The Star Awards are a series of awards showing progression of the 4-Hers involvement, including growth and diversification of both the 4-Her and their projects/events.  The series begins with the Rising Star (Step 1), Bronze Star (Step 2), Silver Star (Step 3), "I Dare You" Award (Step 4), and ultimately ending with the Gold Star (Step 5).

These awards were designed to be received in the sequence stated, but being a prior recipient of an award is not a requirement.  Once you have received a step award you may not apply for a lower step award (no regression).  Furthermore, each award may only be received once.  These awards are awarded each year to outstanding 4-Hers in Fort Bend County based on their total 4-H careers as reflected in the 4-H Record Book.

Minimum Criteria
The applicants 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 Star Awards if there are not 4-H members in the county who actually exceed the minimum criteria for each.  The maximum number of Star recipients in Fort Bend County will not exceed three per step.  Each Star Award (step) can be won only one time.


Selection Procedures
The Awards and Recognition Committee will review and screen the applicants for the awards before they are judged.  This committee is to be appointed by the Fort Bend 4-H Parent Leaders Association during the September meeting.  All applicants will be interviewed by a panel of three (3) judges.  The panel will be selected from former Gold Star winners, 4-H leaders and/or County Extension Agents.  Fort Bend County Extension Agents, leaders, parents, or other relatives will not be eligible to judge.  The interviews will be conducted in the Fort Bend Extension Office or in a specified location.  No makeup interview will be given unless prior approval has been received by the Awards and Recognition Committee to allow for a taped interview.  All Star Award receipients will receive a plaque by the Fort Bend 4-H Parent Leaders Association.

The Rising Star was created by Fort Bend 4-H Leader Association in order to honor our Junior 4-H members for their outstanding achievements in 4-H.

Criteria for Selection.
A.  The 4-H member must be at least 8 years of age and in the third grade but not over 10 years of age as of August 31 of the current 4-H year and have completed at least one (1) year 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 Rising Star Award.  An application for the award must be completed and returned to the Fort Bend Extension Office on the same date as Record Books are due unless advised otherwise by the Awards and Recognition Committee.  There will be no exceptions.  The application should be paper clipped to the outside front cover of the Record Books.  The Record Book committee will check the sheets and books.

C.  Project Activities during the 4-Hers' years in 4-H, the member must have:

1. Completed one (1) project as detailed in the Record Book.
2. Participated in and completed one or more activities in the current year (Method Demonstration/4-H Presentation, Contests, Project Exhibits, Camps, Citizenship Activities, Public Relations, Fundraising, Project Activities, etc.).

D.  Leadership - During the applicant's years in 4-H, the 4-H member must have served as an officer or participated on a committee at some level of the 4-H organization club or county, AND/OR provided leadership 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 Intermediate 4-H members; 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; and character should include attitude and personal growth in accepting responsibilities and serving others.

The Bronze Star was created by Fort Bend 4-H Leader Association in order to honor our Intermediate 4-H members for their outstanding achievements in 4-H. 

Criteria for Selection.
A.  The 4-H member must be at least 11 years of age and but not over 13 years of age as of August 31 of the current 4-H year and have completed at least two (2) 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 Bronze Star Award.  An application for the award must be completed and returned to the Fort Bend Extension Office on the same date as Record Books are due unless advised otherwise by the Awards and Recognition Committee.  There will be no exceptions.  The application should be paper clipped to the outside front cover of the Record Books.  The Record Book committee will check the sheets and books.

C.  Project Activities during the 4-Hers' years in 4-H, the member must have:

1. Completed projects in two (2) different project areas that are detailed in the Record Book.
2. Participated in and completed one or more activities in at least three (3) of the following areas in the current year: (Method Demonstration/4-H Presentation, Contests, Project Exhibits, Camps, Leadership Lab, Citizenship Activities, Public Relations, Fundraising, Project Activities, etc.).

D.  Leadership - During the applicant's years in 4-H, the 4-H member must have served as an officer or participated on a committee at some level of the 4-H organization club or county, AND provided leadership 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 Intermediate 4-H members; 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; and character should include attitude and personal growth in accepting responsibilities and serving others.

