2025 KAUFMAN COUNTY 4-H AWARDS AND RECOGNITION GUIDELINES
NOTICE: All 4-H members applying for awards (Gold, Silver or Bronze Star; Rookie, Honor Roll, All- Star Letterman; Danforth or Outstanding Community Service, must submit the appropriate paperwork and applications on or before June 20, 2025! Award Interviews will be on July 14-18, 2025 at the Kaufman County Extension Office. Record books for county competition will be due May 23, 2025. If you do not complete your record book by the deadline, you will forfeit your award (only for awards requiring a recordbook). Awards based on 4-H Grade. Kaufman County 4-H Awards Night: TBA
RECORDBOOK PINS:
To recognize 4-H members for completion of project work and 4-H participation. 4-H members must complete an awards program record book during the current year. Must meet program objectives of project area and record book must be signed by the current club manager. This is open to all 4-H ages: clover, junior, intermediate, and senior. Participants record books that score at least a red ribbon quality or better on the county level will receive a $10.00 membership scholarship to the next years membership. Participants record books that qualify for district competition will receive a $20.00 membership scholarship to the next years membership.
PROJECT COMPLETION CERTIFICATE:
To recognize 4-H members for completion of project work and 4-H participation. 4-H members must complete an awards program record book during the current year. Must meet program objectives of project area and record book must be signed by the current club manager. This is open to all 4-H ages: clover, junior, intermediate, and senior. Below is the expectations for each age group.
Project Pages for Junior, Intermediate and Senior Division.
PARTICIPATION RECOGNITION: To celebrate 4-H members that participated in county, district and state 4-H events. Project participation - Ribbon Activity Form
JUNIOR AWARDS
ROOKIE AWARD: (Record Book required & Fundraiser Participation required)
To recognize outstanding first and second year 4-H members. 4-H members may receive this award only one time. The 4-H member must meet the requirements in the Rookie Application. All candidates will be required to participate in an interview as part of the selection process. Rookie Award winners will receive a green clover recognition pin presented at the Kaufman County 4-H Awards Night.
ALL STAR AWARD: (Record Book required & Fundraiser Participation required)
To recognize 4-H members third to fifth grade. 4-H members may receive this award only one time. A 4-H Honor Roll Award checklist must be turned in. All requirements of the Honor Roll Award Checklist may be completed in one year or within the time that a member is a Junior. Honor roll award winners will receive a bronze clover recognition pin presented at the Kaufman County 4-H Awards Night.
OUSTANDING JUNIOR 4-H’er (Record Book required & Fundraiser Participation required)
To recognize outstanding achievements by 4-H members who are in the third grade to fifth grade. The member must have been in 4-H for at least one year. A 4-H member may receive the award only once. The Outstanding Junior Star Award will be presented to the most deserving young people. The 4-H member must complete an application and submit a record book. All candidates will be required to participate in an interview as part of the selection process. The number of awards will be determined by the awards and recognition judges, with the number of awards given to the most deserving individuals.
HELPING HANDS (No interview required)
This award will be presented at the 4-H Achievement Banquet to 4-Hers who have performed services for the benefit of the public. One award per age category may be given each year. Community service is defined as “providing assistance that benefits someone outside of the 4-H family.” Applications must be completed and returned to the extension office by June 20, 2025. A 4-Hers may receive the award only on time in each category. No interview is required. Applications will be judged by a panel of judges.
INTERMEDIATE AWARDS
ROOKIE AWARD: (Record Book required & Fundraiser Participation required)
To recognize outstanding first and second year 4-H members. 4-H members may receive this award only one time. Applicants may be of any age. The 4-H member must meet the requirements of and turn in a Rookie Application. Rookie Award winners will receive a green clover recognition pin presented at the Kaufman County 4-H Awards Night.
ALL STAR AWARD: (Record Book required & Fundraiser Participation required)
When 4-H members become intermediate 4-H members, he/she may begin work on the All Star Award. 4-H members may receive this award only one time. Requirements may be completed in one year or may be accumulated over the years as an Intermediate. All 4-H members grades 6-8 are eligible to receive this award one time. A 4-H All Star Award Application must be turned in. All Star Award winners will receive a gold clover recognition pin presented at the Kaufman County 4-H Awards Night.
OUTSTANDING INTERMEDIATE 4-H’er: (Record Book required & Fundraiser Participation required)
To recognize outstanding achievements by 4-H members grades 6-8. Any 4-H member may receive the award only once. The Silver Star Award will be presented to the most deserving young person. The member must have completed at least two years in 4-H including the current year. The 4-H member must complete an application and submit a record book. All candidates will be required to participate in an interview as part of the selection process. The number of Silver Stars to be awarded will be determined by the awards and recognition judges, with the number of awards given to the most deserving individuals.
HELPING HANDS (No interview required)
This award will be presented at the 4-H Achievement Banquet to 4-Hers who have performed services for the benefit of the public. One award per age category may be given each year. Community service is defined as “providing assistance that benefits someone outside of the 4-H family.” Applications must be completed and returned to the extension office by June 20, 2025. A 4-Hers may receive the award only on time in each category. No interview is required. Applications will be judged by a panel of judges.
SENIOR AWARDS -
ROOKIE AWARD: (Record Book required & Fundraiser Participation required)
To recognize outstanding first and second year 4-H members. 4-H members may receive this award only one time. Applicants may be of any age. The 4-H member must meet the requirements of and turn in a Rookie
Application. All candidates will be required to provide an interview as part of the selection process. Rookie Award winners will receive a green clover recognition pin presented at the Kaufman County 4-H Awards Night.
