Arrington, Cleek inducted into Logan County 4-H Hall of Fame

Bridger Arrington from Mulhall-Orlando 4-H, and Jada Cleek from South Logan County 4-H were added to the Logan County 4-H Hall of Fame at the annual Logan County 4-H achievement banquet held at the fairgrounds this past August. 

Hall of Fame is awarded annually to an outstanding senior 4-H member in the county and is the highest honor for 4-H member at the county level. 

Arrington has also completed six years of 4-H work.  It all started when his neighbor gave him an orphaned lamb.  When he and the lamb were old enough for a show, he enrolled in 4-H.  In addition to showing sheep, from a young age, his world revolved around agriculture.  Soon, he was focusing on other aspects of agriculture such as commercial cows that he runs with his parents.  He has learned about beef quality, how to humanely care for animals, and how to advocate for the beef industry.

He works in conservation of natural resources, and every year they add another way to improve their land. 

4-H has taken him out of his comfort zone from his very first speech about how to tie a bowline knot, to running for and being elected Northeast District secretary.  He participates in civic engagement activities by helping feed people in need in his community and beyond.  

“The most outstanding strength Bridger Arrington possesses is his faith,” said Mulhall-Orlando Agriculture Education instructor Tonya Middleton.  “Bridger’s faith in people and their abilities allows him to impact so many lives.  I have watched as he brightens those who need strength, listens to those who need to be heard and encourages others to excel.  His time spent in 4-H, first as a local, county and northeast district officer and now as a district representative has only strengthened these leadership skills. I cannot impress upon anyone the true positive impact Bridger’s faith in humanity makes in our community and world.”  

Arrington is his Sophomore year of High school, and is the son of Ryan and Kayce Arrington.  Bridger was named the state winner in the 4-H All Other Projects Agriculture and Natural Resources project, and in the top three in the Beef project in 2022.  He was also inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Key Club.  He will serve as the County 4-H Teen Leaders Secretary this year.

Cleek has also been in 4-H for more than six years, and in record book terms, that means six record books, six 4-H stories, but also six years of memories.  In fact, writing her 4-H story, while it is a daunting task, always brings a large amount of emotions to her.  She feels joy, and sometimes sadness as she remembers things that happened over the year and past years.  She has a rabbit project, so one can imagine the ups, and the downs.  She also has a gardening and horticulture project, where she gardens with her family. She likes to experiment with new varieties of produce.  Sometimes they work out, and sometimes they are disappointing. Working with her family, they like to donate much of their crop to others.  She says that her mailman, and her 4-H leader always anxiously await their okra crop.

She also does performing arts and food and nutrition projects, and loves to attend the 4-H trips like Northeast District Youth in Action, and 4-H Roundup.  Jada was in the top three as a finalist in the State 4-H Gardening and Horticulture Project in 2022.  She will serve as Logan County 4-H teen leaders Reporter this year.  She received a 4-H Community Beautification Grant this past year in which she worked with her club to plant shrubs at Charter Oak Elementary.

“It has been fun to see Jada grow over the years from a 5-year-old Cloverbud in our first year of 4-H in our brand new club, to the strong leader she has become,” said Susan Allen, South Logan County 4-H Club leader.  “She has, of course, gained project skills in her knowledge of rabbits, and her expertise in gardening, but also her ability to take control of a situation as a leader for a positive outcome, such as at 4-H camp as a counselor to help younger 4-H’er when they might be struggling.  I am so proud of Jada, and can’t wait to help her celebrate her next achievement.”

Cleek is in her Sophomore year at Guthrie High School, and is one of two original members of the South Logan County 4-H club.  She is the daughter of Kent Cleek. 

Hall of Fame is sponsored by Ochs Auction Service/Raymond Ochs family, Oldenburg Photography/Dusty Oldenburg, the Logan County Soil Conservation District, and Barbara Ebersole.