On Friday, March 6th, I attended the 2026 Union County 4-H Achievement Night, an annual evening dedicated to celebrating the hard work, growth, and accomplishments of 4-H youth and volunteers across the county. It was a night full of recognition, community, and a lot of well-deserved applause.
"Celebrating the hard work, growth, and accomplishments of our Union County 4-H youth and volunteers." — Union County 4-H
A Night of Recognition
Achievement Night is one of the highlights of the 4-H calendar year. It's the moment where everything you've worked on throughout the year, including projects, presentations, competitions, community service, and leadership, gets acknowledged in front of family, fellow members, and the broader 4-H community.
Members were recognized for achievements across a wide range of project areas, from STEM and agriculture to public speaking and citizenship. It's always motivating to see the range of things people accomplish when given the support and structure that 4-H provides.
Celebrating Volunteers
One of the things that stood out to me most was how much time was devoted to recognizing the volunteers who make 4-H possible. Club leaders, project leaders, and community supporters were honored for their dedication. Without them, none of the programs, events, or opportunities that 4-H members experience would exist. It is meaningful that they get a moment in the spotlight too.
Looking Back, Looking Forward
Nights like Achievement Night are a good reminder of why showing up matters. Every project submitted, every presentation given, every hour volunteered adds up. Seeing the cumulative work of an entire county's 4-H community in one room is genuinely inspiring.
As I head into the rest of the year, I'm motivated to keep pushing forward with my own projects and to take on more leadership within the district. Achievement Night is a great reset, a moment to reflect on what you've done and set your sights on what's next.
Congratulations to every 4-H member and volunteer recognized this year. The hard work shows.