Kansas 4-H names state project award winners

Annual awards announced during Emerald Circle celebration

At a glance: The Kansas 4-H Youth Development program recognized more than three dozen youth as state project award winners during the recent Emerald Circle banquet.

More information: Sarah Maass, 785-532-5800, semaass@ksu.edu

Related: Kansas 4-H Youth Development | Kansas 4-H Foundation

 

June 26, 2025

K-State Research and Extension news service

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Kansas 4-H Youth Development program has recognized more than three dozen youth as state project award winners.

Sarah Maass, state leader for the Kansas 4-H program, said “being a state project winner indicates prior excellence and points to (youth’s) future potential.”

“Youth must display leadership skills and hearts for service by organizing events like community service projects, project meetings to share their expertise with younger 4-H members, and other unique efforts,” Maass said.

One state winner is selected yearly from the senior division (ages 14-18) in 45 project categories. Kansas 4-H youth submit a project report form, which is a summary of their work in a certain project.

Maass notes that in addition to learning new project skills, youth must also demonstrate growth and strength in leadership, organization, civic engagement and communication within the project.

This year’s project winners, in alphabetical order by county or extension district are:

Butler County – Riley Garcia, Dairy.

Central Kansas District, Saline County– Eian Pracht, Uncrewed Aircraft System.

Central Kansas District, Saline County– Acacia Pracht, Visual Arts.

Central Kansas District, Saline County– Jaelyn Gates, Wildlife.

Central Kansas District, Ottawa County – Lillian Hulse, Communications.

Chisholm Trail District, Dickinson County– Josslyn DePew, Dog.

Chisholm Trail District, Dickinson County– Justin Latzke, Electrical and Renewable Energy.

Chisholm Trail District, Dickinson County– Eyler Holt, Meat Goat.

Chisholm Trail District, Dickinson County– Carleigh Abeldt, Sheep.

Coffey County – Morgan Vogts, Family Studies.

Coffey County – Alonna Rodgers, Vet Science.

Cowley County – Anthony Jelinek, Aerospace/Rocketry.

Harvey County – Jaeann James, Reading Adventures.

Johnson County – Ellie Bustamante, Computer Science.

Johnson County – George Delancy, Entomology.

Leavenworth County – Mackenzie Calovich, Horse.

Lyon County – Alycia Granado, Rabbits.

Marais des Cygnes District, Miami County– Max Bauer, Foods and Nutrition.

McPherson County – Stone Nichols, Woodworking.

Meadowlark District, Jefferson County– Karson Kahler, Agronomy.

Meadowlark District, Jefferson County– Abraham Noll, Poultry.

Meadowlark District, Jefferson County– Aurora Hoffman, Sewing and Textile Design.

Midway District, Ellsworth County– Josey Norris, Shooting Sports.

Phillips- Rooks District, Phillips County– Hannah Walker, Performing Arts.

Phillips-Rooks District, Phillips County– Savannah Bretton, Photography.

Post Rock District, Mitchell County– Norah Ellenz, Health and Wellness.

Pottawatomie County – Taylor Bryant, Forestry.

River Valley District, Washington County– Adelyn Oakes, Shopping in Style.

Russell County, Midway District – Kierra Eck, Leadership.

Sedgwick County – Genevieve Crouch, Geology.

Shawnee County – Miles Burgess, Robotics.

Southwind District, Allen County– Kyser Nemecek, Self-Determined.

Sunflower District, Wallace County– Kasen Stramel, Swine.

Thomas County – Reagan Frantz, Horticulture and Landscape Design.

Wildcat District, Wilson County– Tatum Francis, Ag Mechanics Welding.

Wild West District, Haskell County– Clayton Kunselman, Civic Engagement.

Wild West District, Haskell County– Trelawney Horinek, Fiber Arts.

Wild West District, Stevens County– Kassidy Kirkham, Beef.

Award winners were recognized during the Emerald Circle celebration, which was hosted for the first time this year by the State 4-H Office with funding provided by the Kansas 4-H Foundation. Officials say each state award winner’s project report forms progress through county, regional and statewide evaluations before the state winner in each project area is named.

“We also know our 4-H members’ success does not come without the support of family, mentors, volunteers and extension agents who work with our 4-H youth on the local level. The youth/adult partnership is evident at this level and we’re grateful for the time our adults give to guide our 4-H youth,” said Amy Collins, program coordinator with Kansas 4-H.

State 4-H project award winners are also eligible to attend the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia, in November. Numerous donors provide support for project winner’s trip to the National 4-H Congress, through the Kansas 4-H Foundation.

More information about opportunities available through the Kansas 4-H Youth Development program is available online.

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