4-H Horse Club Awards 3 police officers sworn in
The Exeter Township supervisors on Monday, Jan. 9, answered acting Police Chief Matthew Harley’s call for more personnel by swearing in three new officers.
Harley said the department is overwhelmed by calls, understaffed and needing to replace retiring officers.
In November the supervisors voted unanimously to hire more officers.
Officers include Joshua Wertz, 24, a yearlong police officer in Reading. He is a son of the late Scott Wertz who was killed in the line of duty in 2006, and has since earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Lock Haven University. He is a graduate of the Reading Police Academy.
Also sworn in was David Qawasmy, 28, of Norristown, who attended West Chester University
for a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice and has been a police officer since 2017 in Yeadon, Delaware County.
Anthony Squillante, 24, Downingtown, Chester County, is the third officer joining the force. Squillante graduated in December from the Montgomery County Police Academy.
In other business, the board honored local charity Hack Away at Hunger and Poverty.
In 2022, the golfing group donated $44,270 to support individuals and families in Exeter.
The board voted 4-1 to hire Betsy McBride as the township manager effective Feb. 4. She has been filling that role in an interim capacity through KMS Staffing of Philadelphia.
“I think she’s proven time and time again her qualifications,” Supervisor Michelle Kircher said.
Supervisor David Hughes voted no, saying he didn’t believe McBride was properly vetted.
LEESPORT >> Berks County 4-H Horse Club members were recognized recently for their participation and achievements in the horse program for 2022 during a banquet.
All 4-H Horse Club members have an opportunity to fill out an application on their accomplishments and participation in 4-H events for the past year. These forms are judged on the overall participation in 4-H events.
Winners
Junior Division (8-12): Champion, Jessica Fox from Ride for Pride 4-H Horse Club.
Intermediate Division (13-15): Champion, Maisy
Funk from Ride for Pride 4-H Horse Club; Reserve Champion, Kamryn Witman from Blue Ribbon Riders 4-H Horse Club.
Senior Division (16+): Champion, Megan Vance from Blue Ribbon Riders 4-H Horse Club; Reserve Champion, Elizabeth Jones from Ride for Pride 4-H Horse Club.
Honorable MentionSpirit of 4-H Awards: Natalee Fryer from Blue Ribbon Riders 4-H Horse Club.
Additional awards
Participation in the PA 4-H Junior Championship Show as an exhibitor this past July: Caitlin Diffendal and Megan Salamone.
Participation in the PA State 4-H Horse Show as an exhibitor this past October:
Reagan Bright, Caitlin Diffendal, Lindsay Diffendal, Ava Fedak, Jessica Fox, Hannah Laverty, Megan Salamone,
and Megan Vance.
PA State 4-H Model Horse Show participant: Elizabeth Jones.
PA State 4-H Photography Contest participants: Jessica Fox (3rd place Junior other photo category), and Elizabeth Jones (3rd place Senior other photo category).
Participants in the Regional Virtual Hippology Contest: Angelina Shumaker, Kamryn Witman, Maisy Funk, Natalee Fryer, Elizabeth Jones, Megan Salamone, and Megan Vance.
Participants in the Regional Virtual Communications Contest: Maisy Funk.
Hoof Hours: Natalee Fryer, Jessica Fox, Maisy Funk, Elizabeth Jones, Sophia Thornhill, and Kamryn Witman.
PA Team Horse Power: Megan Vance.
The Road to Horsemanship Skills: Level 1 Completion
— Jessica Fox, Maisy Funk, and Megan Salamone; Level 2 Handling Completion — Maisy Funk and Megan Salamone; Level 3 Completion — Caitlin Diffendal.
PA 4-H Public Speaking Contest: Maisy Funk, 1st place PA 4-H Presentation Contest; Maisy Funk, 4th place PA 4-H Public Speaking Contest.
PA 4-H Outstanding Horse Member: Maisy Funk placed in the top 5 in Pennsylvania.
4-H Teen Leader Recognition: Maisy Funk and Elizabeth Jones.
Volunteer Recognition: Victoria Motter — 1st year 4-H volunteer; Colleen Witman — 5th year 4-H volunteer; and Tricia Sullivan — 5th year 4-H volunteer.