STILLWATER, Okla. — Cotton County 4-H members were recognized among Oklahoma’s finest during the 2026 Oklahoma 4-H Honor Night, earning some of the organization’s highest honors for leadership, citizenship, agriculture, and service.
Held annually, Oklahoma 4-H Honor Night celebrates the accomplishments of outstanding 4-H members from across the state whose dedication to leadership, project excellence, community service, and personal growth exemplifies the 4-H pledge to “Make the Best Better.”
Leading the evening’s honors was Sunshine Sutterfield, a recent graduate of Walters High School. Sutterfield was named the State Project Winner in Citizenship and finished among the Top Three in State Achievement. She also received the prestigious Rule of Law Scholarship, was inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Key Club, and was recognized as one of Oklahoma’s Blue Award Group Top 20 4-H Members, an honor reserved for the state’s most accomplished senior 4-H members.
Claire Nease, who will be a senior at Walters High School this fall, earned the title of State Project Winner in Advanced Citizenship and was recognized as a Top Three finalist in Advanced Achievement. She was also named a Blue Award Group Top 20 Oklahoma 4-H Member, recognizing her outstanding leadership, service, and dedication to the 4-H program.
Rowdy Burns, an incoming freshman at Walters High School, was named the State Project Winner in Swine and earned a Top Three finish in Agriculture. He was also inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Key Club, one of the organization’s highest leadership honors, recognizing members who have demonstrated exceptional achievement and service throughout their 4-H careers.
Paisley, who will be a sophomore at Big Pasture High School, was inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Key Club and selected to represent Oklahoma as a National 4-H Congress Delegate, one of the highest honors available to senior 4-H members. National 4-H Congress brings together outstanding leaders from across the nation for leadership development and service.
Rylee, a recent graduate of Walters High School, was inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Key Club and received an Oklahoma Youth Expo Scholarship, recognizing her academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to Oklahoma agriculture.
The evening also celebrated the continued success of Cotton County 4-H alumni. Keaston Gonzalez, a Cotton County 4-H alumnus, received the prestigious Modellee Pattillo and Hugo Graumann Memorial Scholarship, recognizing his continued pursuit of excellence through higher education and leadership.
The accomplishments of these young leaders reflect the strength of the Cotton County 4-H program and the dedication of its members, volunteers, families, and supporters. Their achievements represent years of hard work, countless hours of community service, and a commitment to developing the leadership skills that will positively impact their schools, communities, and the future of Oklahoma agriculture.
Cotton County 4-H extends its congratulations to each of these outstanding members for representing their county with excellence and continuing the tradition of success at the state level.
