Two Bridgewater Residents Honored as Outstanding 4-H Members

Two Bridgewater residents were among seven people honored as 2013 Oustanding 4-H’ers of Somerset County.

Honored at a special reception at the July 17 4-H Association meeting were Melissa Smutko and Jennifer Versfelt of Bridgewater.

Also honored were CarolAnne Bekus, Brianna Glowinski and Kristen Obermeier of Hillsborough and Daniel Peterson of Middlesex.

Ernest Hall of Raritan and Debra Johnson of Skillman were recognized as the Somerset County Outstanding Alumni for 2013 for their outstanding service and dedication to the 4-H program, both in their youth and as adult volunteers.

Melissa, who was born into 4-H, has participated in cooking and sewing, small animal and Double Dutch jump rope clubs.  She was a founding member of the Double Dutch club, and plans to become a junior leader next year.

Melissa has been a volunteer camp counselor at the 4-H TOPS camp, and also volunteered at 4-H Science-sational Day and the 4-H Fair.  She was a Somerset County 4-H representative to Citizenship Washington Focus, a national 4-H leadership opportunity.

In addition, Melissa is a teen leader in the BIG Basket Auction.

Jennifer has spent six years in both the 4-H’s Pawsabilities and Gingersnaps. She is currently the club president of Pawsabilities and has played an important role in updating the club constitution and planning and running the club’s dog shows and fundraisers.

She was the Somerset County 4-H Health Ambassador for four years. Jennifer works with the youngest campers at TOPS Camp where she uses her boundless energy and people skills to create a positive rapport with her fellow counselors and campers and she serves as a role model for younger counselors.

The annual Somerset County 4-H Fair begins Wednesday, Aug.  7 at North Branch Park on Milltown Road.