The 2012 National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) Conference was held last week in Orlando, Florida. University of Nebraska—Lincoln Extension was well-represented through a variety of leadership, professional development, and recognition opportunities!
Tracy Behnken has completed her leadership role as a North Central Regional Director.
Pre-conference seminars, program seminars, and poster sessions were presented by the following UNL Extension professionals: Kathy Anderson, Kim Bearnes, Saundra Frerichs, Michelle Krehbiel, Kathleen Lodl, Megan Patent-Nygren, Sue Pearman, Kathy Potthoff, and Tracy Pracheil.
The following individuals were recognized as award recipients in the following areas:
Service Awards
• Achievement in Service Award (ASA) – Elizabeth Janning, Kristine Spath
• Distinguished Service Award (DSA) – Kimberly Cook, Sarah Effken-Purcell
• Meritorious Service Award (MSA) – Robert Meduna
• 25-Year Award – Robert Meduna, Katherine Potthoff
Specialty Awards
• National, Regional, and State Winner
o Career Explorer – Website and iPad App; Interactive Educational Web Site – Team
Shane Potter, Jeff Abele, Kim Bearnes, Tracy Behnken, Heather Borck, Brian Bosshamer, Dr. Kathleen Lodl, Tracy Pracheil, Dustin Renken, Barb Scharf, Lila Tooker, Amy Topp, Dr. Dave Varner, Jane Armstrong
• Regional and State Winner
o Career Development and Creating Balance Through Extension Programming; Diversity – Team
Kim Bearnes, Lee Sherry, Sarah Polacek, Jennifer Hansen
o Water Celebration; Natural Resources / Environment Education – Team
Deb Weitzenkamp, Sarah Effken-Purcell, Diane Mayfield, Joyce Reich, Mary Ann Holland, Kristie Nutsch-Fulton, Jami Ankrom
• State Winner
o Character on the Job; Educational Piece – Team
Kim Bearnes, Lee Sherry, Ruth Vonderohe, Jim Mueller, Sandy Preston, Amy Topp, LaDonna Werth, Mary Loftis, Ann Fenton, Jennifer Hansen, Angela Abts, Megan Hanefeldt, Jackie Steffens, Sarah Polacek
o Pawnee County First LEGO League; Educational Technology – Individual
Deb Weitzenkamp
o Clue Into Science, 4-H Science Fun Day; Educational Technology – Team
Elizabeth Janning, Ashley Benes, Elizabeth Killinger, Jenny Rees
o Northeast GIS Day; Power of Youth – Team
Lee Sherry, Kim Bearnes, Sarah Polacek, Jennifer Hansen, Jackie Steffens, Ruth Vonderohe, Norman Small
o Life on the Farm Field Day; Excellence in Animal Science Programming – State Winner
Sarah Polacek
Communicator Award
• National, Regional, and State Winner
o 4-H’ers Become S.E.T. Instructors; Feature Story
Mary Loftis
• Regional and State Winner
o Fast Track 4-H Volunteer Training; Media Presentation – Team
Kimberly Cook, Elizabeth Janning, Brenda Aufdenkamp, D’Ette Scholtz, Tracy Pracheil, Lisa Kaslon
o Teams Advance in First LEGO League Competition; News Story
Deb Weitzenkamp
o Small, but Enthusiastic Workshop; Personal Column
Mary Loftis
o Which Way Do I Go?; Published Photo
Mary Loftis
• State Winner
o 2011 NAE4-HA Conference Powerpoint Display and Banners; Exhibit
Tracy Behnken
o 4-H Teen Fashion Board; Promotional Package – Individual
Megan Burda
o Norfolk Daily News 4-H Promotional Insert; Promotional Package – Team
Lee Sherry, Angela Abts, Elizabeth Birnstihl, Susan Hansen, Tracy Pracheil
o 4-H… Making the Best Better; Promotional Piece – Individual
Kimberly Cook
o Fast Track – 4-H Volunteer Training; Promotional Piece – Team
Kimberly Cook, Brenda Aufdenkamp, D’Ette Scholtz
Thank you for representing UNL Extension and congratulations to all on these outstanding achievements!
-- Kathleen Lodl