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Jacob Beadles wins 2022 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 & Hurt and Hopkins-Rector funeral homes. The 2022 winner is Jacob Beadles, 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 given since 1991.
Typically there is one winner for the award. However, there has been twice in its history that no award was given, and there have been two occurrences of giving two awards in the same year.
Jacob, the son of Chad and Kim Beadles, is a 2022 South Putnam High School graduate. He is currently seeking his post-high school education at Purdue University via the Pathway to Purdue program, where his degree objective currently is leaning toward animal science, though he has not completely decided.
Beadles cited his family involvement as what has had the most significant influence for his accomplishments.
“Whether it was showing in the arena with my brother, Aiden, or late night in the sheep barn with my parents and grandma, I would not have had the experience I did without their help,” Beadles said.
“I also carried the tradition and legacy started by my great-grandparents, William and Helen Hurst,” he added. “They started the wheel rolling and I have been so proud to keep their memory alive.”
In terms of his experience with 4-H, Beadles said it is much more than a program, but rather a life experience of learning.
“4-H has been such an important part of Jacob’s life, and this is such an honor as he ends his 10-year career,” parents Chad and Kim agreed.
“Jacob is a delightful young man who was eager and ready to help any young 4-H’er, whether giving advice on a project, giving a demo about something pertaining to 4-H or helping them with our activity of the night,” Mona Smith, Beadles’ 4-H Lucky Clovers club leader, said. “This is an honor well earned throughout his 4-H career.”
“Jake will certainly be missed, as he added joy to any location with his enthusiasm and warmth of encouragement,” 4-H Youth Educator Mark Evans said. “He has a compassion of helping others in wanting to see younger members succeed, which really came out in his sheep project area.”
Cora Beasley was also recognized during the program as the Outstanding First Year 4-H’er of 2022, being honored as the most active in her first year.
Two Junior Leader awards were also presented, as Outstanding First Year Junior Leader accolades went to Adelynn Moore and the Top-Notch Junior Leader recipient was Kelsey Moore.
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 the forms to determine the winners.