Youth 4-H Awards and Recognition
Youth and adults who show excellent leadership and involvement in 4-H may be eligible for county-wide awards. Below are the types of awards given at the annual Achievement Celebration. All nominations are due before September 1 of each year. If no nominations are given, county staff will make the selection. For more information on each award and for a nomination form, please click the name of the award – note, many of these do not have paper applications yet. Please reach out to the office if you need one. Or submit nominations and applications using the google form below.
To nominate or apply for any of the following awards, please submit this application by June 1 for youth awards and Oct 1 for adult awards: https://forms.gle/jighHPYHGyzbqFYe9
Outstanding Cloverbud Award: NEW FOR 2024! Annually recognizing up to two 4-H Cloverbud members in grades K-2 who exhibit strong personal, club and county 4-H commitment. All nominees will be recognized in some way, with the top two youth receiving outstanding cloverbud recognition. Click the link for the application and rubric.
Kramer Memorial Garden Box Award: Given to one Junior and one Senior entry at the La Crosse Interstate Fair in Dept. 14 Plant & Soil Science, Class G, Items 1 & 2. Cash award of $5 will be given at the annual Achievement Celebration. Please notify the 4-H Office if you have exhibited this at the fair. Click here for a list of previous Kramer Box Award Recipients.
I Dare You Award: The “I Dare You” Leadership Award selection is based on recognition of excellence in character and well-balanced personal development as well as leadership potential. They each receive a copy of William H. Danforth’s book “I Dare You” and a personalized certificate. In the book, Mr. Danforth challenges the reader to aspire to their highest potential to obtain constructive lives of service and citizenship and to be committed to excellence. This is awarded to one 4-H member annually in 9th or 10th grade. A youth can only receive this award once, click here to review the list of previous I Dare You Award Recipients.
Servais Communication Award: Adam Servais graduated from La Crosse County 4-H and was a 12-year member of the Onalaska Merrymakers 4-H club. Adam was active in speaking and demonstrations, mechanical sciences, gardening and photography during his 4-H career. He was also an active youth leader, taught classes at Clover College, attended Citizenship Washington Focus and received the State 4-H Key Award. In August of 2006 Adam Servais, Senior Airman, was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan. His family credited 4-H with helping to shape Adam as a fine young man active in his community. For that reason, his family made a contribution to the 4-H program in Adam’s memory. Because of Adam’s active involvement in the Speaking and Demonstration activities, La Crosse County 4-H honors Adam’s memory with the Servais Memorial Communication Award given to one youth annually who exhibits strong communication and demonstration skills. A youth can received this award only once, click here to review the list of previous Servais Award Recipients.
Key Award: The Wisconsin 4-H Key Award is given in recognition of outstanding 4-H club work and is the highest award given in La Crosse County 4-H. This award is received by only the top 5% of older 4-H members in the State and is based on consistent growth shown by members in their 4-H work, their demonstration of leadership qualities and contributions made to the 4-H club and community. La Crosse recognizes 3 youth annually in 10th-13th grades. A youth can receive this award only once, click here to review the list of previous Key Award Recipients.
Legislative Award: Awarded to up to 2 youth who have completed multiple 4-H travel experiences including Citizen Washington Focus. Chosen by Representative Steve Doyle based on ME form applications from CWF or National Congress (citizenship activities). Chosen winners must have also turned in a Record Book with the Youth Leadership and/or Citizenship projects filled out. These youth are hand selected by the County program.
Honor Leader: Awarded to up to 2 adult volunteers who completed the certification process, and given several years of service to their club, project, county 4-H and overall community. These leaders only receive the award once in their lifetime. Visit here for a historic list of La Crosse County 4-H Honor Leaders.
Friend of 4-H: Awarded up to two community members, 4-H members outside of La Crosse or businesses that have provided resources for our 4-H program in the various ways, but not limited to: financial, time, educational, facilities, or promotional support. Usually, a Friend of 4-H is only awarded this once. Visit here for a historic list of La Crosse County Friends of 4-H.
