Each year, the Freedom, Wyoming 4-Her would carefully select an extra pig when picking his 4-H projects for the summer. From spring until the 4-H county fair in August, he carefully nurtured the hog – keeping it healthy, feeding it well and making sure it was adequately exercised. The hog was special. It would be raffled or auctioned off to help fund 4-H leadership trips for youth within the county who otherwise may be unable to go.

Recently, Colt Rauterkus was honored for his selfless generosity by being named one of Wyoming’s top youth volunteers. He received an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., where he received the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Only 102 youth nationwide, one middle school and one high school student from each state and the District of Columbia, receive the national honor each year.

During the ceremony, Colt received a $1,000 scholarship and an engraved silver medallion. His father, Terry, said it was something every youth should have an opportunity to experience. “Everything involved with that trip was first class, top of the line,” Terry explained. “The energy and excitement of the Prudential representatives was unbelievable. They treated those kids like celebrities.”

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Once the youth arrived in Washington, D.C., Terry said 10 were picked from the 102 for a $10,000 scholarship. Of that, $5,000 was for the youth, and the other $5,000 was for the charity of their choice.”

Colt graduated this spring from Star Valley High School in Afton, Wyo. He is currently stationed in Missouri for basic training for nine weeks and five days, said his mother, Jeane. After he finishes two other trainings for the Army this fall, Colt will become a college student next January at the University of Wyoming majoring in history. “He is very proud to be serving the military,” Jeane said. “He is very patriotic.”

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Colt started showing hogs when he was 8-years-old as a 4-H project. “He pretty much grew up with 4-H,” Jeane said. “He started out with shooting sports and pigs, and then showed horses for years along with the pigs, before he decided to just focus on pigs.” Colt is a member of the Lincoln County Divine Swine 4-H Club.

As he grew older, Colt became interested in leadership opportunities through the 4-H organization, and soon became a member of the Wyoming State 4-H Youth Leadership Team. “It was while he was on the leadership team that he discovered there wasn’t a lot of money available for kids to travel,” Jeane explained. “He thought it was very important for the money to be available for kids to attend leadership conferences like the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., and the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia.”

“I believed it was very important to my fellow 4-H members, and also the future members to have money available for travel and seminars,” he said. “I would not want anyone to miss an incredible opportunity at education because there was not enough money.”

It was nearly four years ago during a family discussion that Colt and his family came up with the idea of raising and auctioning off a hog to raise money for the 4-H program. “We already raise hogs,” Jeane said, “and our family has a feed store, so we have the best opportunity available to feed these hogs right.”

“Colt just wanted to give something back to the 4-H program,” Terry added. So each year, Colt would raise one additional pig besides the ones he showed in 4-H. “The first year he raffled it off, the second year he sold it in a silent auction, and the third year, he sold it in a live auction during the county fair,” Jeane said. Each year, he managed to raise over $500 he donated to the Lincoln County 4-H Leadership Council to help 4-H kids travel to state and national events.

“Colt is very dedicated to the military,” Jeane added. “If whoever bought the pig didn’t want it, he encouraged them to donate it to a needy military family in the area,” she proudly explained. “He loves the military and all it stands for. There are many military families in this area. It is a cause that is near and dear to his heart.”

With so much family support and with his interest in leadership opportunities, Colt has had many accomplishments in his young life.

He has been a state 4-H leader, and has shown at the Wyoming State Fair. He has spent countless hours in the barns and helping kids with their 4-H projects, Jeane said. “He has helped with many fundraisers through our 4-H club. He was a camp counselor at 4-H camp, and was named the outstanding senior 4-H member twice.”

Outside of 4-H, Colt was the homecoming king at his high school, and earned the Alpine Boy Scouts of America Troop 112 Eagle Scout in 2008. During the summers, Colt helps an outfitter and takes pack trips. He also enjoys skiing and golfing.

As Colt moves on to a new chapter in his life, the next Rauterkus sibling has stepped up to take over where he has left off. “His sister, Rebel, is working with the American Legion in Alpine, Wyo.,” Jeane explained. “They are selling tickets for one of her pigs, and all the money they raise will go to the American Legion. The money will benefit military families in this area.”

