St. Joseph County Youth Wins Michigan 4-H Honor
Published: Friday, January 10, 2025
The following is from Autumn Converse of Michigan State University Extension.
Good sportsmanship is a critical skill for youth. Competitive events and activities provide a great opportunity for young people to learn how to be fair, respectful and gracious—whether they win or lose. Demonstrating good sportsmanship is not just for youth 4-H members—it applies to everyone involved, including volunteers, parents, leaders and others.
The Michigan 4-H Animal Science Sportsperson of the Year Award recognizes one youth member and one adult 4-H leader who exemplify the definition of sportsmanship. The winners of this award have gone above and beyond to lead by example and lend a helping hand to those around them during animal science programs.
The 2024 youth winner of this award is Keegan New, a 4-H member in St. Joseph County who participates in dairy beef, sheep, swine and poultry projects. New received a glowing nomination from St. Joseph County 4-H program coordinator Kayla Mitchell, who also worked with him as a beef project leader in the Burr Oak 4-H Club for eight years.
It is clear that New exemplifies good sportsmanship in all aspects of his 4-H experience.
"I have seen many young show people come and go, but Keegan uniquely stands out above the rest. From the time he was a second-year member, he has not only been willing but also excited to work with other 4-H members to help them in any capacity he can. He is one of the most respectful 4-H members in my program, always helping others and never thinking about what he'll receive in return."
Mitchell continued, "Keegan has been very successful throughout his 4-H career. However, it is not his achievements I want to highlight, it's his incredible drive to help others—whether they are 4-H members or leaders. Keegan has shown extraordinary qualities of leadership, respect, responsibility, helpfulness and personal growth. He leads by example in work ethic, personality and morals. In competition, he is the first to congratulate his peers on their successes, regardless of how he places himself."
New is a member of the St. Joseph County 4-H Youth Council, a 4-H camp counselor and a Cloverbud mentor. Mitchell mentioned that he plans to become a 4-H volunteer and assist the sheep superintendent with summer workouts and other youth learning opportunities in the future. It is clear that Keegan lends so much of his time to helping others in his 4-H community.
Eighteen youth from across Michigan were nominated for the 2024 Michigan 4-H animal science sportsperson of the year award. Each of them deserves recognition for the ways they demonstrated good sportsmanship this year.
The nominees were: Emarie B., Newaygo County. Eliotte H., Newaygo County, Isabella K., Wayne County, Elizabeth L., Ingham County, Brieanna M., Bay County, Corbin M., Saginaw County, Mariah N., Hillsdale County, Madeline N., Midland County, Abigail O., Chippewa County, Bridget P., Menominee County, Caitlin P., Dickinson County, William R., Washtenaw County, Elizabeth S., Ottawa County, Faith S., Wexford County, Aarian V., Newaygo County, Shelby W., Bay County and Samantha W., Genesee County.
The 2024 adult winner of this award is Diane Turland, a 4-H leader in Genesee County.
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