Ten youth from across Wisconsin were recently recognized for their impressive involvement and leadership in Wisconsin 4-H with the State Key Award, the highest recognition a Wisconsin 4-H member can receive. Awards will be presented at the 2026 WI 4-H Fall Forum on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Holiday Inn, Stevens Point, WI, around lunchtime.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation sponsors the Key Awards. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation supports agricultural and leadership programs like 4-H.
2026 Wisconsin 4-H Top 10 Key Award Recipients:
Adelena Hartjes, Wood County:
Adelena Hartjes graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids. She is attending UW-River Falls in the fall of 2026, majoring in Animal Science with a focus on Dairy Science and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. A 13-year veteran of Badger 4-H Club in Wood County, she grew up on a family-run replacement heifer farm. She loves working on the farm and hanging out with all her animals. She’s active in theatre, choir, FFA, National Honors Society, and 4H. An avid reader and writer, Adelena finds meaning in stories because they help us understand lives beyond our own. Whether watching Lord of the Rings or writing her own work, she believes stories build empathy and connection. Adelena loves Taylor Swift and calls her a lyrical genius. Some people say she’s loud–but she just loves life.
Bridget Danke, Outagamie County:
Bridget Danke has been in 4-H for 10 years in Outagamie County with the B-Square 4-H club. Her favorite projects include rabbits, goats, art and youth leadership. She even has a 10 year old rabbit named Simba. Bridget is very involved in club, county, state, and national 4-H programming. Her most recent educational travel program was to the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, GA and her favorite experience was American Spirit. Throughout her 4-H experience, Bridget has given over 400 hours of service to her community and has held many positions of leadership. 4-H truly is her favorite activity and Bridget is considering a career as a Positive Youth Development educator. Bridget is very thankful for all the opportunities 4-H has given her over the years.
Bryndalyn Kanable, Richland County:
Bryndalyn Kanable, daughter of Corey and Gretchen Kanable, lives in Richland Center. This is her eleventh year with the 4-H program where she enjoys showing her sheep, exhibiting clothing, and learning photography skills. She looks forward to attending the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater this fall, where she will double major in Business Administration and Finance with a minor in Accounting. She hopes to work in a healthcare administration role in the future. Bryndalyn graduated from Richland Center High School in 2026.
Danielle Tank, Waupaca County:
Danielle Tank is a 4-H member from Waupaca County, and she has been in 4-H for 13 years. She has been involved in many projects, such as dairy, woodworking, and photography, with dairy being one of her favorites. Along with showing dairy cattle, Danielle also is a member of the county dairy judging team. One of Danielle’s favorite 4-H activities throughout the year is the fair. She loves exhibiting the projects she has worked on for the year, hanging out with friends in the dairy barn, and even working in the 4-H Food Stand. A highlight of Danielle’s years in 4-H was the American Spirit experience. Outside of 4-H, Danielle is very active in her school’s FFA chapter, as well as the high school band. She also competes on her school’s bowling team, and plans to continue bowling in college. Danielle is attending Judson University and majoring in Architecture.
Eric Schutte, Chippewa County:
Eric Schutte is a senior at Chippewa Falls Senior High School, and in his 12th year in 4-H. Eric participates in the Foods & Nutrition, Youth Leadership, and Photography projects. He loves to read, play the piano, and sing. Some of his favorite books include The Quarantine Series by Lex Thomas, The Legend Series by Marie Lu, and the One of Us Is Lying Series, all featuring alternating points of view. Enthusiastic about the performing arts, Eric has participated in many piano recitals, theater productions, and show choir competitions. He has played the piano since 3rd grade, was in his first theater production at 9 years old, and has done show choir since 7th grade. Eric’s favorite subjects in school are math and science, and he plans to go to UW-Platteville for Civil Engineering. He enjoys learning about anything and everything.
Gavin Knudson, Kewaunee County:
Gavin Knudson is a recent alumnus of the Bells of Luxemburg 4-H Club in Kewaunee County. He graduated from Luxemburg-Casco High School and is a sophomore at UW-Madison. Gavin is currently a psychology major on the pre-medical track with a long-term career goal of becoming a research psychiatrist. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, sailing, camping, and mountain biking.
Grace Carter, Sauk County
Grace Carter is a 10 year member of the Websters Prairie 4-H Club in Sauk County. She enjoys showing her two dogs, photography, crocheting and other projects at the fair. During her time in 4-H she has held the role of club president for 6 years, been a member and Secretary of the Wisconsin 4-H Leadership Council and attended a variety of statewide events such as Fall Forum, Summer Academy and the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame Ceremony. Grace is very involved in the equestrian world where she has earned 4 National Championships in endurance horseback riding, and trained several horses for the sport and for clients. Academically, Grace is excelled in Advanced Placement classes, earned Summa Cum Laude after her junior year and will hold the position of President in both Baraboo FFA and FBLA during her senior year. After high school she plans to attend the University of Wisconsin Madison with the intention of later attending veterinary school.
Grant Sime, Crawford County:
Grant Sime was born and raised in Crawford County loves it there. 4-H has been a huge part of his social development and has given him countless opportunities for youth leadership and education. The educational experiences Grant has taken part in have broadened his view of America and our history. As a kid, Grant was nervous to perform speeches and demonstrations in front of other people. Practicing this skill in 4-H helped him become more social and not afraid to speak in public. His whole life, Grant has been lucky enough to be involved in many activities, opportunities, and extracurriculars. He enjoyed keeping busy and explored many pathways to 4-H. Grant explains that “No matter what you are interested in or like to do, 4H definitely has it.” The opportunities 4-H has provided will help support his future career goal of becoming an architect. 4-H has provided him a place for creativity, learning and gaining confidence that will help in all aspects of his future.
Josie Mertens, Calumet County:
Josie Mertens, a thirteen-year 4-H member, participates in the Calumet Cliffhangers 4-H Club. Her favorite part of 4-H has been working with her ducks and building friendships with people from across the county and state. 4-H has played a significant role in shaping who Josie is today. Through leadership opportunities, community service, and countless experiences, she has developed confidence, perseverance, and a passion for helping others. Josie attends the University of Wisconsin-Platteville as an Agricultural Education major, hoping to inspire future generations through teaching and leadership. She is grateful for the friendships, experiences, and life skills that 4-H has provided her and for the positive impact it has had on her life.
Michael Wilson, Jefferson County:
Michael Wilson of Watertown is a 13-year member of the Farmington-All Stars 4-H Club and longtime reporter for his club. He has been active in the performing arts, natural sciences, rocketry, and communication projects, among many others. Through 4-H, he has developed and taught classes in creative games and conlangs (constructed languages), participated in the Team America Rocketry Challenge, performed at a national 4-H youth leadership conference, and served as a member of the Wisconsin State 4-H Drama Company, through which he and other members wrote, cast, costumed, blocked, staged, memorized and performed their own original play at the Overture Center in Madison, all in the course of a week. The valedictorian of the Jefferson High School class of 2025, Michael plans to attend Beloit College to major in Mathematics and Greek, Latin and Ancient Mediterranean Studies with a probable minor in the Performing Arts. From there, he plans to pursue an advanced degree at UW-Madison in linguistics with the goal of becoming a professor in that field.
