By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
Wood County 4-H has a reputation for excellence.
With more than 1,000 members, 200 volunteers and 45 clubs across the county, the program is considered a leader in Ohio when it comes to youth who are masterful in their respective project areas, said 2024 Wood County Junior Fair Queen Madison Lee, who represented Wood County at the Ohio State Fair Manager’s Queen Competition in Janaury.
“At the competition, when I was asked what makes your fair special, my answer was always, ‘No one does youth involvement like Wood County does,’’’ she said. “We’re able to create flourishing environments for all children.”
With that kind of a reputation for excellence, when Drew Gase and Grace Miller were named Top 4-H members for 2025 during Wednesday’s Celebration of 4-H Achievement night, they were stunned. They knew their peers had worked just as hard and were just as likely to have been chosen.
For Drew, an 11-year member of the Prime Cut Kids 4-H Club, the award was especially meaningful. “I honestly thought about not doing 4-H this year,” he said, after starting his freshman year at Ohio State University in the fall.
He knew he still wanted to be at the fair this year, and couldn’t imagine being at the fair and not being in 4-H. In the end, he participated as much this year as every year.
“I put a lot of work into this organization over the years, just like all of these people that are around me, he said. “Winning the honor is a great feeling.”
Drew was president of his club and a dedicated leader through his roles on the Wood County Junior Fair Board, 4-H Camp counselor, Leadership Board and CARTEENS volunteer. His most meaningful 4-H experience has been learning the value of community service, especially helping the elderly through hands-on volunteer work and leadership opportunities. At Ohio State, he is majoring in turfgrass science and is active in the Turf Club and Agribusiness Club. He plans to pursue a career as a golf course superintendent or sports turn manager.
Grace, a nine-year member of Duke’s Mixture 4-H Club, was not expecting to win the Top 4-H Member. The junior at Bowling Green Christian Academy, has dedicated many hours to service and leadership, including president of BGCA’s National Honor Society, and involvement in student council, Youth4Ethics and community service projects.
“I know all the hours I’ve put in to service, but it never registered with me until this recognition,” she said. “I’ve come so far, from being introverted when I never talked to anyone to being active in 4-H and leadership roles.”
She credits 4-H and the people who have supported her over the years including the educators, her grandparents, mother and friends.
Her most meaningful 4-H experience was attending Buckeye Leadership Workshop, where she stepped out of her comfort zone, led songs and dances, and built lasting connections with other 4-H’ers from across the region. Grace plans to study political science or English at Hillsdale College and pursue a career in agricultural law.
Drew and Grace were also named to the 2025 Wood County 4-H Honor Court. Additional members who were selected to serve on the Honor Court are Sara Britton, an 11-year member and current president of the Leaders of Tomorrow 4-H Club; Wesley Kellermeier, a 10-year member and current vice president of the Blue Ribbon Rangers 4-H Club; Carter Lampe, a nine-year member of Simply Stock 4-H Club; Dakota Rader-King, a nine-year member and current president of Country Paws 4-H Club; Henry Strow, a 10-year member of Leaders of Tomorrow 4-H Club; and Morgan Wiechman, a nine year member and current president of Beaver Creek Boosters 4-H Club.
“The 4-H Honor Court recognizes eight superb 4-H members for their achievements, dedication, and growth in the 4-H program,” said Rylie Kregel, a 2024 Honor Court member who helped introduce this year’s recipients.
The new members have taken every opportunity to “make the best better for future leaders,” she said. “Their project work is diverse, some have spoken to stakeholders to showcase the 4-H mission, and some have become members of the Ohio 4-H Leadership Council.”
Each of the Honor Court awardees have demonstrated that 4-H improved their lives and provided future opportunities they never imagined, she said. A $750 award is presented to the Honor Court members and $1,000 is awarded to the two Top 4-H honorees.
Sara has served as a 4-H Camp counselor, livestock judging team member and Junior Fair Board Representative, where she has been a dedicated leader and mentor. She has excelled in a wide range of projects from beef and hogs to quilting and cake decorating. Her most meaningful 4-H experience has been helping younger members succeed—leasing calves, mentoring in showmanship, and watching first-year exhibitors place in the top five. A junior at Otsego High School, Sara is active in FFA, FCCLA, student council, and athletics, and plans to pursue a career in agriculture or animal science, specializing in beef cattle management and education.
Wesley has been deeply involved in 4-H as Junior Fair Board vice president, CARTEENS volunteer, camp counselor, and Leadership Board member. He earned multiple honors, including the Spirit of 4-H Leadership Award, Project Excellence Awards, and the Darrel Hentges Good Sportsmanship Award. His most meaningful 4-H experience has been serving as a camp counselor, where he developed leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. A senior at Otsego High School, Wesley is a National Honor Society member, multi-sport athlete, and active member in FFA and his church. He plans to follow in his father’s footsteps by joining the family business at Kellermeier Plumbing and Heating.
Carter has been a dedicated leader in 4-H and FFA, who served as a camp counselor, Junior Fair Board member and livestock judging team participant. He has earned numerous honors, including the Premier Livestock Interview Award and multiple champion titles at the fair. His most meaningful 4-H experience was serving as a camp counselor, where he developed leadership, organization and team-building skills. He is a recent graduate of Otsego High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete, FFA president and National Honor Society member. He will begin his livestock judging career this fall at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois, where he will pursue a degree in animal science with plans to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Dakota has held multiple leadership roles, including Junior Fair Board member, camp counselor, and Midnight Madness staff. Serving as a camp counselor, she learned the value of patience, responsibility and leading by example. She is a recent graduate of Elmwood High School, where she was a varsity softball captain, FFA student adviser, and active in several school and community service groups. She plans to pursue a degree in nursing with the goal of becoming a certified surgical nurse.
Henry, a recent graduate of Bowling Green High School, has been a dedicated camp counselor, Junior Fair Board member and woodworking and cattle exhibitor. He served as Dairy Department chair, helped plan the 50th anniversary of 4-H Camp Palmer and represented his club on the 2023 Wood County Junior Fair Court. His time as a camp counselor was his most meaningful 4-H experience, where he developed confidence, leadership and communication skills and overcame personal challenges with the help and encouragement of his peers. He plans to pursue a career in construction and continue his family’s farming legacy.
Morgan has taken on many leadership roles, including Junior Fair Board member, camp counselor, and mentor group leader, while excelling in a wide range of projects from rabbits and poultry to sewing and nutrition. Her most meaningful 4-H experience has been developing a strong work ethic through friendly competition with her sister, which pushed her to study harder and strive for excellence. A junior at Port Clinton High School, Morgan is a decorated athlete in cross country, swimming and track, and plans to pursue a degree in exercise science with the goal of becoming a collegiate coach.
Celebrating 1st place judging winners and Cloverbuds
The 4-H event also celebrated the graduation of 4-H Cloverbuds who are ready to become full-fledged 4-H members next year. Of the 94 Wood County youths who finished second grade and their time as 4-H Cloverbuds, a couple dozen of them participated in the Cloverbud graduation and moving up ceremony.
They donned 4-H green graduation caps and were escorted by junior fair leaders to the stage, where they received a certificate of completion, a medal and congratulations from members of the Portage Center Arbor #524 Gleaners, who sponsored the Cloverbud ceremony.
Also during the ceremony, 4-H’ers who earned first-place honors in their county judging were recognized and congratulated.
