The Pulaski County 4-H program notes that “with all the activities young people are involved in today, a 10-year commitment to the 4-H program is a real accomplishment and one the youth should be proud of.”

2024 4-H Tenure Members & Last-Year Members

10-Year Members:

Robby Bettcher V	Austin Bolen	Maddox Bucinski
Aiden Day	Mason Istre	Ashlynn Jennings
Raegan Kasten	Evelyn Libey	Brooklyn Mellon
Karl Podell	Aidan Smith
Talan Braun	Kaden Burns	Anna Jones
Taylee Ringen	Alexa Schultz

Robby Bettcher V is the son of Rob and Kira Bettcher and a 10-year member of the Paw Prints 4-H Club. He plans to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints after which he will pursue further education at Brigham Young University. His favorite memories of 4-H are participating in LEGO projects and seeing all of the dogs at the Paw Prints meetings. The funniest thing that has happened to him is that every year, his dog (Buster) made a big deal of stretching in the show ring before recalling. His hobbies include: hunting, hiking, weight lifting and physical fitness. Paw Prints Club is his favorite project because he gets to see all of his friends and play with all the other dogs. His advice to younger 4-H members: Make sure you choose a project that you’re interested in; it helps you have the motivation to do it. The skills he has acquired in 4-H will enable him to train all of his future pups.

Austin Bolen is the son of Angela and Charlie Bolen. He is a 10-year member of the Salem Superstars club. His favorite project is Do Your Own Thing because he can make things with metal. One of his hobbies is metalworking. His advice for younger 4-H’ers is to stick with it and try new things. His favorite memories of 4-H are getting grand and reserve grand champion on his photography project. His plans for the future are to attend the University of Northwestern Ohio to study diesel mechanics.

Maddox Bucinski is the son of Joe and Brandi Bucinski. He is a 10-year member of Harrison Hustlers 4-H club. His favorite project was Models, because there is so much freedom to create what you want. His advice for younger 4-H’ers is to pick projects you’re interested in, and don’t wait until the last few weeks to do them. His favorite memories of 4-H are all from the 4-H Olympics/Battle of the Barns and spending time with friends at the fair. His future plans are to attend Manchester University to play football and baseball. After college he plans to be a pilot in the Air Force. The skills he has acquired in 4-H will help him with his teamwork and time management skills.

Aiden Day is the son of Barry and Lyn Day. He is a 10-year member of the Harrison Hustlers 4-H club. His favorite project is ducks, because it is very easy and you can make a lot of money. His advice for a younger 4-H’er is to enjoy it, because it goes by fast. His future plans are to become an Indiana State Trooper. The responsibility he has learned through 4-H will serve him well in the future.

Mason Istre, son of Jennifer Istre and the late Fagon Istre, is a 10-year member of the Salem Superstars 4-H Club. He plans to go to college to pursue degrees in both computer science and political science. His favorite memories of 4-H are all centered around interacting with old friends that he had not seen in a while. The funniest thing that happened to him during his time in 4-H was when he broke his arm and could not put on the clothing item he made for the sewing category. His hobbies, which include participating in the school’s robotics team, science research team, academic bowl team, cross country and climbing club, embody the characteristics and skills that are reflected in his choice of favorite 4-H project: building an electric skateboard, because it pushed him to engage in avenues of STEM that he had not previously encountered. His advice to younger 4-H’ers is to not procrastinate on their projects. His time in 4-H has allowed him to develop computer and electric skills that he intends to apply in his academic pursuits.

Ashlynn Jennings is the daughter of Shelley and Lee Jennings. She is a 10-year member of the Franklin Farmers 4-H club. Her favorite project is Home Environment because it gives her the chance to give an antique a new beginning along with a challenging process. Her advice for younger 4-H’ers is that what you put into your work is what you’ll get out of it, so continue to work hard on everything that you pursue in the future. She plans to attend Purdue University as a part of their exploratory studies program before declaring a major. The skills she has learned in 4-H will help her with a sense of independence and putting in the hard work that college brings.

Raegan Kasten is the daughter of Shay Kasten and Lyndsey Ball. She is a 10-year member of the Monroe Happy Hoosiers club. Her future plans are to attend Ball State University to study psychology. Her advice to a younger 4-H’er is to join young! You will regret the time you miss out on joining. Her favorite project is sheep because she got to spend time with her family working on this project. The greatest honor she has received is grand champion ewe. The skills she has learned from 4-H have taught her that team work and work ethic go a long way, and that to get good results you have to put the work in.

Evelyn Libey, is the daughter of Morgan and Jessica Libey and is a 10-year member of the Salem Superstars. Her future plans include attending the University of Southern Indiana to major in exercise science and pre-occupational therapy. Her favorite 4-H memory is participating in the games at the nursing home. Her hobbies involve painting, crafting and hanging out with friends. Her favorite project was Arts & Crafts because she could show off her paintings. She advises younger 4-H’ers, “Don’t be afraid to speak up at meetings.” The skills she has learned during her time in 4-H will all be combined to better and prepare herself for her future

Brooklyn Mellon is the daughter of Tyson and Jennifer Mellon and is a 10-year member of the Salem Superstars. Her future plans are to attend Purdue University as a pharmacy student. Her favorite memories include playing BINGO and other games with the residents at Parkview Haven before some of their club meetings. The funniest thing that happened to her in 4-H was when her cupcakes melted the night before judging; she never took cupcake decorating again. The hobbies she enjoys include reading, going to movies, and hanging out with friends. Her favorite project is books, because she loves writing and talking about things she’s read. The greatest 4-H honor that she’s received is getting a blue ribbon with special merit at the State Fair in 2018 for Foods: Preserved. She would advise a younger 4-H’er, “Don’t wait until the night before judging to finish your projects!” The skills she has acquired during 4-H are practical – as she cooks for herself in college, she will make use of the recipes and heathy eating habits that Foods have taught her.

