The Chief Joseph Days Rodeo Committee and Kent and Sondra Lozier, winners of the Friends of 4-H award, were among those recognized during the recent 4-H Family Appreciation Night dinner at Cloverleaf Hall.

Members, parents, leaders and supporters gathered to celebrate Wallowa Countys 4-H program at the annual event. It was hosted by the Wallowa County 4-H Leaders Association, which gave out numerous awards during the evening.

Helping with the award presentations was the new 4-H Court of Sarah Aschenbrenner, Addie Kilgore and Lauren Makin.

The CJD Rodeo group was recognized for its significant contributions to the 4-H program every year, including donations to the radio auction, purchasing animals at the livestock auction, working in the food booth at the fair and providing fundraising opportunities during Chief Joseph Days.

The Loziers were praised by presenter Debi Schreiber as a hardworking couple that have given many hours to the community, and specifically to the fairground improvement projects. They have spent countless hours painting, cleaning, building and beautifying the grounds. The Loziers also support the 4-H program by sponsoring awards, donating to the radio auction and supporting the livestock auction.

Winner of the 2012 Alumni Award, presented each year to a former 4-H member, was rancher Charlie Warnock of Imnaha. Among his many contributions to 4-H and the community, reported by 2011 recipient/leaders association secretary Jill Arbogast, are: leader of a rifle club within the Imnaha Tomahawk 4-H Club (his old club), part of the 4-H Urban-Rural Exchange Program, a chaperone for field trips, and former president of 4-H Leaders Association, Wallowa County Stockgrowers, Imnaha Rodeo Club and Joseph FFA Alumni.

Arbogast praised Warnock as a 4-H alumni that exemplifies all the characteristics of a dedicated citizen and an excellent role model for our youth.

The 4-H Leader of the Year award was presented to Carl McFetridge by 2011 winner Karen Rinehart. McFetridge grew up in the 4-H program and is an assistant leader with the Golden Arrow Livestock club. He is vice president of the 4-H Leaders Association, and is also a volunteer with the Enterprise Fire Department, Hells Canyon Mule Days and Enterprise FFA Alumni.

A number of 4-H leaders were recognized with pins (given to first year leaders and for each five-year mark), including veterans Perry and Donna Mae Johnston, who received their 45-year pins, and Bonnie Marks, a pin for 35 years of service. Others recipients were: first-year, Wendy Falk and Ilene Wells; five-year, Candi Staigle, Karen Rinehart and Carl Sanders; 10-year, Cammie Hale and Kim Norton; and 15-year, Bonnie Henderson.

Pins were also awarded for first-year junior leaders Sarah Aschenbrenner, Claire Beck, Ally Cooney, Taylor Grote, Addie Kilgore, Christina Matthews, Oriana Wandschneider and Gabrielle Wells. Returning junior leaders recognized were Cody Arbogast, Sarah Kunkle, Thomas Matthews and Anna Rinehart.

Cody Arbogast was the winner of the Viola and Perry Johnston Sr. Memorial Award, a cash award of $100 to a member taking part in a national event. The money will help with Arbogasts expenses when he attends the National 4-H Horse Classics competition in Kentucky in November and represents Oregon in the presentation contest. The 4-H Leaders Association chipped in another $250 for his trip.

Extension Agent John Williams presented awards to winners of the 2012 Carcass Contest to Will McCadden, 1st, $175; Emily Ketscher, 2nd, $105; and Cole Warnock, 3rd, $70.

County Medals of Merit were awarded to the following 4-H members in different project areas: Horse, Anna Rinehart; Beef, Lauren Makin and Dylan Denton; Swine, Stephanie George; Livestock Judging, Trevor Wentz; Agriculture, Bretta Wentz; Community Service, Sarah Aschenbrenner; and Achievement, Cody Arbogast.

Deidre Schreiber was winner of the Hafer Memorial Award, which goes to a 4-H member involved in both livestock and home ec projects.

Recipients of All-Around Awards were: Deidre Schreiber, Junior Foods; Rylee Goller, Junior Clothing; Caitlin Robb, Intermediate Clothing; Sarah Kunkle, Senior Clothing; and Sonora Blair, Livestock.