Every thriving community has a heartbeat—driven by people who show up, step out of their comfort zones, and quietly work behind the scenes to make the world around them a better place. In 4-H, we talk a lot about the four H’s: Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. But these aren’t just words we pledge at the start of a meeting. They are actionable values that change lives.
When a 4-H member or volunteer dedicates themselves to these principles, the impact doesn’t stop at the club level. It ripples out. It inspires peers to be the best they can be and prepares the next generation of Hillsborough County leaders.
Narrowing down this year’s nominees was an incredibly difficult task, but we are thrilled to introduce you to the standout individuals and partners who are truly making the best better in our county.
Youth Awards
The Head to Clearer Thinking Award
The 4-H Head Award is awarded to a member who was organized and goal-oriented and employed critical thinking and problem-solving skills to make wise decisions for the club.
Jacqueline Gundlach nominated Aziza for the Head to Clearer Thinking Award. In her nomination, she stated, “I select Aziza for her ability to think clearly when working on her projects.” She also shared that Aziza has set goals for her future.
Leslie Mooneyham added, “Whether working with youth or adults on projects, Aziza brings kindness, positivity, and dedication to everything she does. Her willingness to serve and genuine compassion make a lasting impact on the people around her. I am proud and blessed to have worked with Aziza in several different situations and know she will continue to make a difference in everything she does.”
These are just a few examples of the many ways that Aziza has used her head to make the best better for 4-H.
The Heart for Greater Loyalty Award
The Heart Award recognizes a 4-H member who demonstrated compassion and concern for others and developed nurturing relationships through good communication, social skills, and conflict-resolution skills.
Joy Miller shared, “Carleigh isn’t the loudest leader in the room. She’s the quiet, mature member who thinks before she talks, asks hard questions, and always surprises me with her insights and ideas. This year, she stepped out of her comfort zone by taking a class and completing a project on blacksmithing and another on performing arts. Sound like opposites? They are! I would never picture Carleigh doing either, to be honest, but she truly excelled at both and learned so much more. Going out of her comfort zone has made her a better leader and 4-H member. I think she could really fit in “hands” or “head” since she has really grown in all, but I see her heart for others, for trying new things, and being passionate about learning.”
These are just a few examples of the many ways Carleigh has used her heart to demonstrate greater loyalty and make the best better for 4-H.
Health to Better Living Award
The 4-H Health Award is for a member who took personal responsibility in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including good nutrition, fitness activities, and safety measures, and encouraged others to do the same.
An anonymous submission described Madison as highly deserving of the 4-H Health Award for her perseverance, resilience, and commitment to healthy living. “Madison has remained determined and focused on strengthening herself physically and emotionally while continuing to work hard toward her Archery and dog project goals. She has demonstrated outstanding leadership as a member of the Food Challenge Team, where she promoted healthy food choices and served as the Food Safety Presenter at the State Competition. Madison continues to build healthy habits through nutrition and exercise while also developing a strong understanding of emotional well-being and stress management. Her ability to overcome challenges with confidence and make positive decisions reflects the true meaning of pledging her health for better living. Madison serves as an inspiring example to her peers through her dedication, positive attitude, and commitment to personal growth and wellness.”
These are just a few examples of the many ways Madison exemplifies Health to Better Living and makes the best better for 4-H.
The 4-H Hands Award
The 4-H Hands Award is for a member who was always helpful and willing to do things without hesitating. He or she focused on community service, citizenship, and teamwork.
Irene was nominated as “an outstanding candidate for the 4-H Hands Award because she truly exemplifies the 4-H pledge of “Hands for Larger Service.” Irene consistently demonstrates a servant’s heart through her willingness to help wherever needed, always with a smile and a positive attitude. She faithfully volunteers during club activities, including setting up and taking down the shooting range, and is always one of the first to help. Irene also volunteered at the Strawberry U-Pick, helping to gather strawberries for local food banks, and her hard work contributed to our club earning 2nd place for the number of berries picked. During the County Fair livestock show, she could often be found cleaning public spaces to help keep the grounds welcoming and organized for everyone. In addition, Irene dedicated countless hours to assisting with the plant sale that supports youth conservation projects. Her consistent willingness to serve others, strong work ethic, and eagerness to ask, “What can I do to help?” made her the very first person who came to mind for the 4-H Hands Award.”
