DECATUR, Ill – University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H shows looked different this year. Traditional in-person events were replaced with a virtual fair platform that was rolled out by Illinois 4-H after in-person activities were cancelled. Macon and Piatt 4-H members quickly adapted to the new option and helped make the 2020 4-H virtual show a great success.
“Despite all the challenges our 4-H’ers faced this year, there were still some awesome projects brought forth at the virtual 4-H show,” says 4-H Program Coordinator Jenna Ward. “Our 4-H members put in so much hard work throughout the year, so getting an opportunity to show mastery in their projects is so important.”
4-H members uploaded photos and a report for each of their projects. Judges viewed the projects and provided feedback to the members. “One of the coolest things that happened when we found out the show was going virtual was the amazing response we received from people all over the country willing to volunteer their time to judge the show virtually for us,” says Ward. “I think one of the farthest judges was Oklahoma.”
Fifty-one 4-H members submitted 106 exhibits in areas such as animal sciences, visual arts, cooking and more. Forty-six exhibits were named Champion exhibits, and 53 projects were chosen as State Fair Delegates for the 4-H state virtual show.
Animal Science
Champion Animal Science Exhibit – Grace Stapf, Monticello
Champion Vet Science Exhibit – Joseph Wenke, Monticello
State Fair Delegates for Animal Science – Grace Stapf, Monticello / Elizabeth Suckow, Oreana
State Fair Delegate for Vet Science – Joseph Wenke, Monticello / Morgan Crouch, Maroa
State Fair Alternate for Vet Science – Josey Wise, Decatur
Creative Arts:
Champion Creative Writing Exhibit – Grace Stapf, Monticello
Champion Interior Design Exhibit – Trinity Mata, Decatur
Champion Photography 1 Exhibit – Grace Stapf, Monticello
Champion Photography 2 Exhibit – Ella Corum, Bement
Champion Photography 3 Exhibit – Sarah Anderson, Argenta
Champion Theatre Arts – Grace Stapf, Monticello
Champion Chalk/Carbon/Pigment Exhibit – Corissa Metcalf, Decatur
Champion Clay Exhibit – Grace Stapf, Monticello
Champion Computer-Generated Art – Corissa Metcalf, Decatur
Champion Fiber Exhibit – Cassandra Block, Bement
Champion Food Decorating – Claire Reedy, Monticello
Champion Glass/Plastic Exhibit – Grace Stapf, Monticello
Champion Nature Exhibit – Reagan Pyatt, Monticello
Champion Paper Exhibit – Grace Stapf, Monticello
Champion Wood Exhibit – Anna Block, Bement
Champion 3-D Mixed Media – Ava Reedy, Monticello
Champion Heritage Arts – Anna Block, Bement
State Fair Delegates for Creative Writing – Grace Stapf, Monticello / Mason Pyatt, Monticello
State Fair Delegate for Interior Design – Trinity Mata, Decatur
State Fair Delegates for Photography – Grace Stapf, Monticello / Sarah Anderson Argenta
State Fair Delegates for Chalk/Carbon/Pigment – Corissa Metcalf, Decatur
Trinity Mata, Decatur, Cassandra Block, Bement and Claire Reedy, Monticello
State Fair Delegate for Fiber – Cassandra Block, Bement
State Fair Delegate for Food Decorating – Claire Reedy, Monticello / Hannah Warnick, Macon
State Fair Delegate for Computer Generated Art – Corissa Metcalf, Decatur
State Fair Delegate for Glass/Plastic – Grace Stapf, Monticello
State Fair Delegate for Nature – Reagan Pyatt, Monticello / Sarah Anderson, Argenta
State Fair Delegate for 3-D Mixed Media – Ava Reedy, Monticello / Sarah Anderson, Argenta
State Fair Alternate for Computer Generated Art – Trinity Mata, Decatur
State Fair Alternate for Nature – Joseph Wenke, Monticello
