Sarasota 4-H Recognizes Youth Achievements

Sarasota 4-H End of Year Ceremony

On June 5, we held our 4-H Awards Ceremony, recognizing youth achievements. At this ceremony, 4-H members from around the county came to receive their record book ribbons and medals for their outstanding accomplishments this year!

UF/IFAS Sarasota County Extension Director, Lee Hayes Byron, did us the honor of making a short speech about the 2025-26 year.

“Welcome to our 4-H Superstars and their incredible family and volunteers! I am Lee Hayes Byron, and am proud to be your County Extension Director here at UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability. I just love learning about and celebrating your accomplishments! Every time I talk to a 4-Her I learn something new and am so impressed by all you do throughout the year.

You each have followed your interests this year to complete projects that many adults don’t know how to do. You grew plants, raised animals, and did arts, crafts, and science projects. You learned about tracking costs and revenues and animal care and how to tell the story of what you did and what you learned. You developed demonstrations that showcased your in-depth knowledge on a topic. You took leadership roles in your clubs, supported each other, and attended new events and met new people.

All of these things were hopefully a lot of fun and interesting, but they also taught you important skills that will be really important when you apply for jobs throughout your career. When I am interviewing applicants for jobs here at Extension, I look for confidence and communication skills that you learn through demonstrations and showmanship. I look for ability to work in teams and collaborate with others, which you learn through your club. I look for creativity and willingness to try new things that you show every year when you say yes to a new project or 4-H event. And mostly, I look for signs that someone is a hard worker. And, there is no question that 4-H’ers are hard workers.

Colleges and employers will see 4-H on your resume and know that you are going to bring commitment, skills, and teamwork to make a difference in the world. I know you already are making a difference and am so proud of you. A moment of thanks to your families and volunteer leaders without whom your experience would not be possible. Thank you for everything you do to support these amazing kids! I hope you all enjoy tonight and I look forward to seeing what you accomplish next year! Thank you!”

Awards given:

SOE = Standards of Excellence

UF/IFAS table covered in awards to be given to youth. — UF/IFAS table displays the awards to be distributed.

Alexis H. (Dogs, Plants) – Blue Award, Gold SOE
Amaryllis H. (Dogs, Plants, Visual Arts) – Blue Award, Emerald SOE
Amelia H. (Plants, Swine) – Blue Award, Gold SOE
Amelkemet M. (Plants) – Red Award, Bronze SOE
Andromeda R. (Dogs, Plants, Visual Arts) – Blue Award, Gold SOE
Ashtyn L. (Plants) – Red Award
Ava O. (Performing Arts, Poultry, Cavy) – Red Award, Bronze SOE
Brenda G. (Performing Arts) – Red Award
Caleb H. (Plants, Swine) – Blue Award, Silver SOE
Cooper D. (Steer) – Red Award
Delvin E. (Plants) – Red Award
Elijah I. (STEM, Plants) – Red Award, Bronze SOE
Elisheva I. (STEM, Plants, FCS) – Red Award, Bronze SOE
Gabriella Y. (Dairy, Dogs, Photography, Plants, Poultry, Rabbits, Visual Arts) – Blue Award, mmEmerald SOE
Hazel H. (Swine) – Blue Award, Silver SOE
Ian J. (STEM, Plants) – Blue Award, Silver SOE
Jason H. (Beef, Goats, Plants, Poultry, Swine) – Blue Award, Emerald SOE
Jeremiah P. (Plants) – Red Award

4-H banner and welcome sign decorates the award space. — Decorations adorn the meeting space, celebrating 4-H!

