Donald Teuma-Castelletti
SHAWVILLE Nov. 17, 2018
This year proved a busy one for the Shawville 4-H Club, as the annual awards banquet celebrated the many activities, accomplishments and newcomers to the group on Saturday night.
Between plenty of barnyard-themed comedy, the president’s retrospective, as well as the trophies and plaques distributed, the 2018 banquet at the Jack Graham Community Centre proved the fitting bow to tie together another season.
After the group had filled their plates – enjoying the abundance of a potluck, plus pizza from Billy T’s – the evening got down to business. President Rebecca Nugent shared her year-end address, looking back on the season’s many activities, including participation in the Canada Day parade, running the 4-H booth, square dancing, attending Saunder’s Farm, and attending the provincial rally in Lachute.
A total of nine Shawville members attended the rally, showing in the dairy, beef, and poultry categories.
“Many new friends and memories were made at this year’s rally,” she said.
She also spoke to the fun had during the Innovative Ag Tour, hosted in Sawyerville, Que., where Nugent, Alex Mayhew, and Amy Sheppard attended on behalf of the Shawville club.
“On the last night of the tour, at the banquet, the Shawville trio got up in front of over 30 people and sang ‘Bring Down the House’ by Dean Brody,” said Nugent. “Shawville was well-represented at the ag tour.”
Of course, she also spoke to the fun and success of participating in the Shawville Fair, from preparing for and showing at, through bringing new items to the menu at their booth.
Finally, Nugent took the time to thank everyone that’s helped their club continue to succeed, from those helping run the booth to those hosting meetings, the many who educated the group, and everyone that’s donated to their efforts.
Before rounding out her speech, Nugent took the time to list off next year’s executive. Bradley Dubeau will be president, with Nugent taking over vice presidential duties and Rebecca Hamilton becoming secretary. The treasurer will be James Orr, and Sheppard will be the new press reporter.
After, Overall Leader Tyler McCann took the stage before the awards were doled out. He thanked all leaders for helping out this year, as well as the parent volunteers for their dedication to the club’s efforts.
“Being in 4-H you’ve got lots of friends and lots of supporters,” said McCann. “The friends of the Shawville 4-H Club … understand how important it is and how many bodies you need to keep everything moving. You know, it wouldn’t be possible without all of those friends and the Shawville 4-H Club has got a lot of them.”
He also praised the current group of executives and teenagers in the club, expressing his pride in the club as he can look forward to those same people leading his own children one day.
“I’m really happy, I feel really good knowing that as [my daughter] grows up through 4-H, her role models are going to be the 4-H members who are in this room today,” said McCann.
He and Nugent then handed out certificates and pins to the first-year members who were present.
From there, the rest of the evening saw nearly 40 awards distributed from the results of the Shawville Fair. Nugent took home many, including the Quebec Farmer’s Association’s Champion Dairy Showperson award, the Dannan Holsteins Grand Champion Holstein Heifer award, the Ronald MacKechnie Champion Cattle Showperson award and the Dalton Hodgins Dairy Judging award.
Thomas Beck and Mayhew shared the title for the H.I. Hobbs & Sons Beef Judging award, while Rebecca Hamilton and Will Orr were named top judges. Laura Mayhew took the prize for the H.I. Hobbs & Sons High Junior Aggregate award and Tyler Tubman claimed the Norval Horner High Aggregate award.
As well, Sofie Moffatt took home the prize for Most Improved Square Dance, while Peneloppe Lamontagne achieved Most Improved Member. Also, Payton St-Pierre and Felix Vereyken shared the prize for Most Outstanding First Year Member.