Crawford County 4-H Honors members with the Wisconsin 4-H Key Award
2023 4-H Key Award recipients Rita Achenbach, Eastman, and Rylie Cook, Seneca, show off their awards. (Submitted photo)
Rita Achenbach, daughter of Lonnie and Jane Achenbach, Eastman, and Rylie Cook, daughter of Marty and Jenny Cook, Seneca, received the Wisconsin 4-H Key Award for Crawford County 4-H.
The Key Award, the highest honor a 4-H member can receive, recognizes a select group of 4-H participants who have demonstrated consistent growth in their 4-H involvement, developed and applied their leadership skills, and actively participated in the functions of their club and their community each year. The award is sponsored by Wisconsin Farm Bureau.
Rita Achenbach has been an active member of the Eastman Cloverleaf 4-H Club since kindergarten. Going into her thirteenth year in 4-H, she has served in many officer roles, including historian, treasurer, secretary, reporter and recreation leader. She has participated in Music Fest, Speaking Contest, Drama Festival, shooting sports, livestock judging, 4-H camp and Project Discovery Days and more.
Rita’s main 4-H projects over the years have been beef, swine, sheep, poultry, dogs, rabbits, and goats. She has been successful in her animal projects earning numerous champion honors and showmanship honors.
Rita’s favorite 4-H experience was the American Spirit Trip where she was able to learn about and see lots of American history.
In the future, Rita hopes to use her knowledge and passion for animals as a veterinarian.
Rylie Cook has been a member of the Happy Hi-Liters 4-H Club since 2018 and served her club as reporter and secretary. She has been very active in the sewing and dog projects. Through the sewing project she made five quilts for the Quilts of Valor. Rylie was part of the Crawford County 4-H Dog Quiz Bowl team and competed at the state contest, bringing home honors in the top four for quiz bowl teams. She has earned the honors of Best in Department at the Crawford County Fair in Photography, Quilts and Clothing.
Rylie has enjoyed helping with community service projects, traveling on 4-H experiences and helping at 4-H Day Camps, afterschool programs and overnight camps.
Rylie is planning on using her experience working with and mentoring younger youth in a future career working with younger youth.
To learn more about 4-H, contact the Crawford County UW-Extension office at 608-326-0224.
Submitted to the Courier Press by the Crawford County 4-H.
