It was a successful event for Sanders County 4-H club members, with two members qualifying for the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta in August, based on their strong showing at the recent Montana 4-H Congress meeting. 

Cody Hafner finished first in the Illustrated Talk category of the Congress’s annual event held recently at Montana State University in Bozeman. He will be joined in Atlanta by Claire Wrobleski, who earned the trip via her third place showing in the same category. 

Also advancing in the national competition is the First-Placed Hippology Team from Sanders County, which qualified for the Western Round-up in Denver this January. 

Members of the Hippology (study of horses) Team are Madison Chjonacky, Mackenzie Tulloch, Hannah Warnes and Lina Sturman, along with their coach, Wendy Carr. 

The Bozeman gathering attracted over 190 members from across Montana.  The meeting is an annual event that features competitive events, workshops, entertainment and social events. 

As the youth development program of the MSU Extension program, the state 4-H reaches more than 17,000 Montana youth each year and is supported by more than 3,000 volunteers. 

Brett Schomer, a Montana 4-H leadership specialist, said the state Congress has become one of the largest 4-H events. 

“The Congress provides members with an in-depth educational experience and an opportunity to explore the MSU campus,” Schomer said. “Our youth network with other members across the state and gain exposure to career pathways by interacting with MSU faculty and staff”. 

Schomer also had high praise for the more than 30 volunteers who helped with this year’s Congress. 

“Our volunteers make Montana 4-H Congress a success year after year,” he said.  

Other Sanders County delegates and how they fared in this year’s competition were: 

Kara Christensen, third in Prepared Speech; Jayden Cook, third, Stir-Ups competition; Mikiah Cook, Illustrated Talk; Melodie Cook, Illustrated Talk; Sage Doble, Andrew Wrobleski, Aida Feiro and Daniel Warnes.  All were County Ambassadors to this year’s Congress. 

Sanders County results:

Kara Christensen – 3rd Place Prepared Speech

Cody Hafner – 1st Place Illustrated Talk (qualifies to attend National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, GA in November)

Claire Wrobleski – 3rd Place Illustrated Talk (qualifies to attend National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, GA in November)

Jayden Cook – 3rd Place Stir-Ups Contest

First Place Hippology Team (qualifies to attend National Western Round-Up in Denver in January to compete)

Madison Chjonacky

Mackenzie Tulloch

Hannah Warnes

Lina Sturman (from Lake County 4-H)

Coach Wendy Carr

County Ambassadors

Mikiah Cook – Competed in Illustrated Talk

Melodie Cook – Competed in Illustrated Talk

Sage Doble

Andrew Wrobleski

Alida  Feiro

Daniel Warnes

    Cody Hafner finished first in the Illustrated Talk category at the Montana 4-H Congress in Bozeman last week and earned a trip to Atlanta for the National 4-H Congress in August. (Photo courtesy of MSU Extension)