Karl Podell is the son of Randy and Rosetta Podell and is a 10-year member of Shooting Sports. His future plans include attending UNOH for a career in diesel technology. His favorite 4-H memory is participating in shooting sports activities. The funniest thing that happened to him in 4-H was chasing his 4-H starter calf when it jumped out of its pen and had to ask several people for help. His hobbies include racing-circle track. He advises younger 4-H’ers, “Don’t name your animals if you are taking them to auction.” The skills he has acquired during 4-H is knowing how to meet deadlines.

Aidan Smith is the son of Doug and Amy Smith and is a 10-year member of the Monroe 76’ers. His future plans are to attend IU Indianapolis and major in computer science and engineering. His favorite memory from 4-H was going to 4-H camp and meeting new people. The funniest thing that happened to him in 4-H was when he went to bathe his ducks before show and they were scared of the water. His advice for a younger 4-H’er is to try new projects, because you may be surprised at what you actually enjoy, and to start your projects early. The greatest honor he has received was Pulaski County Achievement Royalty and the Green Leaf Bright Future award. The skills he has learned in 4-H will help improve his organization, independence, success and love of learning.

Those Completing Last Year in 4-H:

Those in their last year of 4-H, but who have completed less than 10 years in the program, are also being recognized. They are listed below.

Talan Braun is the son of Brittni Bierrum and Jonnie Kasten. He is a ninth-year member of the Monroe Happy Hoosiers 4-H club. His favorite project is swine because he feels as though he has mastered it. His hobbies include golf and hanging out with friends. His advice for younger 4-Hers is that time flies, so enjoy it. His favorite memories of 4-H include spending time with friends and family while working as a team to accomplish a goal. His future plans are to attend Ball State University and study marketing and economics. He has learned many skills in 4-H that will aid him in the future, but he hopes not to have to use his pig wrestling skills.

Reese Brown (not pictured), daughter of Christi Brown, is a seventh-year member of the Harrison Hustlers 4-H club.

Kaden Burns is the son of Heather and Martin Burns. He is a second-year member of the Harrison Hustlers 4-H club. His favorite 4-H memory is trying to explain what he had brought to the Judge for the “Do Your Own Thing” category. He brought two necklaces that looked weird and he attempted to describe his weird methods of making them. His favorite project was the rock necklace he made for “Do Your Own Thing” category. His greatest honor was receiving Reserve Grand Champion for his rock necklace. His advice to younger 4-H’ers is to challenge yourself. The skills he has learned in 4-H have inspired him to work hard and do his best.

Anna Jones is the daughter of Marty and Tracy Jones. She is a fourth-year member of the Harrison Hustlers 4-H club. Her favorite memories of 4-H are whenever they wash the pigs, because it always turns into a water fight. Her advice for younger 4-H’ers is “Don’t be afraid to do something. If you want to try it, do it!” Her favorite project is cake decorating, and her hobby is shopping. Her future plans are to attend Ivy Tech and major in nursing. The skills she has learned in 4-H will aid her in gaining more responsibility.

John Malchow (not pictured) is the son of Lisa and Doug Malchow. He is a ninth-year member of the Harrison Hustlers 4-H club.

Luke Malchow (not pictured), is the son of Mike and Stephanie Malchow. His favorite memory from 4-H is winning third overall barrow in 2015. His hobbies include hunting and fishing, and his favorite project is swine. His advice for younger 4-H’ers is to stay with it and work hard. His plans for the future are to go to trade school and become a pipeline welder at NIPSCO. The skills he has acquired from 4-H will help him in the future through teaching him how to have a good work ethic.

Taylee Ringen is the daughter of Brandi and Stacy Ringen and is in her final year as a member of the Tippecanoe Industrious 4-H Club. Her future plans include continuing on as the assistant manager for Greenbridge Horse Farm; she is still deciding on college. Her favorite memories include meeting all of her friends through 4-H and naming all of her animals each year based on a different theme (this year is Las Vegas, and the chipmunks). Her favorite project is Dairy Heifers because they are easy, well-tempered, and a lot of fun to show. Her greatest honors have been her 2022 Ultimate Showman buckle and being on the 4-H Royalty Court last year. Her advice to younger 4-H’ers: That the word “impossible” is just an excuse for people not to try, because everything is possible. So, in order to succeed, you’ve got to put in the effort it takes. You got this! The skills she’s acquired in 4-H have taught her a lot about raising livestock, something she will be able to use in the future.

Alexa Schultz is the daughter of Estie and Gary Schultz. She is a sixth-year member of Beaver Township 4-H club. Her favorite project is dogs because the club has the best community surrounding it. The funniest thing that happened to her in 4-H was when she had to work the Pork Shack while the fair was flooded. Her advice for younger 4-H’ers is to always put your best foot forward. Her future plans are to attend Purdue University for general management. The skills she has learned in 4-H will serve her well as she demonstrates the hard work and dedication she learned through college.