As Jeane looks back over the years, she said she wishes they had pushed harder to raise more money for the 4-H program. “Our daughter, Rebel, is a very good speaker, and she has been pushing harder by doing more advertising and getting the word out about what she is doing. We have no doubt she will be quite successful in her fundraising efforts.”

The couple also has a younger son, Wyatt Hank, who is 14, and will take his own turn at fundraising in a few years.

Mostly, the family hopes others will volunteer and help raise money for worthwhile causes like 4-H and the American Legion. “I hope I have set an example for others to follow, and perhaps they will even raise the bar higher and exceed their expectations,” Colt said.

Jeane added, “These groups do so much to benefit youth and the community, and it never seems like there is enough money to go around. We just wanted to do our part to help.”

Each year, the Freedom, Wyoming 4-Her would carefully select an extra pig when picking his 4-H projects for the summer. From spring until the 4-H county fair in August, he carefully nurtured the hog – keeping it healthy, feeding it well and making sure it was adequately exercised. The hog was special. It would be raffled or auctioned off to help fund 4-H leadership trips for youth within the county who otherwise may be unable to go.

Recently, Colt Rauterkus was honored for his selfless generosity by being named one of Wyoming’s top youth volunteers. He received an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., where he received the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Only 102 youth nationwide, one middle school and one high school student from each state and the District of Columbia, receive the national honor each year.

During the ceremony, Colt received a $1,000 scholarship and an engraved silver medallion. His father, Terry, said it was something every youth should have an opportunity to experience. “Everything involved with that trip was first class, top of the line,” Terry explained. “The energy and excitement of the Prudential representatives was unbelievable. They treated those kids like celebrities.”

Once the youth arrived in Washington, D.C., Terry said 10 were picked from the 102 for a $10,000 scholarship. Of that, $5,000 was for the youth, and the other $5,000 was for the charity of their choice.”

Colt graduated this spring from Star Valley High School in Afton, Wyo. He is currently stationed in Missouri for basic training for nine weeks and five days, said his mother, Jeane. After he finishes two other trainings for the Army this fall, Colt will become a college student next January at the University of Wyoming majoring in history. “He is very proud to be serving the military,” Jeane said. “He is very patriotic.”

Colt started showing hogs when he was 8-years-old as a 4-H project. “He pretty much grew up with 4-H,” Jeane said. “He started out with shooting sports and pigs, and then showed horses for years along with the pigs, before he decided to just focus on pigs.” Colt is a member of the Lincoln County Divine Swine 4-H Club.

As he grew older, Colt became interested in leadership opportunities through the 4-H organization, and soon became a member of the Wyoming State 4-H Youth Leadership Team. “It was while he was on the leadership team that he discovered there wasn’t a lot of money available for kids to travel,” Jeane explained. “He thought it was very important for the money to be available for kids to attend leadership conferences like the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., and the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia.”

“I believed it was very important to my fellow 4-H members, and also the future members to have money available for travel and seminars,” he said. “I would not want anyone to miss an incredible opportunity at education because there was not enough money.”

It was nearly four years ago during a family discussion that Colt and his family came up with the idea of raising and auctioning off a hog to raise money for the 4-H program. “We already raise hogs,” Jeane said, “and our family has a feed store, so we have the best opportunity available to feed these hogs right.”

“Colt just wanted to give something back to the 4-H program,” Terry added. So each year, Colt would raise one additional pig besides the ones he showed in 4-H. “The first year he raffled it off, the second year he sold it in a silent auction, and the third year, he sold it in a live auction during the county fair,” Jeane said. Each year, he managed to raise over $500 he donated to the Lincoln County 4-H Leadership Council to help 4-H kids travel to state and national events.

“Colt is very dedicated to the military,” Jeane added. “If whoever bought the pig didn’t want it, he encouraged them to donate it to a needy military family in the area,” she proudly explained. “He loves the military and all it stands for. There are many military families in this area. It is a cause that is near and dear to his heart.”

With so much family support and with his interest in leadership opportunities, Colt has had many accomplishments in his young life.