These are just a few examples of how she uses her hands for better service and makes the best better for 4-H.
Rookie of the Year
It gives me great pleasure to announce our “4-H Rookie of the Year” who is an individual who, in a remarkably short time, has demonstrated extraordinary dedication, innovation, and leadership!
From day one, this leader has approached their role with incredible energy and vision. Brittany is the ultimate team player; she is truly willing to help with any task, big or small. What makes her stand out as a “rookie” is her incredible appetite for growth. She constantly strives to learn more about the depth and traditions of 4-H, absorbing information quickly and turning it into action for her club. Brittany has a unique ability to connect with youth and volunteers alike, creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. Her leadership is defined by how she empowers her club, rallying her members with a contagious enthusiasm that makes everyone want to do their best.
Please join me in congratulating our “4-H Rookie of the Year,” Brittany Grogan!
Leader of the Year
It’s my honor to present the “Leader of the Year” award to an exceptional individual who consistently champions youth across Hillsborough County.
In Kailee Roach’s nomination, she shared, “Joy is a volunteer who truly stands out for her dedication to the youth in our 4-H program. As a leader of the dairy goat project, Joy goes above and beyond to help members develop not only their livestock skills but also valuable life skills that will benefit them far beyond 4-H. Joy demonstrates Head by sharing her extensive knowledge of dairy goat management, animal health, nutrition, showmanship, and record keeping. She encourages members to think critically, solve problems, and make informed decisions regarding the care of their animals. She is always willing to answer questions and teach youth the reasons behind best management practices, helping them become more confident and knowledgeable project members. Through Heart, Joy shows genuine care and commitment to every member. She is patient, encouraging, and supportive, taking the time to help youth of all experience levels feel welcomed and successful. Whether she is mentoring a first-year member or helping an experienced exhibitor prepare for a show, Joy consistently demonstrates kindness, loyalty, and a sincere interest in helping each young person reach their goals. Joy exemplifies Hands through her countless hours of volunteer service. She willingly gives her time to organize project meetings, provide hands-on demonstrations, assist members with their animals, and support events throughout the year. Her dedication ensures that youth have opportunities to learn, grow, and gain meaningful experiences within the dairy goat project. Through Health, Joy promotes responsible animal care, safety, and personal well-being. She teaches members the importance of proper animal handling, biosecurity, and the maintenance of healthy livestock, while also encouraging responsibility, perseverance, and a positive attitude. She helps youth understand that success comes from consistent effort, preparation, and caring for both themselves and their animals. By balancing the Head, Heart, Hands, and Health components of the 4-H pledge, Joy creates a well-rounded and enriching experience for all youth involved in the dairy goat project. Her leadership, knowledge, and commitment inspire members to become skilled livestock exhibitors, responsible leaders, and caring individuals. The positive impact she has on our club and the youth she mentors is truly remarkable.”
Please congratulate our Leader of the Year, Joy Miller!
Friend of 4-H
We have the honor of recognizing an outstanding organization with the ‘Friend of 4-H Award.’ This award celebrates those who have made significant contributions to our 4-H program.
It’s an honor to present the “Friends of 4-H” award to an outstanding partner: The Tampa Bay GIS Users Group.
This group consists of GIS professionals, users, and students who wish to engage, share, build relationships, and collaborate with others in the same profession. They host networking and social events, collaborate on professional development events, and engage in volunteer service projects, including promoting the profession to future GIS professionals.
This group provided a career day for our youth and gave us a window into a career in genomics.
Their commitment makes a real difference in the lives of our 4-H members.
Please join me in recognizing the Tampa Bay GIS Users Group with the “Friends of 4-H” award!
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