Leddie Leech named Gold Star winner
By Sam Waller
Albany’s Leddie Leech was among 24 youth and 13 adults honored during the District 7 4-H Gold Star and Silver Clover Banquet.
The banquet was held Monday, Oct. 24 at the Bill Franklin Center in Coleman.
Leech received the Gold Star Award, the highest honor given by AgriLife Extension to 4-H youth on the county level. The Silver Clover is a special district level recognition given to outstanding adult leaders that contribute a great deal to their local 4-H program.
“Youth recipients were picked based on their personal development, leadership, and achievement in 4-H projects, and on activities and contributions made to the 4-H program,” said Garry Branham, AgriLife Extension 4-H specialist at San Angelo.
Leech, a senior at Albany High School, serves as second vice president for Shackelford County 4-H. She is also active in FFA and on the tennis team.
“The Gold Star nomination has some requirements, but it’s essentially up to the discretion of county agents and 4-H leaders,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “It is awarded for one year, but I like to look at it as an overall achievement award.”
The Gold Star Award was first presented in 1933. The award was prompted by an effort to recognize the people who did the work rather than county agents, according to the Texas 4-H website.
Recipients must be at least in ninth grade and in their third year of 4-H membership. The 4-H member must have completed projects in three or more different project areas, submitted appropriate record forms, and participated in one or more activities in at least three areas such as projects, leadership experience, competitive events, citizenship activities, and camps.
Another eligibility requirement is the submission of a 4-H record book for the year the candidate is to be considered for the award. Leech’s record book was for goats.
“Leddie shows great leadership in everything she does and is very involved in the community,” Bell said. “Even with her incredibly busy schedule, she still manages to show leadership in 4-H. We’re lucky to have her and she was definitely deserving.”