He has been a state 4-H leader, and has shown at the Wyoming State Fair. He has spent countless hours in the barns and helping kids with their 4-H projects, Jeane said. “He has helped with many fundraisers through our 4-H club. He was a camp counselor at 4-H camp, and was named the outstanding senior 4-H member twice.”

Outside of 4-H, Colt was the homecoming king at his high school, and earned the Alpine Boy Scouts of America Troop 112 Eagle Scout in 2008. During the summers, Colt helps an outfitter and takes pack trips. He also enjoys skiing and golfing.

As Colt moves on to a new chapter in his life, the next Rauterkus sibling has stepped up to take over where he has left off. “His sister, Rebel, is working with the American Legion in Alpine, Wyo.,” Jeane explained. “They are selling tickets for one of her pigs, and all the money they raise will go to the American Legion. The money will benefit military families in this area.”

As Jeane looks back over the years, she said she wishes they had pushed harder to raise more money for the 4-H program. “Our daughter, Rebel, is a very good speaker, and she has been pushing harder by doing more advertising and getting the word out about what she is doing. We have no doubt she will be quite successful in her fundraising efforts.”

The couple also has a younger son, Wyatt Hank, who is 14, and will take his own turn at fundraising in a few years.

Mostly, the family hopes others will volunteer and help raise money for worthwhile causes like 4-H and the American Legion. “I hope I have set an example for others to follow, and perhaps they will even raise the bar higher and exceed their expectations,” Colt said.

Jeane added, “These groups do so much to benefit youth and the community, and it never seems like there is enough money to go around. We just wanted to do our part to help.”

Each year, the Freedom, Wyoming 4-Her would carefully select an extra pig when picking his 4-H projects for the summer. From spring until the 4-H county fair in August, he carefully nurtured the hog – keeping it healthy, feeding it well and making sure it was adequately exercised. The hog was special. It would be raffled or auctioned off to help fund 4-H leadership trips for youth within the county who otherwise may be unable to go.

Recently, Colt Rauterkus was honored for his selfless generosity by being named one of Wyoming’s top youth volunteers. He received an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., where he received the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Only 102 youth nationwide, one middle school and one high school student from each state and the District of Columbia, receive the national honor each year.

During the ceremony, Colt received a $1,000 scholarship and an engraved silver medallion. His father, Terry, said it was something every youth should have an opportunity to experience. “Everything involved with that trip was first class, top of the line,” Terry explained. “The energy and excitement of the Prudential representatives was unbelievable. They treated those kids like celebrities.”

Once the youth arrived in Washington, D.C., Terry said 10 were picked from the 102 for a $10,000 scholarship. Of that, $5,000 was for the youth, and the other $5,000 was for the charity of their choice.”

Colt graduated this spring from Star Valley High School in Afton, Wyo. He is currently stationed in Missouri for basic training for nine weeks and five days, said his mother, Jeane. After he finishes two other trainings for the Army this fall, Colt will become a college student next January at the University of Wyoming majoring in history. “He is very proud to be serving the military,” Jeane said. “He is very patriotic.”

Colt started showing hogs when he was 8-years-old as a 4-H project. “He pretty much grew up with 4-H,” Jeane said. “He started out with shooting sports and pigs, and then showed horses for years along with the pigs, before he decided to just focus on pigs.” Colt is a member of the Lincoln County Divine Swine 4-H Club.

As he grew older, Colt became interested in leadership opportunities through the 4-H organization, and soon became a member of the Wyoming State 4-H Youth Leadership Team. “It was while he was on the leadership team that he discovered there wasn’t a lot of money available for kids to travel,” Jeane explained. “He thought it was very important for the money to be available for kids to attend leadership conferences like the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., and the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia.”

“I believed it was very important to my fellow 4-H members, and also the future members to have money available for travel and seminars,” he said. “I would not want anyone to miss an incredible opportunity at education because there was not enough money.”

It was nearly four years ago during a family discussion that Colt and his family came up with the idea of raising and auctioning off a hog to raise money for the 4-H program. “We already raise hogs,” Jeane said, “and our family has a feed store, so we have the best opportunity available to feed these hogs right.”

