Codington County 4-H Honors Youth and Volunteers at 2026 Recognition Event

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Codington County 4-H honored local youth members, club leaders, alumni, and community supporters during its annual 4-H Recognition Event on Sunday, Oct. 25.

The ceremony recognized 25 Codington County 4-H youth with special county project, leadership, citizenship, and scholarship awards, alongside nine adult volunteers, alumni, and community businesses for their service to the local 4-H program.

2026 Special County Youth Awards

Three Codington County 4-H members—Caleb Fischer, Jayda Orthaus, and Brylie Schlotterbeck—received the prestigious 4-H Key Award, while Marty Mickelson and James Kahnke were honored with local 4-H scholarships.

Codington County 4-H members received Special County Awards at the annual Codington County 4-H Recognition Event on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. Pictured are, front row, from left, Avery Zietz, Haven McGregor, Amelia Harms, Logan Pearson, Miles Flisrand, and Easton Flisrand; middle row, Myiah Orthaus, Jarra Koustrup, McKynlee Gaulrapp, Ellis Kahnke, Kanin Wasland, Deklynn Gaulrapp, and Brylie Schlotterbeck; and back row, Adrian Flisrand, Ruthanna Larson, Carlee Mushitz, Marty Mickelson, Caleb Fischer, Derek Flisrand, Layne Moes, and Jayda Orthaus. Not pictured are Waylon Arendsee, Addison Byer, Cassidy Fleming, James Kahnke, Covin Grabow, and Gracelyn Webb. (Photo courtesy of SDSU Extension - Codington County 4-H)

Several members earned multiple project and leadership honors across livestock, static exhibits, and community service categories:

·         Waylon Arendsee: Beginners Award, Morgan Kohl Dairy Award

·         Addison Byer: All-Around Showmanship

·         Caleb Fischer: 4-H Key Award, Ruth Johnson 4-H Food Award, Tschakert Award

·         Cassidy Fleming: Beginners Award

·         Adrian Flisrand: LeRoy Hess Public Speaking Award, Senior Halajian Goat Award

·         Derek Flisrand: 4-H Junior Leaders Award

·         Easton Flisrand: Coteau Prairie Master Gardeners Horticulture Award, Junior Jackson Award, Mallory Kohn Poultry Award, Reichling Visual Arts Award (Junior)

·         Miles Flisrand: Small Animal Award, Reichling Visual Arts Award (Beginner)

·         Deklynn Gaulrapp: Country Citizenship Award, Linda Lenards Community Service Award

·         McKynlee Gaulrapp: County Citizenship Medal

·         Covin Grabow: Junior Halajian Goat Award

·         Amelia Harms: Beginners Award

·         Ellis Kahnke: 4-H Conservation District Award

·         James Kahnke: Bob Schurrer Scholarship, DeBerg Scholarship

·         Jarra Koustrup: Leo Klein Dairy Award

·         Ruthanna Larson: 4-H Horse Award, Junior Rabbit Award

·         Haven McGregor: Beginners Award

·         Marty Mickelson: 4-H Leaders Scholarship Award

·         Layne Moes: Fred Morris Sheep Award, 4-H Junior Leaders Award

·         Carlee Mushitz: Country Citizenship Award

·         Jayda Orthaus: 4-H Key Award

·         Myiah Orthaus: County Leadership Medal, Elsie Chilson Memorial Award, Photography Award, Reichling Visual Arts Award (Senior)

·         Logan Pearson: Beginners Award

·         Brylie Schlotterbeck: 4-H Key Award, Senior Ronke Award, Jerry Loken Award

·         Kanin Wasland: Abraham Swine Award, Jeremy Redlin Beef Award

·         Gracelyn Webb: Senior Rabbit Award

·         Avery Zietz: Beginners Award

Codington County 4-H honored local leaders, alumni, and community supporters during the Codington County 4-H Recognition Event on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. Award recipients pictured include Brandon Heim of The Watertown Current, Hannah Loehrer, Jason Gaulrapp, Cassie Fischer, Alyssa Mushitz, and Callie Mueller. Not pictured are Les Schwab Tire Center, Mike Grann, and Patti Sperry. (Photo courtesy of SDSU Extension - Codington County 4-H)

2026 4-H Leader, Alumni, and Volunteer Awards

Codington County 4-H also presented its 2026 Leader and Volunteer Awards to recognize milestone years of service, alumni involvement, and community support:

·         Meritorious Award: Mike Grann

·         Friends of 4-H Award: Brandon Heim (The Watertown Current) and Les Schwab Tire Center

·         4-H Alumni Award: Hannah Loehrer and Callie Mueller

·         4-H Volunteer Award: Cassie Fischer and Alyssa Mushitz

·         Pearl Clover Award (15 Years of Service): Patti Sperry

·         Gold Clover Award (10 Years of Service): Cassie Fischer

·         Silver Clover Award (5 Years of Service): Jason Gaulrapp