Among the Spirit of 4-H awards which were presented Tuesday night went to Christina Gardner, (from left) Jessica Swihart, Stacy Kotula and Sibly Saunders.

Numerous 4-H members were recognized Tuesday night at the annual 4-H Spirit Night, formerly 4-H
Achievement Night, held at the Junior Fair Building at the Wood County Fairgrounds.
Outstanding leadership
The Outstanding Leadership Award is a plaque presented by the Wood County 4-H Committee. Joyce Grolle and
Stacy Kotula were awarded the honor.
The two special award winners were both 4-H Camp and Horse Camp Counselors; Junior Fair Board members;
Junior Fair Superintendents; and what the committee recognized as "quality role models for younger
members." They are also both residents of rural Perrysburg.
Grolle is a member of the Silver Spurs 4-H Club, where she has served as a leader, not only in the club
but for the entire Wood County 4-H horse program for the past six years.
"No one can challenge her commitment to being one of the top youth horse exhibitors in the county
and region," her introduction stated. Due to a horse competition, she was unable to attend on
Tuesday.
Grolle, who is attending Findlay University in the equine science program, has also been heavily involved
on the Horse Bowl Team.
The award recognized her ability to look beyond the numerous awards she has achieved as she focused on
the relationships made and service she provided for others.
Kotula is a member of the Dowling Stitch, Stir and Stock 4-H Club.
Her introduction recognized her as a leader who has honed her leadership skills "through practice
and dedication".
Her talents have helped her lead Junior Fair Board members and counseling more than 200 campers, as well
as working with adults on the 4-H Committee to name just a few of the many groups with which she has
been associated.
Her intro credited her with teaching community service by example. Kotula has also made and donated
dozens of quilts and lap throws to numerous groups
"For years Wood County 4-H has benefited immensely from her unselfish dedication," she was
introduced.
Kotula is currently attending Miami University studying architecture.

Spirit of 4-H awards were presented Tuesday night to (standing from left) Krysti Dubler, Laura Rochester, Shelby Vaughn and Jessica Swihart; and (seated, from left) Emily Curtis, McKenzie Wilhelm and Meghan Moser.

Career achievement
Kacey Podolak and Carrie Moenter were recognized with the "Career Achievement Award," which was
created 15 years ago to recognize 4-H members who excel in project areas as well as in leadership
positions.
"This honorable duo has done just that," the introduction noted. "Each has achieved high
standards in their 4-H career."
Podolak, a member of the Tontogany Hotwires 4-H Club, is a state champion in livestock judging, having
placed at the Ohio State Fair. She has also competed at the National 4-H Livestock Judging event; served
on the Junior Fair Board, coordinating many fundraisers and meetings of the 50-member board. The Bowling
Green resident has served as a 4-H Camp Counselors fort three years, and was said to have created
"exciting new events and games for kids."
Moenter, a member of the Portage Valley 4-H Club, has distinguished herself throughout her11-year 4-H
career.
"She has excelled in 4-H project work, as well as leadership activities, yet has had time for much
school academic involvement and sports," her introduction stated noting her ability to juggle her
numerous activities.
The Pemberville resident has exhibited sheep at the Wood County Fair for years and has logged many miles
to the Ohio State Fair. She was the president of the Junior Fair Board in 2009 and superintendent of the
Sheep Department. She has also served on the 4-H Leadership Board for five years.
She is currently a freshman at Capital University, looking at a career in education.
Kroger awards
This year’s Kroger Award winner for nutrition is Christina Gardner of the 4-Leaf Clover Kids 4-H Club.

The BG resident has been cooking up winning projects since 2002. In her first year, she received first
place in I Spy in the Kitchen category. She followed year after year by taking numerous nutrition
projects including Mini Meal Magic, Food, Fitness & Fun, Fast Break For Breakfast, and Let’s
Bake Quick Breads to mention a few. Her winning county projects took her to the
Ohio State Fair four times.
Her consistency in nutrition projects demonstrates dedication and is paving the path for career
achievement in the future.
The 2009 Kroger Award for clothing was presented to Jessica Swihart, a member of the Portage Valley 4-H
Club.
The Perrysburg resident was dedicated to clothing projects for nine years. She has completed 11 clothing
projects starting with a first place win Fun With Clothes in 2001. That was her first of three trips to
the state fair to compete in the 4-H Fashion Revue.
That first win also began a string of placing every year with her projects. She has also been very active
in county activities including Leadership Board, Junior Fair Board and Camp Counseling.
Horse awards
The 4-H Horse Good Sportsmanship Award was presented to Sibly Saunders from the Rough Riders 4-H Club.

The Horse Championship Award honored with an embroidered jacket was presented to Kavanaugh Phelps, of the
Horses R Us i4-H Club. She won two championships at the Ohio State Fair; one in Western Pony Pleasure
and the second in Western Pony Horsemanship.
The 4-H Horse Advisor’s $250 Scholarships were presented to Katie Davis, Rough Riders; Grolle; Chelsea
Hosmer, Sunset Saddlers; and Abby Wagner, Saddles and Surreys.
Spirit of Leadership Awards
These awards are given to outstanding 4-H members who have shown excellent leadership skills at 4-H Camp,
Leadership Board, the Wood County Fair, and of course many other Wood County 4-H events.
These 12 Wood County teen leaders have spent their 4-H career helping others, many times behind the
scenes. They are most deserving of this special honor.
The awards went to McKenzie Wilhelm, Leaders of Tomorrow; Stuart Foos, Blue Ribbon Rangers; Emily Curtis,
Country Guys and Gals; Kaye Bockbrader, Farmcrafters; Anna Christoff, Colorful Clovers; Laura Rochester,
Colorful Clovers; J.R. Laborie, Perry Go-Getters; Shelby Vaughn, Soaring Eagles; Claire Sutton, Rough
Riders; Jessica Swihart, Portage Valley; Krysti Dubler, Colorful Clovers; and Meghan Moser, Wood N
Horses.