April 30, 2026 -Awards season is underway, and several 4-H members from Macon and Piatt counties are being recognized for outstanding achievements in animal sciences, leadership, and community service through the Illinois 4-H Foundation and Illinois 4-H program.
Morgan Crouch of Macon County earned a prestigious State 4-H Animal Sciences Award, recognizing exceptional skill and dedication in animal science projects. The honor includes a $1,250 scholarship. Crouch also received an Illinois 4-H Experience Emerald Clover Award in Leadership, reflecting her extensive involvement, including service on the DeWitt, Macon, Piatt Extension Council, participation on the State 4-H Livestock Skillathon Prep committee, and her role as president-elect of her 4-H club. She has also advocated for 4-H by meeting with state legislators.
Delaney Crouch, also of Macon County, was awarded an Emerald Clover Award in Leadership. Her contributions include serving as secretary-elect of her club and promoting 4-H during the Illinois State Fair, where she hosted a booth in the sheep barn and met with Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello.
In Piatt County, Abby Pilcher received an Emerald Clover Award in Community Service. Her efforts include organizing and participating in initiatives such as the Souper Bowl Food Drive, assisting with clean-up efforts at the DeWitt County 4-H fairgrounds, volunteering on a church mission trip, and supporting food distribution through the Eastern Illinois Food Bank.
Emily Pilcher, also of Piatt County, earned an Emerald Clover Award in Project Learning for her exploration of diverse project areas including cooking, health innovations, theatre arts, civic engagement, and animal sciences. She was also recognized at the Illinois State Fair with an Inspire Award for her Cooking 101 cereal bars.
Elizabeth Cornett of Macon County received the Illinois 4-H Experience Diamond Clover Award in Leadership. Cornett played a key role as lead outreach coordinator for the Super SCREAM Bros FIRST Tech Challenge robotics team, organizing pre-state scrimmages and helping develop STEM kits distributed to youth in the Dominican Republic. She also contributed locally as a junior assistant at the DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt 4-H General Projects Show.
The Emerald Clover Award recognizes members who complete eight or more high-level experiences in a specific area, while the Diamond Clover Award honors those completing six or more advanced experiences, many beyond the county level.
In total, 45 Illinois 4-H members received scholarships this year across a variety of disciplines, highlighting their commitment to leadership, innovation, and community impact. Honorees were celebrated during a statewide ceremony held April 3 in Champaign.
