10/12/2026
We had a great recognition program! Thank you Taylor Harris and Angela Helton for putting it together. 🍀
Macon County 4-H Recognizes Outstanding Youth, Volunteers and Achievements at Annual Awards Program
MACON, MO — Macon County 4-H celebrated another successful year of youth achievement, leadership, community service and volunteer dedication during its annual Recognition Program held Sunday, October 11, at Crossroads Christian Church in Macon.
The annual event recognized outstanding 4-H members for their accomplishments in county, regional, state and national programs, while also honoring the volunteers and community supporters who help make Macon County’s 4-H program successful.
Outstanding 4-H Members:
The highest county-level youth honor presented each year is the Outstanding Boy and Outstanding Girl Award. Winners are selected based on their involvement, leadership, service and accomplishments in 4-H. Each recipient receives a custom Macon County 4-H belt buckle.
The 2026 winners were:
Outstanding Girl, Ages 8–10: Bright Baker
Outstanding Boy, Ages 8–10: Truman Turnbull
Outstanding Girl, Ages 11–13: Brynlee Baker
Outstanding Boy, Ages 11–13: Cason Snow
Outstanding Girl, Ages 14 and Older: Paisley Weldon
Outstanding Boy, Ages 14 and Older: Tucker Fitzsimmons
State and National 4-H Honors:
Several Macon County members earned recognition for accomplishments extending beyond the county.
Brody Baker received the Danforth “I Dare You” Award, presented to the county’s top state award form applicant demonstrating outstanding leadership.
Molly Ziebarth received the "Quality of Living Award," recognizing outstanding achievement in home environment projects.
Brody Baker and Savannah Klamert received State Excellence Awards for their Level 3 State 4-H Award Forms submitted during the previous 4-H year. The state-level judging and award process takes place after the year in which the forms are submitted. Both were selected to attend National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia, in November.
Macon County also recognized Brody Baker for his service as a Missouri State 4-H Ambassador. Savannah Klamert and Tucker Fitzsimmons were selected to join the state ambassador team for the coming year. Macon County has more members serving on the state ambassador team than any other county in Missouri.
Two Macon County members, Maverick Miller and Truman Turnbull, earned first-place honors in their respective categories at the Missouri State 4-H Public Speaking Contest.
State 4-H Award Forms:
Macon County 4-H recognized members who completed State 4-H Award Forms, documenting their project accomplishments, leadership, community service and personal development.
The county’s top award form winners were:
Level 1: Bright Baker and Annalena Murphy, tied for first place; Adeline Turnbull, second place.
Level 2: Elizabeth Coleman, first place; Brynlee Baker, second place.
Level 3: Paisley Weldon, first place; Tucker Fitzsimmons, second place.
All five Level 3 applicants — Paisley Weldon, Tucker Fitzsimmons, Molly Ziebarth, Baylie Binder and Addison Bibbs — will advance to state judging.
Scholarships:
Macon County 4-H recognized several members for earning scholarships in support of their continued education.
Ava Ancell and Kendrick Hulett were recipients of Missouri 4-H Foundation Scholarships.
Hulett also received the Robbie Craigg Jr. Memorial Scholarship.
Achievement Day Contest Winners:
Macon County 4-H members competed in a variety of contests during Achievement Day, demonstrating skills in public speaking, demonstrations, judging, collections and table setting.
Table Setting: Annalena Murphy, Brynlee Baker and Owen Kroes.
Collections: Adeline Turnbull, Gage McCarty and Bodie Lenzini.
General Demonstrations: Aylen Murphy, Dylan Schneider and Paisley Weldon.
Working Demonstrations: Laramie Rodriquez, Mason Close and Owen Kroes.
Specialty Demonstrations: Karmyn Jennings and Morgan Kroes.
Judging: Daniel Dunsmoor, Briley Casady and Kinley Lenzini.
Prepared Public Speaking: Maverick Miller, Brynlee Baker and Jon Reuterdahl.
Extemporaneous Public Speaking: Maverick Miller, Chipper Miller, Brody Baker and Savannah Klamert.
Interpretation Speech: Truman Turnbull.
Technology-Assisted Speech: Morgan Kroes.
Business Pitch Speech: Aimee Kroes and Jay Reuterdahl.
Fashion Revue Recognition
Winners in the county’s Fashion Revue program were also recognized for their skills in clothing construction, fashion selection and textile projects:
Sewing Construction — Dressy: Reagan Moore; regional alternate Harper Moore.
Sewing Construction — Casual: Harper Krull and Maree Butner.
Shopping in Style — Dressy: Hailey Kroes, Morgan Kroes, Reagan Moore and Macie Miller; regional alternate Aimee Kroes.
Shopping in Style — Casual: Aylen Murphy and Harper Moore.
Knit or Crochet: Abbee Butner.
Five county youth were also recognized for advancing to the Missouri State Fashion Revue in Warrensburg.
Macon County 4-H Royalty:
The program recognized the outgoing 2025–2026 Macon County 4-H Royalty:
Queen: Paisley Weldon
King: Tucker Fitzsimmons
Princess: Brynlee Baker
Prince: Cason Snow
Junior Princess: Lena Murphy
Junior Prince: Truman Turnbull
The new Macon County 4-H Royalty selected for 2026–2027 includes:
Queen: Addison “Addy” Bibbs
King: Cason Snow
Princess: Elizabeth Coleman
Junior Princess: Morgan Kroes
Junior Prince: Maverick Miller
Royalty members serve as ambassadors for Macon County 4-H, assisting at the county fair, participating in parades and promoting 4-H throughout the community.
Outstanding Volunteers and Community Supporters:
Olivia Noland Ligon received the Outstanding 4-H Leader Award. Through her leadership, the county bacon project and show have grown to more than 80 entries. Ligon has provided supplies, instruction and encouragement to 4-H and FFA members throughout Macon County.
Justin Nelson, owner of Atlanta Farm Supply, received the Friend of Macon County 4-H Award. Nelson has supported livestock education, hosted meetings and helped provide transportation for youth attending state leadership events.
Deidre Weldon received the Missouri 4-H Foundation’s Naomi Crouch Volunteer Leadership Award. Weldon was recognized for growing the county horse program from just three participants to more than 40 riders, organizing fundraising activities, mentoring youth and supporting countywide 4-H events. Weldon was also recognized for 10 years of volunteer service.
Stacey Hudson was recognized for 10 years of volunteer service, while Amy Schaefer was recognized for 29 years of continuous service as a 4-H project leader.
Club Recognition:
The Atlanta Home Pioneer 4-H Club and Macon Easy Riders 4-H Club received Club Seals recognizing their achievements during the 4-H year.
The Callao Shamrocks 4-H Club received both the Outstanding Club Secretary’s Book Award and the Outstanding Club Treasurer’s Book Award, with each award carrying a $25 prize.
A Strong Future for Macon County 4-H:
Macon County 4-H continues to provide young people with opportunities to develop leadership, public speaking, citizenship, responsibility and practical life skills through hands-on projects and community involvement.
The annual Recognition Program celebrates not only individual accomplishments but also the commitment of families, volunteer leaders and community partners who make those opportunities possible.
Macon County 4-H is part of University of Missouri Extension’s statewide 4-H youth development program, helping young people build confidence, develop skills and become engaged members of their communities.