State Fair Alternate for Food Decorating – Tanisha Gardet, Decatur / Grace Stapf, Monticello
Environmental Sciences
Champion Crop Exhibit – Jeremiah Wenke, Monticello
Champion Forestry Exhibit– Josey Wise, Decatur
Champion Floriculture Exhibit – Joseph Wenke, Monticello
Champion Vegetable Gardening Exhibit – Gabrielle Block, Bement
Champion Plants & Soils Exhibit – Cole Rappe, Macon
Champion Natural Resources Exhibit – Josey Wise, Decatur
Champion Weather Exhibit – Samuel Wise, Decatur
State Fair Delegate for Crops – Jeremiah Wenke, Monticello
State Fair Delegate for Forestry – Josey Wise, Decatur
State Fair Delegates for Floriculture – Joseph Wenke, Monticello / Taylor Crouch, Maroa
State Fair Delegates for Vegetable Gardening – Gabrielle Block, Bement / Della Taylor, Monticello
State Fair Delegate for Plants & Soils – Cole Rappe, Macon
State Fair Delegate for Natural Resources – Josey Wise, Decatur
State Fair Delegate for Weather – Samuel Wise, Decatur
State Fair Alternate for Forestry –Sarah Anderson, Argenta
STEM
Champion Aerospace Exhibit – Owen Raleigh, Decatur
Champion STEAM Clothing 1 Exhibit – Logan Pyatt, Monticello
Champion STEAM Clothing 2 Exhibit – Ella Corum, Bement
Champion STEAM Clothing 3 Exhibit – Hannah Warnick, Macon
Champion Shopping in Style Exhibit – Sarah Anderson, Argenta
Champion Computer Science Exhibit – Lucas Morrell, Decatur
Champion Electricity Exhibit – Anna Block, Bement
Champion Robotics Exhibit – Noah Suckow, Oreana
Champion Technology Exhibit – Ben Pasquariello, Decatur
Champion Tractor Exhibit – William Warnick, Macon
Champion Woodworking Exhibit – Gabrielle Block, Bement
State Fair Delegate for Aerospace – Owen Raleigh, Decatur
State Fair Delegate for STEAM Clothing – Ella Corum, Bement
State Fair Delegates for Shopping in Style – Sarah Anderson, Argenta
State Fair Delegate for Computer Science – Lucas Morrell, Decatur
State Fair Delegate for Electricity – Anna Block, Bement / Samuel Wise, Decatur
State Fair Delegates for Robotics –Noah Suckow, Oreana
State Fair Delegate for Tractor – William Warnick, Macon
State Fair Delegates for Woodworking – Gabrielle Block, Bement, Cassandra Block, Bement William Warnick, Macon
State Fair Alternates for Woodworking – Joseph Wenke, Monticello / Jeremiah Wenke, Monticello
Global Civic Engagement:
Champion Civic Engagement Exhibit – Jacob Wenke, Monticello
Champion Collectables Exhibit – Grace Stapf, Monticello
State Fair Delegate for Civic Engagement – Jacob Wenke, Monticello / Grace Stapf, Monticello
Healthy Living & Nutrition
Champion Cooking 101 Exhibit – Logan Pyatt, Monticello
Champion Cooking 201 Exhibit – Gabrielle Block, Bement
Champion Cooking 401 Exhibit – Hannah Warnick, Macon
Champion Food Preservation Exhibit – Grace Stapf, Monticello
Champion Health Exhibit – Sarah Anderson, Argenta
Champion Child Development Exhibit – Ella Corum, Bement
State Fair Delegates for Foods – Logan Pyatt, Monticello, Gabrielle Block, Bement, Ella Corum, Bement, Anna Block, Bement, Hannah Warnick, Macon, Kaydance Wooton, Weldon, Grace Stapf, Monticello
State Fair Delegate for Health – Sarah Anderson, Argenta
State Fair Delegate for Child Development – Ella Corum, Bement
Public Presentations
Champion Public Presentations – Zachariah Jalley, Decatur
State Fair Delegate for Public Presentations – Zachariah Jalley, Decatur
The 4-H program is provided through University of Illinois Extension and is open to youth ages 8 to 18. Youth learn skills for living by participating in individual or group learning experiences related to more than 200 project areas. More information about Extension and 4-H is available at go.illinois.edu/dmp.