Murray County 4-H hosted their annual awards banquet on January 11, 2026 at the Murray County 4-H building. The Currie Poco-a-Poco Club hosted the event with an Italian-themed pasta bar.
Murray County 4-H Youth were honored for outstanding fundraising, leadership, record keeping, and years of involvement in the program. Volunteers were recognized for years of service and dedication to the youth development program.
Highlighted awards for the evening: Outstanding Ambassador – Aiden and Tyler York, Murray County 4-H Scholarships – Taylor Larson, Kaitlin Gleis, Sophia Nelson, Erin Klein, and MaryAnn Pagel. The Ignite Your Spark Award was presented to Clara Pagel. Federation Officers for the 2025-2026 were inducted, including President Erica Doeden, Vice President Wesley Hause, Secretary Emma Risacher, Social Media Director Sofia Nelson, and officers at Large Edwin Nepp and Oliver Pagel. People’s Choice Photography Awards were presented to 1st Place Ainsley Piekse, 2nd Place Hailey Peschges, and 3rd Place Renee Reith.
More than 140 youth were recognized for outstanding fundraising. Records were completed by Isabela Schreier.
The Friend of 4-H was presented to Brad Pagel. Years of volunteering were celebrated with 20 years for Suzanne Bau, Dawn Mouw, and Don Van Eck, 25 years for Stacy Posthuma, and 40 years for Janet Opdahl.
