(Juneau) An area youth was recognized at a recent Dodge County Board meeting for their work in the 4-H program. Kathryn Witzel of Columbus is the 2022 recipient of the Wisconsin 4-H Key Award.
The Key Award, one of the highest recognitions a 4-H member can receive, honors a select group of participants annually. Those who receive the award are ones who have demonstrated consistent growth in their 4-H involvement, developed and applied their leadership skills, and actively participated in their club and community.
Dodge County’s 4-H Youth Development Educator Maria Witzel says Kathryn is in her 13th year with the program.
“Katy decided to complete her CDL this fall at the diesel driver school in Sun Prairie…she currently works for Caine Transport,” says Witzel. “Katy is involved in the Astico Perseverance 4-H Club. Has been involved in the horse, sheep, swine, dogs, archery, leathercraft, and youth leadership programs.”
Kathryn Witzel says her time in 4-H taught her one skill that she was not ready to learn as a kid: get up in front of a crowd and speak.
“For public speaking I’ve gone down to Louisville, Kentucky and Columbus, Ohio to compete at the national level in 4-H,” says Witzel. “Recently at Louisville, Kentucky I managed to take home a top ten at the national level. Public speaking is a very important skill for life and a lot of people stress that when you’re going through organizations. They say public speaking is the number one fear of all Americans, and I can agree that this is true.”
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau has been sponsoring the Wisconsin 4-H Key Award Program for over 40 years, having started their support in 1974. Over the years, 4-H youth in every county have received special Key Award recognition. Kathryn Witzel received a plaque to recognize her achievements.
