The following 4-H members have been selected to compete for the title of the 2023 Adams County 4-H Royal and Distinguished Ambassador. The Royal and Distinguished Ambassadors will be named on Tuesday, July 18th at the Adams County 4-H Fairgrounds in Monroe.
Brooke Fruechte is the daughter of Brandon and Elizabeth Fruechte. Brooke will be a Senior at Adams Central this fall. She is a 9-year 4-H member, President of the French Peppy Peppers Club, and is active in Junior Leaders. Brooke has participated in both County and State level projects including Swine, Starter Calves, Goats, Foods, Floriculture, Arts and Crafts, and Garden Tractor. Outside of 4-H Brooklyn has served as the Treasurer of the Sunshine Society at Adams Central as well as the Adams Central FFA Chapter Vice President. She also runs Track and Cross Country. She is active in National Honor Society, accomplished Principals Honor Roll status, and competes in Business Professionals of America where her Parliamentary Procedure Team made it to Nationals in 2023. Brooke is a member of the First Mennonite Church in Berne where she serves on the Youth Leadership Team. After attending 4-H Academy at Purdue University, she found her interest in design, and would love to attend Purdue to major in Industrial Design.
Addison Gilbert is the daughter of Doug and Amanda Gilbert and Katrina Gilbert. This fall, she will be going into her Junior year of High School at Adams Central. Addison is an 8-year Member of the French Peppy Peppers 4-H Club and a 4-year member of Junior Leaders, where she currently serves as the Vice President. She participates in Beef, Swine, Photography, and Scrapbooking projects and has competed at the County, State, and National levels. Just this summer, she received the honor of Grand Champion Purebred Market Steer at the National Junior Shorthorn Show in Des Moines, Iowa. This past year was Addison’s second year as a Camp Counselor, where she has enjoyed impacting 4-H youth across Northeast Indiana. Outside of 4-H, Addison stays very busy at school, where she is on the Cross Country, Swimming, and Softball teams. She is also involved in National Honors Society, Sunshine Society and FFA, where she will serve as the Chapter Secretary this upcoming school year. This year was Addison’s first year in Business Professionals of America; she competed in Extemporaneous Speech at the State level and was on the Parliamentary Procedure Team that competed at the National Conference in Anaheim, California.
Branson Jordan is the son of Brian and Amanda Jordan. Branson will be going into his Senior year of high school at Adams Central this fall. He is a 9-year 4-H member, a part of the Washington Sequoias 4-H Club, and Adams County 4-H Junior Leaders where he currently serves as the President. Branson currently serves as one of your State 4-H Ambassadors for Indiana. Branson is active with Swine, Collections, Barbeque, Recycling and Floriculture projects. He has competed at the County and State level with several of these projects and received premium and Champion honors. He has also enjoyed being selected and serving as a 4-H Camp Counselor. Outside of 4-H, Branson is actively involved in Men’s Club Volleyball, High School Volleyball Assistant, and FFA. He has also started his own Photography business, “Branson Jordan Photography, capturing life memories for you to cherish forever”.
Aubrie Krueckeberg is the daughter of Todd and Cindy Krueckeberg. She will be a Senior at Heritage Jr/Sr High School. She is a 9-year member of 4-H. All 9 years she has been active in the Horse & Pony Club. She has won Grand Champion for 5 years, Reserve Grand Champion for 3 years, and was the 2022 Premier Showman for Horse & Pony. She has been in Junior Leaders for 4 years. She has participated and volunteered with many activities. Outside of 4-H, she participates in FFA, Soccer, Cross Country, manages Girls Basketball, Softball, FCA, and NHS. She received a Top 10 Award her Sophomore and Junior year as well as made Principal’s List all three years of high school. She has been a FFA member for 3 years and has participated in Vet Science, Agribusiness Management, Agronomy, and Livestock Judging. She is the 2023 Chapter Secretary and was the 2022 Chapter Historian. She received her Hoosier Degree, Outstanding Junior Award, and received Bronze for National Agronomy. She is a member of Zion Friedheim Lutheran Church and teaches Sunday School to the 3–5-year-old class. She volunteers at the fundraisers for the Poe Volunteer Fire Department. She also served as the 2023 IVFA District 7 Miss Flame.
