OKEECHOBEE – Okeechobee County 4-H presented the Friend of 4-H Award to Dr. Kerry McGehee at the Oct. 9 4-H banquet at the Scott Driver Recreation Area.

The Okeechobee Friend of 4-H Award was established in 1989. Each year, the award honors persons or organizations that have gone above and beyond to provide resources, time and expertise to the 4-Hers of Okeechobee County.

4-H club members nominate community members for this award.

When members and volunteers shared why they chose McGehee as their Okeechobee Friend of 4-H, they noted “he is always willing to teach a child or an adult,” and he is “always helping kids with projects and not usually charging for his services.” Others shared Dr. McGehee has supported 4-H with his “time, experience and expertise.”

“He takes the time to make sure the kids understand what is going on with their animal and is super patient,” another commented.

The banquet included a variety of awards to 4-H members as well as recognition of volunteers and adult leaders.

The Rudy Suchel Spirit of Volunteerism Award was awarded “in memory of one of the best volunteers Okeechobee County was every blessed with” to Gracie Ceballos, Jenna Larson, J.W. Bass, Cameron Williams, Karen Rowley, Mason Boney, Carley Bartels, Rylie Tucker, Andrew King and Tess D’Ariano.

4-H members who earned County Achievement Awards are Danielle Chesser, Addison Wetherington, Tatum Bickel, Jayce Rodriguez, Lacey Campbell, Chase Stinson, Lexi Bishop, Ryleigh Carter, Kathryn MontesDeOca, Clayte Davis, Alyssa Cortez, J.W. Bass, Emily Hilderbrand, Reese Cohen, Lilly Larson, Oliva Wherrell and Jenna Larson.

4-H members who earned County Agriculture Awards are Denny Baughman, Josh Larson, Cayson Lowe, Aubriegh Bass, Carson Broadrick, Cassie Palmer, Wyatt Hazellief, J.W. Bass, Aiden Holmes, Jenna Larson, Hannah Butler, Luke Larson and Adrianna Blanco.

4-H members who earned Citizenship Awards are Clayte Davis, Jase Claxton, Kailey Raulerson, Carly Claxton, Adrianna Baughman, Carley Bartels, Hannah Butler, Riley Tucker, Reese Cohen, Ben Vedder, Tess D’Ariano, Cameron Williams, Cayson Jarriel, Gracie Ceballos and Cooper Wherrell.

4-H members who earned Leadership awards are Hannah Butler, Jenna Larson, Kaitlyn Brewer, Haylee Pendry, Conner Mehrer, Mason Boney, Vanessa Johnson, Taylor McCranie, Karen Rowley, Reese Cohen, Aiden Scalf, Rocca Cohen and Ryleigh Carter.