Recognizing Achievement and Community Spirit: November 2025 Recap

November 2025: A Month of Growth, Grit, and Good Eats

November arrived like a lantern in the dark, shining on two of our favorite yearly traditions: the Stepping Stone Award Ceremony and the Pumpkin Recipe Contest. Both carried their own kind of sparkle, from proud smiles in the arena to pumpkin-scented plates drifting through the room.

Stepping Stones: Celebrating Progress, One Stone at a Time

Our Stepping Stones system is a path of achievement that lets each individual see just how far they’ve come in their programs. Whether they're tending the Garden, working with Horses, caring for Chickens, or learning about Cows, each new stone marks a completed goal and the freedom to step into a new level or even explore a new program. Families may also choose to step into another local organization, carrying their confidence with them like a well-packed saddlebag.

This month, we celebrated four remarkable girls who climbed to new heights.

All four came through our Equine Program, where partnerships with horses have a way of shaping courage, trust, and quiet confidence.

Isabell and Natalie both stepped up from Level 1 into the next tier, where their work takes on more depth and connection. They’re about to build a far more intuitive relationship with their horses, and we can’t wait to see those stories unfold.

Abby brought her trademark joy to every corner of the ceremony. Her energy filled the space like a warm breeze, and her steady accomplishments continue to shine. Keep an eye out for her upcoming photos and stories — they’re worth the wait.

And then there’s Jenna, who graduated from the Equine Program this year. Graduates are always welcome to return for extra training or to help guide younger participants, but Jenna had a rodeo-sized adventure waiting for her. She headed to Harlowtown and entered the Mini Bronc competition. With grit in her grip and courage in her seat, she scored an incredible 80 points for the win. Congratulations, Jenna — what a ride!

The Pumpkin Recipe Contest: Flavor, Fun, and Friendly Competition

Our second big event of the month was the always-anticipated Pumpkin Recipe Contest, where the only rule is simple: make something delicious with pumpkin. And goodness, did our community deliver.

From silky treats to warm, spiced creations, everyone brought their A-game. After plenty of tasting and a flurry of votes, here were our winners:

1st Place: Cassandra, our youngest contestant, with a beautifully made Pumpkin Roll. 2nd Place: Barbra, with her irresistible Pumpkin Bars. 3rd Place: Kayla Johnson, who created a layered pumpkin parfait with the help of her young friend. And our final award, a gorgeous basket of cooking goodies, went to Salina Hunter.

A heartfelt thank-you to every contestant who whisked, stirred, baked, and shared their creations with us. Your dishes brought joy and community to the table, and we hope to see you return next year.

November gifted us growth, courage, creativity, and community. Here’s to the momentum carrying us into the winter season — one stone, one story, and one shared moment at a time.