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Sydney Moore wins 2023 Spirit of 4-H Award
Putnam County 4-H families joined together Sunday afternoon at the Putnam County Fairgrounds to recognize volunteers and acknowledge the achievement and accomplishments of 4-H members.
The highest award in the Putnam 4-H program is the Spirit of 4-H Award which is sponsored by Bittles and Hurt and Hopkins-Rector funeral homes.
The 2023 winner is Sydney Moore who was presented with a framed certificate and a cash award by Jay Prewitt representing the sponsors.
“We are proud to annually sponsor this top 4-H award honoring an outstanding Putnam 4-H career,” Prewitt said. “The Spirit of 4-H award has been awarded since 1991.”
Typically, there is one winner for this prestigious award. There has been twice in the history of the award that no award was given and there have been two occurrences of awarding two awards in the same year.
Sydney, the daughter of David and Angela Moore, is a 2023 North Putnam High School graduate. She is currently seeking her post high school education with Murray State University, where her degree objective is agriculture education.
When asked who had the most significant influence for her 4-H accomplishments, Moore said “my Horse & Pony volunteers (Tiffany/Trent Boswell and Colt/Ashley Underwood) and my Junior Leader advisers (Kim Beadles/Mark Evans), who gave me experiences that enabled me to share knowledge and positive experiences with others.”
Sydney also cited her most significant accomplishments in the 4-H program overall.
“Winning versatility (in Horse & Pony project at fair) and being selected to represent my species in the Supreme Showmanship contest were my most satisfying accomplishments,”she said.
As both Sydney’s mother and her Greencastle Stars 4-H Club leader, Angela Moore commented on her daughter’s growth through 4-H.
“It has been a blessing to watch Sydney, as her parent and a 4-H leader, develop into a confident young leader because of the 4-H program,” Angela said. “The 4-H program took a determined and passionate girl and helped her grow into a confident leader who loves to share her knowledge to develop confidence and leadership skills in younger 4-Hers.”
Putnam County 4-H Youth Educator Mark Evans also shared his thoughts on the award winner.
“Sydney will certainly be missed as she quietly took care of business and served the local program helping others and making the best better,” Evans said. “She also had a strong, but quiet enthusiasm and encouragement for others. She has a compassion of helping others in wanting to see younger members succeed.”
Other awards during the afternoon program included Katherine Tharp, honored as Outstanding First Year 4-Her for being the most active in her first year. Outstanding First Year Junior Leader accolades went to Aden Beasley, and the Top-Notch Junior Leader recipient was Aiden Beadles. The awards are based annually on the “My Record of Achievement” forms submitted in early September by the 4-H’ers.
Extension Staff and 4-H Council Members review forms to determine the award winners.