The annual 4-H Achievement Night was held Friday, Nov. 13, at the KC Hall in Carlinville. Around 190 4-H members, their families and guests attended this year's dinner and awards presentation. Congratulations to all the award winners and honorees.

2009 Outstanding 4-H Member Awards were presented to Ashley Brim of Bunker Hill, Alyssa Cole of Girard, and Rebecca Wolff of Brighton. Members are selected based on participation in the local club, project enrollment, exhibits, participation in programs, leadership, community activities, and support of 4-H.

The William McAllister Scholarship was created to encourage 4-H members to pursue education beyond the high school level. Recipients are chosen for their academic achievements, community involvement, 4-H accomplishments, and financial need. The McAllister Scholarship was awarded to Renee Young of Carlinville.

Daniel Komnick of Bunker Hill was honored as the Outstanding Agriculture Member and Danielle Cole of Girard was awarded the Outstanding Home Economics 4-H Member for 2009. Their project work and growth in these areas helped them to earn these top honors.

The Building on Excellence Award was awarded to Becca Kallal of Chesterfield. This honor is presented to the 4-H members who score 90 or above on the Illinois Member Record for the first time. The Macoupin County 4-H Foundation provides a $50.00 savings bond to those who reach this level of performance.

The William Danforth Foundation presents the "I Dare You" Award to young people who are willing to strive for high honors in leadership and community service. This year's winners were Justine Humphreys of Chesterfield and Keegan Gaines of Worden.

The State Blue Award is awarded to 4-H members that receive outstanding scores on their Illinois State 4-H Award Application in areas ranging from community involvement and global awareness, engineering, environment, animal science, and personal development. Macoupin County had three 4-H members earn this top honor: Rebecca Wolff of Brighton received state recognition in the area of animal science, Ashley Brim of Bunker Hill and Alyssa Cole of Girard received state recognition n the area of food, nutrition, and health. These three young ladies will also be taking part in 4-H National Congress this November.

The Macoupin County 4-H program also recognizes members who complete their final year membership requirements and have surpassed the enrollment age. Receiving Membership Recognition for 2009 were Jared Albert of Piasa and Ethan Eades of Hettick.

Each year, the Macoupin County 4-H program honors an individual or group who has supported the 4-H program through time and service. This year the Outstanding Service Award went to the late Beth Kaburick.

Alumni Awards are presented to adults who were once 4-H members and then returned their knowledge and skills gained to youth in their community. This year's recipients were the late Clarence Christin, Flora Glenn of Chesterfield, Debra Weinman of Brighton, and the late Ralph Spencer.

Special recognition was given to Lexy Schafer of Brighton who was Illinois State Grand Champion with her Rabbits at the Illinois State Fair this past summer.

Other individuals who received awards were Renee Young of Carlinville received the Past Federation President pin. Ashley Brim of Bunker Hill received the Carney Memorial Leadership Award. Best Secretary was Erika Conrady of Palmyra and Michael Halpin of Dorchester. Best Historians were Meghan Wolff and Jennifer Robbins of Bunker Hill and Amanda Ahrens, Colleen Craft, Kaylee Gaines, Keegan Gaines, Danielle Koskie and Connor Gaines of the Stauntoneers Club; Best Treasurer was Anne Robbins of Bunker Hill and Justine Humphreys of Chesterfield; Best Reporter was Dylan Rosentreter of Gillespie and Kaylee Gaines of Worden; Best Scrapbook Page was Meghan Wolff and Jennifer Robbins of Bunker Hill and Tayler Cameron of Chesterfield.

This year one of Macoupin County 4-H clubs, the Stauntoneers, was honored with a State Club Award in two areas Agriculture and Community Involvement and Global Awareness.

Awards were also presented to the following clubs: Outstanding Clubs Clever Clovers, Clover Cadets, Four by Four, and Stauntoneers. Health Awards went to Brighton Farmhands, Clever Clovers, and Piasa Birds. International Awards were given to Clever Clovers, Lucky Birds, and Lucky Bunch. We Care Award went to Brighton Farm Hands, Bunker Hill Livewires, and Stauntoneers. Club with Most 1^st Year Members was Stauntoneers. Dairy Promotion Awards went to Bunker Hill Livewires, Lucky Bunch, Clever Clovers, and Clover Cadets. Pork Promotion Winners were Clever Clovers, Four by Four and Lucky Bunch.

Besides this county-wide event, many clubs will hold local achievement recognitions to distribute various awards to members for their project work and club participation. 4-H members are to be congratulated for their efforts to enhance learning through 4-H project work and for helping make their community and world a better place through community service.