The 4-H / Senior Center provided the backdrop Sunday for the annual Geary County 4-H Awards Night. The event culminates a year of hard work by 4-H members and support from the community.

The Outstanding 4-H Family of the year was the John and Phyllis Boller family. Phyllis said she and John were 4-H members when they were young, and that was going to be a part of growing up for their son, Calen. The award meant a lot to this family, explained Phyllis. ” We wouldn’t be involved with the community as much without 4-H and it is just an excellent organization to get kids out there, and really be out in the community, helping in the community, and it really does support leadership.”

Mason Muto and Lauren Moon were named the Outstanding Boy and Girl Award recipients.

Mason is a member of the Humboldt 4-H Club, saying 4-H has brought him close with the community and taught him a lot about leadership. He plans to attend Wichita State University in the future to study aerospace engineering.

Lauren said the award means a lot. “I love 4-H. 4-H has given me so much and it’s just awesome that I got recognized for it tonight. She plans to attend Emporia State University to study biology education.

Nellie Smith was recognized with a 4-H Appreciation Award for purchasing one or more 4-H projects each year at the fair. In 2013 she began donating funds to the 4-H Foundation for the Ray and Nellie Smith Scholarship. So far that has totaled $11,000.

Numerous other awards were presented including the Fair Trophy to the Clarks Creek 4-H Club, the Herdsman Trophy to the Lyon Creek 4-H Club, Geary County Outstanding 4-H Project Leader to Jacque Shane, 2017-18 4-H Ambassadors including Lindsey Ascher, Kacey Butler, Rylie Ellis, Lauren Moon, Mason Musto, Calen Boller, Kaitlyn Butler, Cody Haycook, Macie Muto and Jada Nabus. The I Dare You Award went to Lindsey Ascher and Aleeya Williams, the Outstanding Reporter Notebook to Josie Strauss of the Lyon Creek 4-H Club, and the Rob Smith Citizenship Award to Tava Gustafson.