Kaleen C. (Cavies, Dairy, Performing Arts, Plants, Poultry, Swine, Visual Arts) – Blue Award, mmSilver SOE
Kristiana Y. (Dairy, Dogs, Photography, Plants, Rabbit, Visual Arts, Healthy Living) – Blue mmAward, Gold SOE
Liam P. (Dogs, Plants, Photography, Woodworking) – Blue Award, Gold SOE
London M. (Plants, Poultry, Rabbit, Swine) – Red Award
Lubens P. (Plants) – Blue Award, Bronze SOE
Madison K. (Dairy, Dogs, Plants, Visual Arts, Photography) – Blue Award, Emerald SOE
Mia J. (Horse) – White Award
Michael Y. (Dairy, Dogs, Photography, Plants, Visual Arts, Healthy Living) – Blue Award, Gold mmSOE
Naiya R. (Dogs) – Red Award
NaJee R. (Dogs) – Red Award
Rebecca L. (Horse) – White Award
Riley M. (Beef, Plants, Poultry, Swine) – Red Award
Ryleigh B. (Swine) – Blue Award
Sophia S. (Dairy, Plants, Swine) – Blue Award, Silver SOE
Zaccheus W. (Plants) – Red Award, Bronze SOE

Hall of Famer

Continuing on, we also had the very special job of honoring our volunteers. You all go above and beyond to support these kids and our programming and we could not be more thankful for your help every single step of the way.

Additionally, Barbara Briggs received an even more prestigious recognition this year! We have our very own Hall of Famer! That’s right, the Honorable Barbara Briggs will be inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame on July 31, 2025. Barbara has fiercely served the 4-H Sarasota community for more than 35 years. This recognition has been a long time coming and we could not be more happy and proud!

Congratulations to 4-H County Events Participants!

Youth stands with tractor project. — Youth stands proudly with his tractor science project.

Abigail B. (Science and Technology) – Blue Award
Abigail B. (Small Animals and Pets) – Red Award
Alexis H. (Small Animals and Pets) – Red Award
Amaryllis H. (Citizenship and Leadership) – Blue Award
Amelia H. (Animal Industry) – Blue Award
Andromeda R. (Citizenship and Leadership) – Blue Award
Andromeda R. (Environmental Science, Nature, and the Outdoors) – Blue Award
Andromeda R. (Public Speaking) – Blue Award
Andromeda R. and Kristiana Y. (Share the Fun: Vocal) – Blue Award
Brenda G. (Share the Fun: Dance) – Red Award
Brenda G., Jennica M., and Avery R. (Share the Fun: Dance) – Red Award
Gabriella Y. (Leisure and Performing Arts) – Blue Award
Gabriella Y. (Public Speaking) – Red Award
Gabriella Y. (Share the Fun: Instrumental) – Blue Award
Hazel and Caleb H. (Team: Animal Industry) – Blue Award
Ian J. (Science and Technology) – Blue Award
Kristiana Y. (Citizenship and Leadership) – Blue Award
Kristiana Y. (Share the Fun: Instrumental) – Blue Award
Kristiana Y. (Small Animals and Pets) – Blue Award
Madison K. (Environmental Science, Nature, and the Outdoors) – Blue Award
Michael Y. (Plants and Gardening) – Blue Award
Michael Y. (Science and Technology) – Blue Award
Michael Y. (Share the Fun: Instrumental) – Blue Award
Sofia P. (Plants and Gardening) – Blue Award
Zachary G. (Animal Industry) – Red Award

Youth standing on stage with ribbons. — 4-Hers are recognized with ribbons at County Events.

Congratulations to 4-H District Participants!

Youth stand presenting their project at districts. — We are so proud of our youth for presenting at District Events.

Amelia H. (Animal Industry) – Blue Award
Andromeda R. (Citizenship and Leadership) – Blue Award and Medallion Winner
Brenda G. (Share the Fun: Dance) – Red Award
Caleb and Hazel H. (Team: Animal Industry) – Blue Award and Medallion Winners
Ian J. (Science and Technology) – Blue Award and Medallion Winner
Madison K. (Environmental Science, Nature, and the Outdoors) – Blue Award
Sofia P. (Plants and Gardening) – Red Award
Zachary G. (Animal Industry) – Red Award