We want to congratulate all the award winners from this year’s Galaxy Conference held this past September. Please let us know if we have missed any award winners.
_____________________________________________________________________
National Association of County Agriculture Agents (NACAA) Award Winners Announced:
_____________________________________________________________________
Dennis Bauer was State Communication Award winner for publications and Regional winner for the fact sheet division.
Tracy Behnken NACAA Distinguished Service Award, 2013 Communications Awards – National Finalist / Published Photo & Caption, 2013 State Winner / Feature Story, 2013 Communication Award – State Winner / Program Promotional Piece, Poster session / “ Youth Leadership Academy – Bridging the Gap of Ag Literacy
Lindsay Chichester received Audio recording – state winner, computer generated graphics presentation state winner, fact sheet – regional winner, learning module – regional winner, publication – state winner, Program recognition Excellence in 4-H programming National finalist)( featuring online youth Livestock Quality Assurance) NCAA poster competition honorable mention (featuring Animal Care Wednesday Webinar series), Co presenter in the Teaching Technologies 1 section (livestock QA to online program) and Co- presenter in Youth Program Development section ( Livestock QA and age appropriateness of content) NACAA Achievement Award winner
Larry Howard received “retiring director” plaque for completing term as North Central Regional Director
Bradley Lubben was State Communication Award winner for publications
Randy Saner received a green award in Sustainable Programming for poster titled 4S Goat: Teaches Sustainable Goat Production Practices Through Educational Seminar and Sale
Brandy Van DeWalle was a national finalist for the communications – Youth component of the crop watch website and gave a presentation on the “Innovative Youth Corn Challenge”
John Wilson - finalist for Search for Excellence in Crop Production as was invited to make a presentation on the topic of “Extension’s Involvement in Controversial Issues”
_____________________________________________________________________
National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) Award Winners Announced:
_____________________________________________________________________
Achievement in Service Award
Shane Potter – Shane has been an Extension Educator in Nebraska since 2008. From 2008 through 2011 he served as a district 4-H coordinator. Since 2012 he has worked in the State 4-H office providing support and guidance for extension staff in the areas of career development, healthy lifestyles and state fair programming.
Katelyn Pleskac – Katelyn Pleskac is an Extension Educator in Butler County where she involves youth in programming around science and agricultural literacy. During her five years in Extension she has served on various committees in the 4-H section including Diversity and Professional Development. She is currently the Historian of the 4-H section.
Distinguished Service Award
Cathy Johnston – Helping children and youth become successful, contributing citizens is the theme for Cathy’s programming. Youth who are prepared for school and the workplace contribute to the well-being of their families, communities and state. Cathy has accomplished this by working with youth, parents and other extension staff.
Deb Weitzenkamp – Dr. Deb Weitzenkamp’s mission is to inspire, excite, and expand the knowledge of youth and families by developing experiential education opportunities which highlight the role of science, technology, engineering, and mathematic (STEM) contributions to the production, processing and marketing of Nebraska agricultural products.
Meritorious Service Award
Brenda Aufdenkamp – Brenda Aufdenkamp has been in Nebraska Extension for 21 years serving Adams County for 9 years, Johnson, Nemaha and Pawnee Counties for 2 years in an Extension Assistant role. She currently is the Extension Educator in Lincoln, Logan and McPherson counties. Brenda’s primary focus is 4-H and youth development where she prides herself in the area of youth leadership. Brenda has been an active member of NCEA and the 4-H Section since 1991. She has served in several leadership roles in the Association as well as the 4-h section including: 4-H Section Treasurer, conference chair, conference committee secretary and the professional development committee. Brenda would like to continue developing and strengthening her leadership skills a she helps to guide new 4-H section members to the Association and Nebraska Extension.
25 Years of Service
Cathy Johnston – Helping children and youth become successful, contributing citizens is the theme for Cathy’s programming. Youth who are prepared for school and the workplace contribute to the well-being of their families, communities and state. Cathy has accomplished this by working with youth, parents and other extension staff.
Allan Vyhnalek – Allan has split his Extension career in Iowa and Nebraska. He successfully built county programs and more recently conducts GIS/GPS workshops for hundreds of youth. Allan has been active with NAE4-HA serving as Regional Director, VP for Marketing and Outreach, and tri-chair for the 2011 NAE4-HA Conference in Omaha.
