COBDEN — Scott Hamilton, who has been involved in 4-H for nine y ears, was presented with the Jennifer McVeigh Fellowship Award at the annual Renfrew County 4-H Awards Night held Friday night at the Cobden Agricultural Hall.
But, he wasn’t the only 4-H participant honoured. Several awards were presented, including the completed project awards.
4-H is more than just the farm clubs. It now encompasses every aspect of life, said president Nancy Schultz. In the preceding year, 180 members, aged nine to 21, participated in 28 different clubs.
“We do the most clubs in Eastern Ontario,” Ms. Schultz said.
There are so many clubs, “because there are a lot of dedicated leaders who are willing to try the different clubs,” Ms. Schultz said. She said if a 4-H member wants to participate in a certain club, he approaches a leader who will then talk with the other leaders and the 4-H organization, to see if it’s possible.
Last year’s clubs included Beachburg Dairy, Bonnechere Valley Geocaching, Breakfast Bonanza, Card Making, Cobden Dairy, Cobden Plowing, Craft Club, Girls Night Out, Rabbit Club, Renfrew Miniature Horse, Showstoppers Beef, Squaredancing, and Outdoor Adventures.
The Cloverbuds is also a club, but it’s for those who are aged 6 to 8 and are too young for 4-H, but want the experience of 4-H.
Ms. Schultz said when it came time to determine who would receive various individual awards, it was difficult.
“There are a lot of deserving nominees,” she said. “The interviewers are having a hard time making a decision because there are so many worthy participants.”
The evening, which saw about 200 attend, included supper, which was sponsored by the Renfrew County Cattlemen’s Association and the Renfrew County Ontario Federation of Agriculture; member Johanna Dwyer made all the cookies and the Dairy Farmers of Renfrew County donated the milk.
There was also a photobooth, which allowed the participants to get crazy group photos, she said.
“It was free and sponsored by the Renfrew County 4-H Association,” she said. ‘The kids loved it.”
Following the presentation of awards, Scott Hamilton said he was honoured, as well as humbled, to receive the Jennifer McVeigh award.
“I am very humbled that I was chosen for this award as I believe it represents everything 4-H stands for,” he said. “It’s not about the competitions, but more about learning and teaching others and making friends and making the community a better place.”
Mr. Hamilton is now too old for 4-H, but he’s still involved, as he recently became a 4-H leader. He joined when he was 11 years old and is now 20.
“I love 4-H,” he said, “because of the community and the people involved with it. It is a great chance for people to learn something new, to make new friends and to learn in a way that’s different from school.”
Now in his third year at Carleton University in the computer engineer program, Mr. Hamilton said he’s looking forward to the summer, when he returns home and can lead clubs again.
For various awards presented that evening, please go to www.whitewaternews.ca
