4-H'ers, parents, volunteers, and guests attended the recent Annual 4-H Achievement Night Program at the Agricultural Center in Carthage. The 4-H Achievement and Recognition Program is held to recognize youth for 4-H projects and activities they complete throughout the year.

Alex Turlington, 4-H Youth Council member, called the program to order. Darren Lefler, president, 4-H Youth Council, gave the invocation. After a spaghetti dinner, Sara Nichols of the Country Living 4-H Club, led the Pledge of Allegiance and Charlotte Gore, 4-H Stitchers club, led the group in the 4-H Pledge.

Craven Hudson, county extension director, brought greetings and recognized special guests that included Charles Hammond, retired county extension director, members of Moore County Extension and Community Associates, Moore County Master Gardeners and Moore County Beekeepers Association.

Medley Davis of the Four Leaf Legends 4-H Club gave a brief history of North Carolina 4-H. Starting in 1909, Ira O. Schaub became the first director of North Carolina corn clubs, which later became 4-H Clubs. In 1939, all 100 counties in North Carolina had established 4-H programs with a membership of over 25,000. Today, nearly 240,000 youth are enrolled in 4-H with 23,000 volunteers, 2,000 4-H clubs that focus on three curriculum areas: science and technology, healthy lifestyles education and environmental science education.

Leslie Carson, 4-H volunteer leader, presented a 4-H slide show that included club and program highlights from 2008. The slide show was representative of all 4-H clubs in Moore County and displayed county, district and state events.

The highlight of the program was the presentation of awards. Linda Gore, 4-H agent, presented the awards along with Craven Hudson, and 4-H volunteer leaders presented county 4-H project book winners in the following categories:

Ages 9-10 -- Animal Science: 1. Alexander Parrish-Beaver and Kate Lahr; 2. Maggie Talley and 3. Tristyn Murphy and Amanda Gootman; Food and Nutrition: Madison Prevatte; Community Service: Madison Prevatte; and Geology: Ryan Baer.

Ages 11-12 -- Animal Science: 1. Julia Husk; 2. Austin Cameron; 3. Brandi Clark, Lindsey Allen, Elizabeth Gootman and Renee Beaulieu; Food and Nutrition: Renee Beaulieu; Gardening: Michaela McInnis; Community Service: Renee Beaulieu (third)

Ages 13-15 -- Animal Science: Amie Howie and Sara Nichols, 2. Taylor Melanson, 3. Nina Rhoades and Ashlyn Fish; Citizenship: Mitchell Prevate.

Cloverbuds (5-8 year olds) receiving certificates were: Cassidy Watson, Kate Beaulieu, Patrick Byers, Alex Lennon, Andrew Lennon, Hallie Mejan, Ethan Mitchum, John Weathersby, Rebecca Carson, Kodi Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Kayla Maier, Brian Pies, Jr., Daniel Pies, Lauren Voss, Matty Voss and Amberly Walsak.

Awards were also presented to 4-H'ers who participated in 4-H programs at 4-H Congress held in Raleigh. They were: Brandon Harrell, public speaking; Evelyn Monroe, outdoor cooking; Alexandra Parrish-Beaver, junior horse presentation; Amie Howie, senior horse presentation, and Anjel Seawell, senior horse presentation.

Teen Leadership awards were presented to: Darren Lefler, Andianna Davis, Lark Williams, Mitchell Prevatte, Sara Nichols, Lucas Hayden, Daniel Purvis, Haley Purvis, Virginia Priest, Charlotte Gore, Eden Woolard, Evelyn Monroe, Nick Clegg and Alex Turlington.

Advisory Council member and 4-H club leader, Gail Prevatte, recognized 4-H volunteers for their outstanding service to the 4-H program and for their many hours of service to youth. Certificates of Appreciation were presented to: Leslie Carson, Kathy Johnson, Kay Simpson, Maria Mitchum, Cherisa Massarelli, Samantha Duclos, Karen Cole, Doris Dunn, Vivian McInnis, Michael McInnis, Ralph Gore, Rebecca Fletcher, Beverly Wray, Angela Monroe, Beth Younger and Chuck Younger.

The following clubs organized in 2008 received club charters: FirstHealth Rockers, C.H.E.S., Growing Farmers and Moore Saddle Times 4-H Clubs.

"You and your family can take part in 4-H by joining one of the clubs located throughout the county or forming a new club in your community," says Gore. "4-H clubs are young people having fun with friends and family and learning new skills."

For more information, contact Gore at 947-3188.