Quay County 4-H honors members, leaders

Quay County 4-H celebrated all its members' accomplishments in 2024 at the annual 4-H Achievement Banquet earlier this month at the Quay County Fairgrounds.

This event honors community members, volunteers, leaders and 4-H members who assisted the program throughout the year. 4-H members who completed a record book also were eligible for awards. Almost 100 members and their families attended.

The Tumbleweeds Club hosted the event, and the theme was "Ride for the Brand." Members, parents and guests were asked to wear their best cowboy attire.

The event began with recognition for volunteers and community members for their support of Quay County 4-H.

- Honorary Members Award: Amber Black, Jimmy and Amanda Hammer and Ron Lopez.

- Meritorious Service Award: Teresa Gibson from Wild at Heart Floral, DJ Lalo of KTNM and Connie Loveland of Photos by Connie.

- Friends of 4-H Award: Ralph Lopez and Annie McCauley.

4-H Leaders also were recognized for their dedication to all Quay County 4-H members.

- Joyce Runyan was given the Club Leader of the Year Award.

- Jason Lafferty was given the County Leader of the Year Award.

- Michael and Janet Brazel were given the Volunteer of the Year Award.

Parent Leaders were recognized for their years of service to 4-H.

- First-year leaders: Jodie Marquez, Silvia Acosta, Jose Almeida, Sheila Atwood, Bert and Debbie Ancell, Roy Hampton, Renee Bagget, Kayla Nelson and Steve and Teresa Stephenson.

- Five-Year Leader Service Award: Rebecca Ray and Bonnie Lee of the High-Plains 4-H Club.

- Ten-Year Leader Service Award: Matt and Erin Smith of the C-C 4-H Club and Jimmy and Amanda Hammer, Kara Smith, Wayland and Marci Oliver of the Wranglers 4-H Club.

- 15-Year Leader Service Award: Fran Tollett of the Roadrunners 4-H Club

- 25-Year Leader Service Award: Gordan and Joyce Runyan of the Roadrunners 4-H Club

Cloverbud Awards were given to members who are 5 to 8 years old and completed a Cloverbud record book. Receiving the award were Jill Mosteller, Mark Wood, Echo Wood, Brinley Wallace, Gannon Wallace, Beya Marquez, Kenna Pendley, Kage Pendley, Noah Lawe, Caylyb Lawe, Fabian Madrid and Maebrie Behrends.

Members receiving the Quay County 4-H Letterman Award where Carter Smith and Michael Oglesby.

Ashton Smith was presented with the State FCS Gold Letterman Award.

Carter Smith was recognized with the Club Treasurer Award, and Leighanna Behrends received the Club Secretary Award.

Achievement Awards also were presented.

- Novice Winners: Kaelyn Stephenson and Kolt Wood

- Junior Winners: Leighanna Behrends and Kale Griffiths

- Senior Winners: Desirea Young and Michael Ogelsby

Outstanding 4-H Awards were given out.

- First-Year Members: Kaelyn Stephenson and Kolt Wood

- Novice Members: Adalynn Brazel and Kipton Griffiths

- Junior Members: Avery Brazel and Gavin Wallace

- Senior Members: Ashton Smith and Carter Smith

Completion Pins were given to members who completed project records as part of their record books.

- Archery: Christian Behrends, Leighanna Behrends

- Arts and Crafts: Carter Smith and Kaelyn Stephenson

- Baking: Leighanna Behrends and Adalynn Brazel

- Beef/Cattle Breeding: Leighanna Behrends

- Beef/Market Steer: Kale Griffiths

- Clothing Construction: Ashton Smith

- Dog: Avery Brazil

- Electricity: Gavin Wallace

- Entomology: Desirea Young and Gavin Wallace

- Gardening: Kale Griffiths

- Horse: Ashton Smith and Carter Smith

- Jewelry Making: Kaelyn Stephenson

- Market Goat: Kale Griffiths and Kipton Griffiths

- Market Swine: Gavin Wallace

- Muzzleloading: Ashton Smith and Carter Smith

- New Mexico Flavor: Adalynn Brazel and Kipton Griffiths

- New Mexico Roundup: Avery Brazel

- Photography: Leighanna Behrends and Maddie Kenyon

- Pistol: Michael Oglesby and Carter Smith

- Poultry: Lillian Mosteller, William Mosteller, Carter Smith, Ashton Smith and Kaelyn Stephenson

- Rabbits: Gavin Wallace

- Rifle: Michael Oglesby, Avery Brazel, Alexis Hudspeth, Kolt Wood

- Robotics: Michael Ogelsby and Gavin Wallace

- Rocketry: Kipton Griffiths and Michael Ogelsby

- Super Snacking: Adalynn Brazel

- Welcome to 4-H: Lillian Mosteller, William Mosteller, Kaelyn Stephenson and Kolt Wood

- Wood Science: Kipton Griffiths and Kale Griffiths

- Vet Science: Ashton Smith