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD:
4-H members in grades 9-12 may apply for this award. A 4-H member may receive this award only one time. Members must submit a typed essay of 1,200 words maximum, double spaced in a font no smaller than 12 explaining their community service campaign. There is no record book requirement for this award. Essays will be judged by county officials directly connected with 4-H that do not have children involved in 4-H. The Outstanding Community Service Award winner will receive a plaque. Applications are due at the same time as 4-H Award Applications.
LETTERMAN AWARD: (Record Book required & Fundraiser Participation required)
4-H members in grades 9-12 are eligible for this award and may receive the Jacket award only one time. BUT 4-H members may receive the Clover Letter or service bar pin each year they qualify. The first year qualified they will receive the Clover letter and future years they will receive the service bar pin. Requirements may be completed in one year or over a period of several years. Members may count requirements completed after grade 9. A 4-H Letterman Award Application must be turned in. All candidates will be required to participate in an interview as part of the selection process. The top 2 (two) Letterman Award winners will receive a jacket presented at the Kaufman County 4-H Awards Night.
SENIOR AWARD: (Record Book required & Fundraiser Participation required)
Graduating seniors for the 2025 year, who are members of 4-H, may apply to receive a Senior Award, to be presented at the Kaufman County 4-H Awards Night. Seniors who missed their junior year to apply may go ahead and apply for this award if they have not received it before. Seniors must have been active and meet the requirements listed on the application. 4-H members may receive this award only one time.
NATIONAL DANFORTH “I DARE YOU” AWARD: (record book required)
To award 4-H members in 9th grade or older for outstanding character. 4-H members may receive this award only one time. The requirements are the same as for the Gold Star Award and winners will receive an “I Dare You” book and certificate. The 4-H member must submit an awards program record book in the year he or she is to be considered for the award. All candidates will be required to participate in an in-person interview as part of the selection process. The number of Danforth Awards to be awarded will be determined by the Awards and Recognition Judges.
GOLD STAR: (record book required)
To recognize senior 4-H members for outstanding achievement. The Gold Star Award is the highest achievement award at the county level. Counties have award quotas based on the number of senior 4-H members. The award will be presented to the most deserving young people without regard to sex.
Qualifications:
- The member must be at least 15 years of age as of September 1st of the current year and must have completed at least three years in 4-H including the current
- The 4-H member must submit a high quality record book in the year he/she is to be considered for the
- The 4-H member must have completed projects in three different project areas including submission of appropriate record forms and have participated in at least three of the following areas: method demonstrations/4-H presentation; contests; projects; project exhibits; camps; Leadership Lab; citizenship activities; public relations (demonstrations, radio, V., speeches, poster displays, newspapers, etc.); other (includes Exchange Program; fund raisers, State and National Congress).
NOTE: It is not expected that the above requirements for projects and activities all be completed in the current year. They may have been accomplished over the entire period of time the 4-H’er has been in the program. During his or her years in 4-H, the member must have exhibited leadership skills, be serving as a 4-H officer or committee chairman (club, county, district or state); and/or as a junior or teen leader in an activity or project with or under the supervision of an adult volunteer leader. The 4-H member must have participated in one or more community service activities.
- In addition to the record book, the 4-H member must submit an application signed by his or her current club manager and participate in an interview. All candidates will be required to participate in an in-person interview as part of the selection process.
- The 4-H member(s) receiving the Gold Star Award will receive a certificate and pin at the District Gold Star luncheon. Applicants will need to choose an award option for Kaufman County 4-H Awards
NOTE: The number of Gold Star awards to be awarded in any one year are limited and determined by the State 4-H Program and that information are sent to the 4-H Program Coordinator.
ADULT LEADER AWARDS
NOTE: County Extension Agents cannot be selected for the Outstanding Leader Award and Friend of 4-H Award.
Each year the Kaufman County 4-H Council recognizes leaders, parents and people that have helped through assistance or support to the 4-H Program. Here is the opportunity for you to nominate a leader, parent, local businessman, or volunteer for one of the areas. Below is listed the four awards that the 4-H Council presents.
MOST SUPPORTIVE PARENT
is presented to the parent that have given their time and support to the County 4-H Council.
LEADER ON THE TOWN
is presented to a leader that have provided help and assistance to their individual clubs.
OUTSTANDING LEADER AWARDS:
Two individuals will be selected and recognized at the Annual 4-H Night for “Distinguished Service.” One will be chosen by the MAB and one chosen by 4-H members. 4-H volunteer leaders who are chosen for this award include outstanding club managers, leaders, project leaders, workshop leaders and volunteer leaders who go above and beyond their leader capabilities. The Outstanding Leader Award chosen from the 4-H member requires an essay no longer than 1 page. The ESSAYS ARE DUE June 20, 2025! The essay should include the following:
1. Name of Person Making Nomination Leader Nominated Date
2.Why do you think this leader is an outstanding leader?
3.What does this leader do that is outstanding? Examples: Teaches others new projects, takes 4-Her’s on tours, leads club, etc.
4.How has this leader helped you? How has this leader helped others?
FRIEND OF 4-H AWARD:
This award goes to an individual or business that has greatly supported the Kaufman County 4-H program. The recipient is selected by the Membership Advisory Board and the award is presented at the County 4-H Awards Night. Recipients chosen for this award are outstanding volunteers who do not have 4-H members participating in the 4-H program in the current year.
