The Van Zandt County 4-H Club concluded its 2021-‘22 year with their annual awards banquet at the First Baptist Church in Canton gymnasium July 22.

The evening began with a welcome by Council President Johnathon Goode, the Pledge of Allegiance to the USA and Texas Flags presented by Addison Jacobs, the 4-H Pledge by Payton Roberts, followed by a meal and slide show.

Members were recognized for their accomplishments in 4-H. Members that completed the 4-H Record Book were also eligible to compete for additional awards based on their participation in 4-H and an interview by a panel of judges.

Outgoing Council President Johnathon Goode has represented the VZ 4-H program throughout various activities in the state and across the country. He has been a part of the 4-H National Shooting Sports Ambassadors at the 2022 National Championships two times.

This year he represented the county on the Texas State Smallbore pistol team, placing fifth overall in slow fire and third in rapid fire. Locally, he was always available to help with leadership, community service and club events. He was the recipient of a State 4-H Scholarship, the Metch Memorial and VZ 4-H Paul Orf Scholarships totaling over $12,000.

Goode concluded the evening with his Presidential Speech stating, “I’d like to start out with the 4-H Motto, something that is often glossed over and often not thought about in regard to what the purpose of 4-H is. The 4-H Motto is ‘To make the best better.’ In my experience, the motto does not insinuate that the members of 4-H are somehow better than everyone, but rather that 4-H builds great leaders that are community service minded. 4-H teaches its members the skills that allow them to become the best in their respective projects and the opportunities to better themselves and 4-H as a whole.”

He continued, “The way 4-H is structured, in order to succeed or become the best in a certain project, you must discipline yourself and learn from others. Also, there are many great 4-H Leaders who have demonstrated good leadership skills that I wanted to practice, myself. Currently, we live in a society where there are a lot of followers, where we are told how to think and act.

“However, in my 4-H career, the 4-H principles and mentors taught me to be the best I could be. Whether that was in my projects, leadership, and community. They taught me to not be afraid to set goals and be an advocate for the ideas of those that I work with and represent, and I encourage you to do so as well. Do not be afraid to set goals and try to achieve them.”