“Colt just wanted to give something back to the 4-H program,” Terry added. So each year, Colt would raise one additional pig besides the ones he showed in 4-H. “The first year he raffled it off, the second year he sold it in a silent auction, and the third year, he sold it in a live auction during the county fair,” Jeane said. Each year, he managed to raise over $500 he donated to the Lincoln County 4-H Leadership Council to help 4-H kids travel to state and national events.

“Colt is very dedicated to the military,” Jeane added. “If whoever bought the pig didn’t want it, he encouraged them to donate it to a needy military family in the area,” she proudly explained. “He loves the military and all it stands for. There are many military families in this area. It is a cause that is near and dear to his heart.”

With so much family support and with his interest in leadership opportunities, Colt has had many accomplishments in his young life.

He has been a state 4-H leader, and has shown at the Wyoming State Fair. He has spent countless hours in the barns and helping kids with their 4-H projects, Jeane said. “He has helped with many fundraisers through our 4-H club. He was a camp counselor at 4-H camp, and was named the outstanding senior 4-H member twice.”

Outside of 4-H, Colt was the homecoming king at his high school, and earned the Alpine Boy Scouts of America Troop 112 Eagle Scout in 2008. During the summers, Colt helps an outfitter and takes pack trips. He also enjoys skiing and golfing.

As Colt moves on to a new chapter in his life, the next Rauterkus sibling has stepped up to take over where he has left off. “His sister, Rebel, is working with the American Legion in Alpine, Wyo.,” Jeane explained. “They are selling tickets for one of her pigs, and all the money they raise will go to the American Legion. The money will benefit military families in this area.”

As Jeane looks back over the years, she said she wishes they had pushed harder to raise more money for the 4-H program. “Our daughter, Rebel, is a very good speaker, and she has been pushing harder by doing more advertising and getting the word out about what she is doing. We have no doubt she will be quite successful in her fundraising efforts.”

The couple also has a younger son, Wyatt Hank, who is 14, and will take his own turn at fundraising in a few years.

Mostly, the family hopes others will volunteer and help raise money for worthwhile causes like 4-H and the American Legion. “I hope I have set an example for others to follow, and perhaps they will even raise the bar higher and exceed their expectations,” Colt said.

Jeane added, “These groups do so much to benefit youth and the community, and it never seems like there is enough money to go around. We just wanted to do our part to help.”

Each year, the Freedom, Wyoming 4-Her would carefully select an extra pig when picking his 4-H projects for the summer. From spring until the 4-H county fair in August, he carefully nurtured the hog – keeping it healthy, feeding it well and making sure it was adequately exercised. The hog was special. It would be raffled or auctioned off to help fund 4-H leadership trips for youth within the county who otherwise may be unable to go.

Recently, Colt Rauterkus was honored for his selfless generosity by being named one of Wyoming’s top youth volunteers. He received an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., where he received the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Only 102 youth nationwide, one middle school and one high school student from each state and the District of Columbia, receive the national honor each year.

During the ceremony, Colt received a $1,000 scholarship and an engraved silver medallion. His father, Terry, said it was something every youth should have an opportunity to experience. “Everything involved with that trip was first class, top of the line,” Terry explained. “The energy and excitement of the Prudential representatives was unbelievable. They treated those kids like celebrities.”

Once the youth arrived in Washington, D.C., Terry said 10 were picked from the 102 for a $10,000 scholarship. Of that, $5,000 was for the youth, and the other $5,000 was for the charity of their choice.”

Colt graduated this spring from Star Valley High School in Afton, Wyo. He is currently stationed in Missouri for basic training for nine weeks and five days, said his mother, Jeane. After he finishes two other trainings for the Army this fall, Colt will become a college student next January at the University of Wyoming majoring in history. “He is very proud to be serving the military,” Jeane said. “He is very patriotic.”

Colt started showing hogs when he was 8-years-old as a 4-H project. “He pretty much grew up with 4-H,” Jeane said. “He started out with shooting sports and pigs, and then showed horses for years along with the pigs, before he decided to just focus on pigs.” Colt is a member of the Lincoln County Divine Swine 4-H Club.

