Gabe awarded "Top Hand"
by Tripp Davenport
This was the first year that the Big Springs Ranch 4H Club gave an award for the outstanding club member. The award is named the “Top Hand” award. It is sponsored by John and Pat Bakke, long time friends of the Hill Country Youth Ranch and the Big Springs Ranch for Children. The Bakkes have been involved with 4H programs over the years and wanted to do something for the youth at Big Springs. When they found out about the newly formed 4H club at Big Springs Ranch, they were excited to support the youth by sponsoring this award. The “Top Hand” award recognizes a young person from the Big Springs Ranch. He or she is recognized for their character, hard work, and leadership above and beyond that of a 4H club member. The Bakke’s donated a beautiful crafted belt buckle for the award recipient. A special permanent plaque was designed to carry the name of each year’s “Top Hand”. The plaque will be housed in the new agricultural barn facility being built this year.
It was a great honor to have John and Pat Bakke attend the first meeting of the year, and present the awards for “Top Hand”. The member that received the first annual award was Gabe. Gabe joined the 4H club last year and never missed a meeting. He was involved in showing two goats at the Real County Livestock Show. Gabe devoted time to help other 4H members with their animal projects and was always available to assist staff and others. He was on the hospitality committee that hosted the showmanship clinic last fall. Gabe is active in the 4-H recycling project and participated in the quilt sewing project last summer. He maintains good grades in school and has perfect attendance. Gabe was very proud of his shiny new belt buckle presented to him by the Bakke’s. His name will be the first in a long list of “Top Hands” on the permanent plaque to be displayed in the new agriculture building.
