Melissa Koch said Sunday, “Coming to the banquet today, it felt like a family reunion.”

That’s how the third-year Mower County Extension Service 4-H program coordinator reacted to the 2008 Mower County 4-H Recognition banquet held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Auditorium in Adams.

Families basked in the shared spotlight of the accomplishments of the youths after a year of 4-H activities.

4-H is Mower County’s largest youth organization with more than 500 members.

Katie Subra, daughter of Bob and Gail Subra, rural Austin, emerged the big winner.

Subra took home top honors for “Outstanding Sheep Member,” the Harlow Sayles Memorial Award and shared a Key Award with her sister, Jenny, and Adam Hendrickson.

Jenny Subra, 2008-09 advisory board president, and Jacob Holst, vice president, served as masters of ceremonies. Jacob Hanson, a 4-H ambassador, gave the invocation.

The awards ran the gamut of 4-H activity. From neat and complete record-keeping to 4-H graduates (those teenagers reaching the age limit of participation) to livestock herdsmanship (the Sargeant Busy Bees kept the cleanest barns during the 2008 Mower County Fair) among other honors.

The Enterprise 4-H club was named the outstanding club in 2008. The Enterprise club observed its 75th anniversary at the 2008 Mower County Fair.

Adult leaders were recognized upon reaching milestones of five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years.

Gayle Perkins was honored upon reaching the Diamond Clover level for 20 years of services.

Mary Lammers was honored for reaching the Emerald Clover level of 25 years.

“Just working with the youths makes it a very rewarding experience,” is Perkins’ satisfaction. “Hopefully, they learn from it.”

“Just seeing the growth and maturity in the kids to adulthood is a pleasure,” she added.

The Mower County Master Gardener program received the Business Friend of 4-H award.

The Lloyd and Lori Amick family, including Amanda and Tyler, received the “Individual Friend of 4-H” award.

“4-H is all volunteers — people helping the kids,” Lloyd Amick said.

Lori Amick is an eight-year veteran Enterprise 4-H club adult leader.

The Amicks’ daughter, Amanda, is a 4-H graduate and Tyler, 12, is still an active member.

“I like being with friends in 4-H,” Tyler said. “Basically most of my friends are in 4-H.”

Gayle Perkins and Al Mandt received Honorary Leaders awards.

Emily Ulland received the “Grass, Lunning, Nelson Outstanding Livestock Exhibitor” award.

Lucas Schaefer received the “Don Sorenson Memorial Outstanding Beef Exhibitor” award.

Paul Blanchard received the “Tony Burke Memorial Outstanding 4-H Swine Exhibitor” award.

Nicole Jax and Jacob Koenigs shared the “I Dare You Leadership” award.

4-H scholarships were awarded to Katie Subra, Crystal Stundahl, Heather Sheely and Emily Ulland.

The annual recognition was moved from its traditional Friday night of the Minnesota Education Association convention weekend to a Sunday afternoon for the first time in its history.

To be sure, attendance was down on the Sunday afternoon complicated by harvest work for farm families and a Minnesota Vikings football game against arch-rival, Chicago.

The Mower County 4-H Ambassadors enlivened the proceedings with a series of games and skits for the attendees.

The Women of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, assisted by men, served a baked ham dinner to all.

The event concludes the 4-H year that included the Mower County Fair in August and the Minnesota State Fair in September.