quincy Robinson:

Mckinley Sandbothe: First Year 4-H Member

Callen Waters: Swine, Woodworking, First Year 4-H Member

Gentry Waters: Star Junior Record Book, Clothing, Swine, Visual Art

Olivia Weirich: Pets, Visual Art, First Year 4-H Member

Cade Wickard: First Year 4-H Member

Paxton Wickard:

Zach Zellmer: Overall Senior Record Book (Gold)

Independent 4-H Members

Grant Petty: Overall Senior Record Book (Silver)

Jake Wailes: Completed Record Book

Joaquin Wailes: Completed Record Book, 4-H Graduate

Leighton Wailes: Completed Record Book

Ashley Skow, Certified Professional Photographer and owner of Ashley Skow Photography in Atlantic, Iowa, generously volunteered her time and professional services to photograph the 4-H County Convention. The portraits capture highlight the dedication, leadership, and achievements of local 4-H members and volunteers within our community. We extend our sincere thanks to Ashley Skow Photography for donating her time and talent to help showcase the achievements of our 4-H youth and volunteers.

For more information about joining the Cass County 4-H program any time of the year as a 4-H member or adult volunteer, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass, call 712-243-1132, or email kbateman@iastate.edu to contact the Cass County Extension office.