Urbana, Ill. – Sixty 4-H youth participated in the State 4-H Livestock Skillathon in the Stock Pavilion on University of Illinois campus. Participants went through the contest and then participated in a learning workshop to better prepare for next year’s contests in the summer and fall.
The contest included a livestock knowledge quiz, hay judging, wool judging, and the identification of breeds, feeds, meat cuts, and equipment.
“Livestock Skillathons are a great opportunity for 4-H’ers who love learning about livestock and the animal agriculture industry,” says Myla Munro, University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development educator. “Skillathons allow youth to demonstrate and expand their knowledge through experiential learning, while also providing an opportunity to develop life skills like critical thinking and problem solving.”
Winners in the Junior Division included Delaney Crouch, Macon County, first place; Adelyn Earing, McLean County, second place; Ashlyn Hatfield, Crawford County, third place; Joel Crider, McLean County, fourth place; Knute Gudmunson, DeKalb County, fifth place; Raylon Schreiner, Logan County, sixth place; Mason Short, Logan County, seventh place; Alice Conner, Champaign County, eighth place; Scarlett Schleich, Knox County, ninth place; and Clara Chappell, Kankakee County, tenth place.
Winners in the Intermediate Division included Gracie Walker, Hamilton County, first place; Preston Howell, DeWitt County, second place; Abigail Wamsley, Christian County, third place; Lily DeAth, Vermilion County, fourth place; Lucy DeAth, Vermilion County, fifth place; Kalen Setterdahl, Knox County, sixth place; Reagan Shike, Mercer County, seventh place; Jolie Johnson, Henderson County, eighth place; Hunter Smith, Scott County, ninth place; Brianna Tebbe, Clinton County, tenth place.
Winners of the Senior Division included: Benjamin Wamsley, Christian County, first place; Addison Tebbe, Clinton County, second place; Morgan Crouch, Macon County, third place; Claire Kuipers, McLean County, fourth place; Carter Joiner, Macoupin County, fifth place; Jayla Ledford, Washington County, sixth place; Jolee Maharas, McLean County, seventh place; Aleya Bare, Edwards County, eighth place; Ella Douglas, Marion County, ninth place; Faustina Krysciak, Kendall County, tenth place.
This skillathon event serves as a preparation event for the Superior Young Producers Skillathon, which is held annually at the Illinois State Fair. The contest was hosted by the Illinois State 4-H Livestock Ambassador Team and the University of Illinois Department of Animal Science.
Source: Dan Jennings, Illinois 4-H Educator, djjennin@illinois.edu
Writer: Carissa Nelson, Media Communications Manager, 4-H State Office, carissa7@illinois.edu
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.