North Central Regional Award Winners
Denis Miller 4-H Innovator Award - Deb Weirzenkamp, Karna Dam, Lindsay Chichester, Bob Meduna, Brian Bosshamer, Darci Presek, Tracy Pracheil, Elizabeth Janning
Excellence in Teamwork – Shane Potter, Dennis Bauer, Kim Bearnes, Heather Borck, Brian Bosshamer, Kurtis Harms,l Steven Pritchard, Alli Raymond, Barbara Scharf, Amy Topp
Interactive 4-H Educational Web Site – Deb Weitzenkamp, Karna Dam, Lindsay Chichester, Bob Meduna, Brian Bosshamer, Darci Presek, Tracy Pracheil, Elizabeth Janning, Paul Meduna, Melissa Bausch, Janae Koester, Mollee Sharpe, Paul Sunneberg
Excellence in Natural Resources/Environmental Education (Team) – Deb Weitzenkamp, Sarah Purcell, Diane Mayfield, Joyce Reich, Jessica Jones, Mary Ann Holland, Krsitie Nutsch-Fulton, Jami Rutt, Lindsay Chichester, Gary Lesoning, Steve Karloff, Chris Kennedy (NE USDA), Vera Ploeger I(NE USDA), Jane Kuhl & Charlie Pierce (NEMAHANRD), Tom Weinert
Excellence in 4-H Volunteerism (Team) – Elizabeth Janning, Brenda Aufdenkamp, Kimberly Cook, Deborah Kuenning, D’Ette Scholtz
Excellence in Geospatial Programs – Kim Bearnes, Lee Sherry, Sarah Polacek, Ruth Vonderohe, Norman small, Jackie Steffan, Jennifer Hansen
Educational Package (Individual) – Jackie Steffen
Educational Piece (Individual) – Megan Burda
Exhibit – Karna Dam and Deloris Pittman
Feature Story – Lee Sherry
Media Presentation – Lyndsey Pohlmeier
News Story – Karna Dam
Personal Column – Karna Dam
Promotional Package (Team) – Shane Potter, Jessica Bauman, heather Borck, Brian Bosshamer, Travis Gueret, Tracy Pracheil
Promotional Piece (Individual) – Sarah Polacek
Promotional Piece (Team) – Lee Sherry, Kathleen Lodl, Ruth Vonderohe, Tracy Pracheil, Lisa Kaslon, Kayla Hinrichs, Mary Pay Hoag, Elaine Thelen, Kim Bearnes
Published Photo – Jackie Steffen
Video Program – Shane Potter, Heather Borck, Brian Bosshamer, Mike Kamm, Alli Raymond
National Award Winners
Excellence in Teamwork – Shane Potter, Dennis Bauer, Kim Bearnes, Heather Borck, Brian Bosshamer, Kurtis Harms, Steven Pritchard, Alli Raymond, Barbara Scharf, Amy Topp
Interactive 4-H Educational Web Site – Deb Weitzenkamp, Karna Dam, Lindsay Chichester, Bob Meduna, Brian Bosshamer, Darci Presek, Tracy Pracheil, Elizabeth Janning, Paul Meduna, Melissa Bausch, Janae Koester, Mollee Sharpe, Paul Sunneberg
Educational Package (Individual) – Jackie Steffen
News Story – Karna Dam
Promotional Piece (Individual) – Sarah Polacek
Promotional Piece (Team) – Lee Sherry, Kathleen Lodl, Ruth Vonderohe, Tracy Pracheil, Lisa Kaslon, Kayla Hinrichs, Mary Pay Hoag, Elaine Thelen, Kim Bearnes
Published Photo – Jackie Steffen
Video Program – Shane Potter, Heather Borck, Brian Bosshamer, Mike Kamm, Alli Raymond
_____________________________________________________________________
National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science (NEAFCS) Award Winners Announced:
_____________________________________________________________________
NEAFCS Past President’s New Professional
National Winner – Kayla Colgrove, Nebraska
Central Region Winner – Kayla Colgrove, Nebraska
Family Health and Wellness
3rd place Central Region Winner – Carol Schwarz, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Rebecca Versch, Jamie Goffena, Cami Wells, Sandra Preston, Sharry Nielsen, Nancy Urbanec, Susan Hansen, Jessye Goertz, Amy Peterson, Debra Schroeder, Ann Fenton, Patricia Jones, Alice Henneman, Kayla Colgrove, Georgia Jones, Kayte Tranel
Communications – Internet Education Technology
2nd place National Winner and 2nd place
Central Region winner – Kayla Colgrove, Alice Henneman and Lisa Franzen-Castle
Communications – Educational Technology
1st place National Winner – Cami Wells, Carol Schwarz, Kayte Tranel, Cheryl Tickner
Marketing Package
National Winner and Central Region Winner – Maureen Burson, Cindy Strasheim, Gail Brand, Leslie Crandall, Nancy Frecks, Jeanette Friesen, Patricia Jones, Susan Pearman, Lisa Poppe, Rebecca Versch, Ruth Vonderohe, Mary K Warner, LaDonna Werth, Tonia Durden, Jackie Guzman, Cathy Johnson, Debbie Kuenning, Mary Nelson, Michael Riese, Deanna Vansickel, Holli Weber, Vicki Jedlicka, Melanie Eirich, Larry Lippke
Nebraska Distinguished Service Award
• Ruth Vonderohe
Nebraska Continued Excellence Award
• LaDonna Werth
• Maureen Burson