2015 Torchbearer Award recipients. Hannah Walsh was named from Pierce County (Submitted Photo)

Twenty-three youth from around the state earned the North Dakota Farmers Union Torchbearer Award this year. A special ceremony was held on Saturday, Dec. 12, to recognize their achievements. The Torchbearer Award is the highest honor that senior youth may achieve in Farmers Union. Youth must complete five consecutive years of senior youth work to be eligible for this award.

North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne presented a candle to each Torchbearer as they crossed the stage. Watne commented, “We pledge to build a better world for all, to build a prosperous world for agriculture and to build a strong Farmers Union. You have earned the right to be a Torchbearer and I am confident that your leadership skills will serve you well in the future.”

Recipients included:

BARNES COUNTY

Amanda Bjork

Heather Knutson

Emily McKay

Katelyn Nehlich

Mikaylah Ross

BOWMAN/SLOPE

Daniel Baesler

Timothy Fischer

Kaitlyn Hill

Taylor Powell

DICKEY COUNTY

Michael Barton

Taylor Olson

EMMONS COUNTY

Shantel Lang

LOGAN COUNTY

Sami Bitz

Katelyn Horner

Katelyn Long

Rachel Weigel

McLEAN COUNTY

Kylee Reiser

PIERCE COUNTY

Hannah Walsh

STUTSMAN COUNTY

Morgan Harr

TOWNER COUNTY

Brenna Dease

WARD COUNTY

Tanner King

WILLIAMS COUNTY

Brenna Hill

Allison Ziebarth

To conclude the evening, all of the Torchbearers recited the pledge led by Bailey Bitz of Napoleon. The pledge reads, “I accept my responsibility as a Torchbearer of the Farmers Union, and I pledge to bear that torch with clean hands and a courageous heart. I unite with my fellow Torchbearers in a pledge to practice tolerance and brotherhood and to keep my torch ever one of those which shall light the way to a peaceful world.”