The Silver Star is the third highest 4-H award at the county level therefore recipients will meet all criteria so the quality of the award can be maintained.  

Criteria for Selection.
A.  The 4-H member must be at least 14 years of age and 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 Silver Star Award showing at least three (3) years of 4-H experience.  An application for the award must be completed and returned to the Fort Bend Extension Office on the same date as Record Books are due unless advised otherwise by the Awards and Recognition Committee.  There will be no exceptions.  The application should be paper clipped to the outside front cover of the Record Books.  The Record Book committee will check the sheets and books.

C.  Project Activities during the 4-Hers' years in 4-H, the member must have:

1. Completed projects in three (3) different project areas that are detailed in the Record Book.
2. Participated in and completed one or more activities in at least three (3) of the following areas in the current year: (Method Demonstration/4-H Presentation, Contests, Project Exhibits, Camps, Leadership Lab, Citizenship Activities, Public Relations, Fundraising, Project Activities, etc.).

D.  Leadership - During the applicant's years in 4-H, the 4-H member must have served as an officer or participated on a committee at some level of the 4-H organization club or county, AND provided leadership 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 Intermediate 4-H members; 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; and character should include attitude and personal growth in accepting responsibilities and serving others.

History of the Danforth - "I Dare You" Award
Mr. William H. Danforth's book, "I Dare You" was first published in 1931.  It is still considered one of the most influential books in the area of personal motivation.  Now in it's 28th printing, the book is published and distributed by the American Youth Foundation through its I Dare You Committee.  The award is offered as recognition of excellence in character and well-balanced development as well as demonstrated leadership.  The Danforth - "I Dare You" is the second highest 4-H award at the county level.

Criteria for Selection.
A.  The 4-H member must be at least 15 years of age and 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 Danforth - "I Dare You" Award showing at least three (3) years of 4-H experience.  An application for the award must be completed and returned to the Fort Bend Extension Office on the same date as Record Books are due unless advised otherwise by the Awards and Recognition Committee.  There will be no exceptions.  The application should be paper clipped to the outside front cover of the Record Books.  The Record Book committee will check the sheets and books.

C.  Project Activities during the 4-Hers' years in 4-H, the member must have:

1. Completed projects in three (3) different project areas that are detailed in the Record Book.
2. Participated in and completed one or more activities in at least three (3) of the following areas in the current year: (Method Demonstration/4-H Presentation, Contests, Project Exhibits, Camps, Leadership Lab, Citizenship Activities, Public Relations, Fundraising, Project Activities, etc.).

D.  Leadership - During the applicant's years in 4-H, the 4-H member must have served as an officer or participated on a committee at some level of the 4-H organization club or county, AND provided leadership 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 Intermediate 4-H members; 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; and character should include attitude and personal growth in accepting responsibilities and serving others.

The Danforth - "I Dare You" recipient(s) will be awarded a trophy by the Fort Bend 4-H Parent Leaders Association.

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 Fort Bend County will not exceed three (3).  The Gold Star can be won only one time.

Criteria for Selection.
A.  The 4-H member must be at least 15 years of age and 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 Fort Bend Extension Office on the same date as Record Books are due unless advised otherwise by the Awards and Recognition Committee.  There will be no exceptions.  The application should be paper clipped to the outside front cover of the Record Books.  The Record Book committee will check the sheets and books.

C.  Project Activities during the 4-Hers' years in 4-H, the member must have:

1. Completed projects in three (3) different project areas that are detailed in the Record Book.
2. Participated in and completed one or more activities in at least three (3) of the following areas in the current year: (Method Demonstration/4-H Presentation, Contests, Project Exhibits, Camps, Leadership Lab, Citizenship Activities, Public Relations, Fundraising, Project Activities, etc.).

D.  Leadership - During the applicant's years in 4-H, the 4-H member must have served as an officer or participated on a committee at some level of the 4-H organization club or county, AND provided leadership 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 Intermediate 4-H members; 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; and character should include attitude and personal growth in accepting responsibilities and serving others.

The Gold Star recipient(s) will be awarded $200 by the Fort Bend 4-H Parent Leaders Association.