As he grew older, Colt became interested in leadership opportunities through the 4-H organization, and soon became a member of the Wyoming State 4-H Youth Leadership Team. “It was while he was on the leadership team that he discovered there wasn’t a lot of money available for kids to travel,” Jeane explained. “He thought it was very important for the money to be available for kids to attend leadership conferences like the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., and the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia.”

“I believed it was very important to my fellow 4-H members, and also the future members to have money available for travel and seminars,” he said. “I would not want anyone to miss an incredible opportunity at education because there was not enough money.”

It was nearly four years ago during a family discussion that Colt and his family came up with the idea of raising and auctioning off a hog to raise money for the 4-H program. “We already raise hogs,” Jeane said, “and our family has a feed store, so we have the best opportunity available to feed these hogs right.”

“Colt just wanted to give something back to the 4-H program,” Terry added. So each year, Colt would raise one additional pig besides the ones he showed in 4-H. “The first year he raffled it off, the second year he sold it in a silent auction, and the third year, he sold it in a live auction during the county fair,” Jeane said. Each year, he managed to raise over $500 he donated to the Lincoln County 4-H Leadership Council to help 4-H kids travel to state and national events.

“Colt is very dedicated to the military,” Jeane added. “If whoever bought the pig didn’t want it, he encouraged them to donate it to a needy military family in the area,” she proudly explained. “He loves the military and all it stands for. There are many military families in this area. It is a cause that is near and dear to his heart.”

With so much family support and with his interest in leadership opportunities, Colt has had many accomplishments in his young life.

He has been a state 4-H leader, and has shown at the Wyoming State Fair. He has spent countless hours in the barns and helping kids with their 4-H projects, Jeane said. “He has helped with many fundraisers through our 4-H club. He was a camp counselor at 4-H camp, and was named the outstanding senior 4-H member twice.”

Outside of 4-H, Colt was the homecoming king at his high school, and earned the Alpine Boy Scouts of America Troop 112 Eagle Scout in 2008. During the summers, Colt helps an outfitter and takes pack trips. He also enjoys skiing and golfing.

As Colt moves on to a new chapter in his life, the next Rauterkus sibling has stepped up to take over where he has left off. “His sister, Rebel, is working with the American Legion in Alpine, Wyo.,” Jeane explained. “They are selling tickets for one of her pigs, and all the money they raise will go to the American Legion. The money will benefit military families in this area.”

As Jeane looks back over the years, she said she wishes they had pushed harder to raise more money for the 4-H program. “Our daughter, Rebel, is a very good speaker, and she has been pushing harder by doing more advertising and getting the word out about what she is doing. We have no doubt she will be quite successful in her fundraising efforts.”

The couple also has a younger son, Wyatt Hank, who is 14, and will take his own turn at fundraising in a few years.

Mostly, the family hopes others will volunteer and help raise money for worthwhile causes like 4-H and the American Legion. “I hope I have set an example for others to follow, and perhaps they will even raise the bar higher and exceed their expectations,” Colt said.

Jeane added, “These groups do so much to benefit youth and the community, and it never seems like there is enough money to go around. We just wanted to do our part to help.”

Each year, the Freedom, Wyoming 4-Her would carefully select an extra pig when picking his 4-H projects for the summer. From spring until the 4-H county fair in August, he carefully nurtured the hog – keeping it healthy, feeding it well and making sure it was adequately exercised. The hog was special. It would be raffled or auctioned off to help fund 4-H leadership trips for youth within the county who otherwise may be unable to go.

Recently, Colt Rauterkus was honored for his selfless generosity by being named one of Wyoming’s top youth volunteers. He received an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., where he received the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Only 102 youth nationwide, one middle school and one high school student from each state and the District of Columbia, receive the national honor each year.

During the ceremony, Colt received a $1,000 scholarship and an engraved silver medallion. His father, Terry, said it was something every youth should have an opportunity to experience. “Everything involved with that trip was first class, top of the line,” Terry explained. “The energy and excitement of the Prudential representatives was unbelievable. They treated those kids like celebrities.”