Bella Lewandowski is the daughter of John and Rachael Lewandowski. Bella is going into her Senior year at Indiana Connections Academy this fall. She is a 9-year member of 4-H. She is an active member of the 4-H Dog Club and the Poultry Club. She is currently the Co-Captain of the Dog Drill Team and will compete at the State level for both Obedience and Drill Team. She has completed many projects over the years including Poultry, Rabbits, Arts and Crafts, Entomology, Geology, Floriculture, and Gardening. She has received numerous premiums and Champion ribbons at both County and State levels. She has received awards including Best of Breed for her Angora rabbits and Best of Egg Production for her Commercial Layer hens.
Jenna Martin is the daughter of Brad and Jill Martin. She will be a Junior at South Adams High School. She is an 8-year 4-H member. She is a part of the Jefferson Go Getters 4-H Club and the Adams County 4-H Junior Leaders. Jenna is active with Dairy Beef Steers, Starter Calf, Barbecue and Photography. She is also a member of the South Adams 4-H Livestock Judging Team, competing in numerous contests, including the State Contest. Outside of 4-H, Jenna participates in FFA where she is the Chapter Vice President. Jenna has competed in many career and leadership development events, and she has helped with numerous community service activities along with the other chapter members. Jenna attends West Missionary Church where she helps with the 2–4-year-old children’s church and the nursery. Jenna is also involved with the church’s youth group, helping with the youth group’s fundraising events, and going on mission trips. Some of Jenna’s hobbies include fishing, hunting, helping out around the family farm, and hanging out with family and friends.
Olivia Minnich the daughter of Jim and Dixie Minnich. Olivia will be a Senior at Heritage High School in the upcoming school year. She has been an active member in 4-H for 9 years, including involvement in Rabbits, Poultry, and Horse & Pony. Olivia has enjoyed other projects, such as Cake Decorating, Fine Arts, and Photography. Aside from 4-H, Olivia is a member of the Golf Team, a Manager for the Girls Basketball Team, and a member of National Honor Society. Olivia also volunteers as a Blood Donor Ambassador for the American Red Cross and is currently working at Parkview in Medical ICU. She has made the top 10 of her class and the Principal’s List her Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior years of high school. Olivia was also nominated for the IASP Academic All-Stars as a Junior, and the Outstanding Student Award for the English Department her Sophomore and Junior years. Olivia plans to attend college and study Biology with a Pre-Med focus, hoping to become an Oncologist one day.
Paige Selimović is the daughter of Migdad and Rachel Selimovic. Paige will be a Junior at South Adams High School this year. She is a 4-year member, part of the Wabash Cloverleafs, Rabbit Club, and 4-H Junior Leaders. She currently serves as the Rabbit Club President. Paige is active with Rabbits, Cats, Small Animals, Photography, Arts and Crafts, Foods, and Construction. She won Grand Champion in Photography for two consecutive years and was awarded Reserve Grand Best of Show in Rabbits, last year. She has enjoyed serving for two years as a 4-H Camp Counselor. Paige also participates in Soccer, Cheerleading, and Softball at South Adams High School. She also enjoys being a member of Business Partners of America, STEM and FFA. She has competed at the Regional, State, and National level. She also joined the Marching Band this year. Paige spends her free time painting, crocheting, drawing, listening to music, and hanging with friends.
Zoe Shoaf is the daughter of Scott and Casie Shoaf. Zoe will be a Senior at Bellmont High School in the fall. She is a 9-year 4-H member. She is a part of the Washington Sequoias 4-H Club, Goat Club and the Adams County 4-H Junior Leaders. Zoe is active in Dairy Goats, Veterinary Science, and Animal Education. She has received multiple premiums and Champion honors competing at both County and State level. Outside of 4-H, Zoe works at Decatur Veterinary Hospital with plans to attend Purdue University for Veterinary Nursing. She also volunteers her time at multiple animal shelters as well as her Church’s Daycare.
Abby Werling is the daughter of Jason Werling and Megan Ashley. She was Senior at Bellmont High School this year and is an active member of Preble Pathfinders, serving as their President this year. Abby has experience in Sheep, Dairy, Starter Calf, Cake Decorating, Floriculture, and Foods. Outside of 4-H, Abby is very active in her community and FFA. She has served as both Chapter Treasurer and Chapter President. Abby also participated in contests such as Soils, Crops, Leadership Development Events, and Poultry. Abby has been awarded Star Greenhand, Star Farmer, 110% Award, and the DEKALB Award. For three years Abby has helped with SPLASH Day and with the Wyneken Pack Away Hunger event. Abby attends church at Friedheim Lutheran Church in Preble. She spends a good portion of her time helping out with her family’s farm and plans to continue doing so now that she has graduated!
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