A high school student was among those honored during the annual awards banquet Thursday, sponsored by Carbon County Conservation District, Carbon County Environmental Center, Natural Resource Service, Penn State Extension Carbon County and USDA Farm Service Agency. The event took place at the Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association.

Danadee Miller-Boyle, USDA Farm Service executive director, served as master of ceremonies.Carissa Servin, daughter of Carlen and Danette Troxell of Lehighton, was the first honoree. She was presented the Rachel W. Hoffmeier 4-H Scholarship Award by Howard Gregory, president of the 4-H Development Board; and Georgia Farrow, Penn State Extension, 4-H program assistant.Servin is a senior at Lehighton Area High School and a member of the Carbon County 4-H Livestock Club. She has been accepted at Morrisville University of Agriculture in New York, where she plans to major in dairy management. She plans to be a herdswoman of a dairy farm. She is the current queen of the Carbon County Fair, representing agriculture and Carbon County 4-H program.The staff at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center then honored Kent Jackson of the Standard Speaker with the Media Award for stories he wrote about bats dying and how its impacts the environment."The story Kent wrote is a sad one," said Sue Gallagher, chief naturalist. "His story brought to light the issue of the bats dying."CCEEC also honored Miranda Clark with the Educator of the Year award for her continued support of the CCEEC.Jeannie Carl, naturalist, said Clark shares her knowledge with the center and is always enthusiastic and always there when needed.After the major awards were presented, Farrow recognized leaders with service awards, including: Bonnie Michael and Kristin Simmons, 25 years; Sandra Palinchak, 15 years; Dr. Justin Cunfer, John Kennedy and Vickie Malloy, 10 years; Diane Conner, Christiana Graver, Michael Leininger and Christy Weimer, five years; and Denise Cressley and Julie Harris, one year.Farrow also recognized outgoing 4-H Development Committee members, Grace Boyle, Courtney Getz, Joyce Hinkle and Laura Kennedy.Nancy Grotevant, multicounty director for Penn State Cooperative Extension, also recognized several individuals, including outgoing Extension Board members, Tony Boyle, Jamie Kunkel, Kris Simmons, for two consecutive terms; and Dr. Justin Cunfer, Kay Gilbert and Amy Hillangrandt for one term.Grotevant introduced new Extension Board members, Monroe Cressley, Tom Creed, Ann Gula and Sherry Schafer.Grotevant also presented Volunteer Awards to several people who served this past year as Master Gardeners. Honored for their hours of service were, Slate Altenburg, 1,000 hours; John Kupec, Maryann Serafini and Julie Foley, 500 hours; and Diane Giffles, 250 hours. She also recognized new Master Gardeners who completed 30 hours of training and 50 hours of volunteer time, Michael Cormier, Eileen East, Marleen Green, Noraine McGee, Patricia Suda and Jennifer Reduzzi.Altenburg then presented an award to Master Gardener John Kupec for his service to install a pollinator garden.Clark Schoenberger and Josiah Behrens III, district chairman, of the Carbon County Conservation District, were recognized with years of service awards. Schoenberger served for 20 years; and Behrens served for 10 years.