The Berkshire 4-H Program Holds Annual Awards & Recognition Event
 |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 4-H members, volunteers, parents, and supporters gathered at St. Stephen's Church in Pittsfield earlier this month to recognize everyone's hard work and accomplishments for the last 4-H year.
Volunteers were recognized for milestone years of service: one year, Amanda Brooks-Clemeno, Worthington, and Beth Hiam, Williamstown; five years, Dave & Donna Motta of North Adams and Curt Petricca of Pittsfield; 10 years, Elaine Caligiuri of Lenox and Larry Heyman of North Adams; and 15 years, Adrianne Epe and Sherry Mangiardi, both of Pittsfield.
The Friend of 4-H award went to Glenda Matos-Carter of Williamstown; she was nominated for her consistent support and willingness to help. The Fair Honor Roll goes to people nominated for going above and beyond to help make the annual Berkshire Youth Fair a success. There were: Brigid & Isabel Beauchamp of Lanesborough, Fiora Caligiuri-Randall of Lenox, Jane Diaz of North Adams, Faith and Hope Motta of North Adams and Leila Paredes of Pittsfield.
To be the recipient of the Loving Hands Award, a 4-H'er must go through an application process. The award is then given to the youth who best exemplifies the ability to handle and care for his/her animal at the annual Youth Fair. This year's winner was Maggy Sarnacki of East Otis. In order to be considered for this award, youth have to travel to, and participate in, at least three Western Massachusetts 4-H Fairs and submit their results to a regional committee. For all his effort, Isaac Epe of Pittsfield was recognized for sheep.
Recognized for turning their visual presentations into either an action exhibit or stage presentation at the Eastern States Exposition (Big E) were Faith and Hope Motta of North Adams and Charlotte Tuper of Florida. Representing Berkshire 4-H at the Regional 4-H Horse Show were Allison Brazie of Egremont and Amber Dube and Kayli Smith, both of Sheffield.
Every year Berkshire 4-H hosts a public speaking contest called "4-H Visual Presentations." The following 4-H'ers participated in the county event and were chosen to represent Berkshire 4-H at the State 4-H Competition with hundreds of participants: Cheyenne and Erynne Goodermote, Clarksburg, Faith and Hope Motta, North Adams, Kayleigh and Tiffany Richard, Readsboro, Vt., Owen Siket of Sheffield and Charlotte Tuper of Florida.
Berkshire 4-H Ambassadors are youth trained to talk to groups about 4-H. They speak to everyone from civic groups to parent/teacher groups: Fiora Caligiuri-Randall of Lenox, Hannah Heath of Becket, Faith & Hope Motta of North Adams and Nick Soldato of Pittsfield. County medals earned by youth who submit a 4-H record for judging. They receive a medal for the projects they took on over the previous 4-H year. Elliott-James and Myka Tuper of Florida were both recognized for being 4-H Cloverbuds and turning in their records. Cloverbuds are 4-H'ers 5 to 7 years old. Other medals were given to Elijah Acheson of Williamstown in Visual Arts, Serena Acheson of Williamstown in Cats, Allison Brazie of Egremont in Horse, Fiora Caligiuri-Randal of Lenox in Leadership, Communication Arts and Performing Arts, Amaya Cannon of Pittsfield in Sheep, Brooke Decker of Sheffield in Horse, Katilyn Decker of Sheffield in Horse, Daniel Epe of Pittsfield in Sheep, Isaac Epe of Pittsfield in Sheep, Faith Motta of North Adams in Performing Arts, Leadership, Veterinary Science and Community Service, Hope Motta of North Adams in Performing Arts, Safety and Citizenship, Kayli Smith of Sheffield in Horse, and Charlotte Tuper of Florida in Public Speaking, Clothing & Textiles, Rabbit, Performing Arts, and Photography.
The Scott S. Robinson scholarship was awarded to Krista Mangiardi of Pittsfield, who is currently working on her master's degree at Yale University. The Top H award is awarded to one junior and one senior 4-H member, who turn in their records, are nominated based on their records, and then a person from outside of the county chooses the recipient. Members can only win this award once as a junior and once as a senior; it is the highest award given to Berkshire 4-H members. This year the Junior Top H recipient was Hope Motta of North Adams. The Senior Top H recipient was Faith Motta of North Adams.
Tags: 4-H,
