Gold Star Award – Senior Level Award
GOLD STAR AWARD GUIDELINES
Minimum Criteria
The Gold Star is the highest 4-H award at the county level therefore recipients will meet all criteria so the quality of the award can be maintained. The following criteria will be considered the minimum. Any 4-H member not meeting these criteria will not be considered for the award. The organization may choose not to award the Gold Star if there are not 4-H members in the county who actually exceed the minimum criteria. The maximum number of Gold Star recipients in Brazoria County will not exceed four (4). The Gold Star can be won only one time.The purpose is to recognize outstanding achievement, leadership and contribution to the county 4-H program, as well as stimulate Gold Star winners to further achievements and encourage others to participate in the county 4-H program.This is the highest county award provided by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
Criteria for Selection:
A. The 4-H member must be at least 15 years of age but not over 19 years of age as of August 31 of the current 4-H year and have completed at least three (3) years in 4-H including the current year.
B. The 4-H member must submit an Awards Program Record Book for county competition in the year the 4-Her is to be considered for the Gold Star Award showing at least three (3) years of 4-H experience. An application for the award must be completed and returned to the Brazoria County Extension Office on the same date as Record Books. There will be no exceptions. The application should be paper clipped to the outside front cover of the Record Books.
C. Project Activities during the 4-Hers’ years in 4-H, the member must have:
- Completed projects in three (3) different project areas that are detailed in the Record Book.
- Participated in and completed one or more activities in at least three (3) of the following areas in the current year.
a. Educational Presentation
b. Contests
c. Project Exhibits
d. Camps
e. Leadership Lab
f. Citizenship Activities
g. Public Relations-Examples: demonstrations, speeches, poster displays, club exhibits, project shows, radio, TV, newspapers, special projects
h. Other (may include fund raising, State and National Congress, etc.)
i. Project activities
D. Leadership – During the applicant’s years in 4-H, the 4-H member must have done the following:
- Served as an officer or committee chairman at some level of the 4-H organization club, county, district, state and/or
- Served as teen leader in an activity or project with, or under the supervision of an adult volunteer leader.
E. Community Service, Citizenship, Character – The 4-H member must have participated in one or more community service activities such as:
- Working or counseling with 4-H members
- Communities Service projects, either individual, group or club type projects, contributions to school, church and community.
- Must have motivated other 4-H members through participation in demonstrations, projects and/or exhibits.
- Character should include attitude and personal growth in accepting responsibilities and serving others.
Selection Procedures
The Brazoria County Adult Leaders will review and screen the applications for Gold Star Award before they are judged.
All applicants will be interviewed by a panel of two (2) judges. The panel will be selected from former Gold Star Winners, 4-H Leaders and/or County Extension Agents. Brazoria County 4-H Extension Agents, Leaders, Parents, or other Relatives will not be eligible to judge. The interviews will be conducted in the Extension Office or in a specified location.
No makeup interviews will be given unless prior approval has been received by the Brazoria County Adult Leaders to allow for a taped interview.
The Gold Star recipient(s) will be awarded a Gold Star Belt Buckle.