Once the youth arrived in Washington, D.C., Terry said 10 were picked from the 102 for a $10,000 scholarship. Of that, $5,000 was for the youth, and the other $5,000 was for the charity of their choice.”

Colt graduated this spring from Star Valley High School in Afton, Wyo. He is currently stationed in Missouri for basic training for nine weeks and five days, said his mother, Jeane. After he finishes two other trainings for the Army this fall, Colt will become a college student next January at the University of Wyoming majoring in history. “He is very proud to be serving the military,” Jeane said. “He is very patriotic.”

Colt started showing hogs when he was 8-years-old as a 4-H project. “He pretty much grew up with 4-H,” Jeane said. “He started out with shooting sports and pigs, and then showed horses for years along with the pigs, before he decided to just focus on pigs.” Colt is a member of the Lincoln County Divine Swine 4-H Club.

As he grew older, Colt became interested in leadership opportunities through the 4-H organization, and soon became a member of the Wyoming State 4-H Youth Leadership Team. “It was while he was on the leadership team that he discovered there wasn’t a lot of money available for kids to travel,” Jeane explained. “He thought it was very important for the money to be available for kids to attend leadership conferences like the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., and the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia.”

“I believed it was very important to my fellow 4-H members, and also the future members to have money available for travel and seminars,” he said. “I would not want anyone to miss an incredible opportunity at education because there was not enough money.”

It was nearly four years ago during a family discussion that Colt and his family came up with the idea of raising and auctioning off a hog to raise money for the 4-H program. “We already raise hogs,” Jeane said, “and our family has a feed store, so we have the best opportunity available to feed these hogs right.”

“Colt just wanted to give something back to the 4-H program,” Terry added. So each year, Colt would raise one additional pig besides the ones he showed in 4-H. “The first year he raffled it off, the second year he sold it in a silent auction, and the third year, he sold it in a live auction during the county fair,” Jeane said. Each year, he managed to raise over $500 he donated to the Lincoln County 4-H Leadership Council to help 4-H kids travel to state and national events.

“Colt is very dedicated to the military,” Jeane added. “If whoever bought the pig didn’t want it, he encouraged them to donate it to a needy military family in the area,” she proudly explained. “He loves the military and all it stands for. There are many military families in this area. It is a cause that is near and dear to his heart.”

With so much family support and with his interest in leadership opportunities, Colt has had many accomplishments in his young life.

He has been a state 4-H leader, and has shown at the Wyoming State Fair. He has spent countless hours in the barns and helping kids with their 4-H projects, Jeane said. “He has helped with many fundraisers through our 4-H club. He was a camp counselor at 4-H camp, and was named the outstanding senior 4-H member twice.”

Outside of 4-H, Colt was the homecoming king at his high school, and earned the Alpine Boy Scouts of America Troop 112 Eagle Scout in 2008. During the summers, Colt helps an outfitter and takes pack trips. He also enjoys skiing and golfing.

As Colt moves on to a new chapter in his life, the next Rauterkus sibling has stepped up to take over where he has left off. “His sister, Rebel, is working with the American Legion in Alpine, Wyo.,” Jeane explained. “They are selling tickets for one of her pigs, and all the money they raise will go to the American Legion. The money will benefit military families in this area.”

As Jeane looks back over the years, she said she wishes they had pushed harder to raise more money for the 4-H program. “Our daughter, Rebel, is a very good speaker, and she has been pushing harder by doing more advertising and getting the word out about what she is doing. We have no doubt she will be quite successful in her fundraising efforts.”

The couple also has a younger son, Wyatt Hank, who is 14, and will take his own turn at fundraising in a few years.

Mostly, the family hopes others will volunteer and help raise money for worthwhile causes like 4-H and the American Legion. “I hope I have set an example for others to follow, and perhaps they will even raise the bar higher and exceed their expectations,” Colt said.

Jeane added, “These groups do so much to benefit youth and the community, and it never seems like there is enough money to go around. We just wanted to do our part to help.”