Ten Stephenson County 4-H members battled it out Thursday afternoon, July 24, at the Stephenson County Fair in the annual Master Showmanship Contest. Youth ages 14–18 competed by showing swine, sheep, and beef in this prestigious competition, which tests participants’ skills in handling and knowledge of livestock to identify the most well-rounded and knowledgeable livestock exhibitor.
The contest began at 3:00 p.m. in the Swine Show Ring before moving to the Sheep Ring and wrapping up in the Beef Ring. Contestants were judged on their handling ability, knowledge of each species, and professionalism in the show ring.
This year’s top honors went to Charlotte Musser, who earned first place. Dillyn Heslop placed second, and Brogan Keltner took third. Joining them in the competition were Alaina Dinderman, Addyson Ackerson, Jordan Heimann, Brynn Lamm, Kyla Lamm, Nevaeh Scheffner, and Greyson Zumdahl, who each demonstrated impressive showmanship skills throughout the event."
In addition to the awards given, a cash donation was also awarded to the top three exhibitors in memory of Curt Miller, a longtime Stephenson County 4-H volunteer who loved to watch the Master Showmanship Contest. This special recognition honors his enduring commitment to youth and livestock education in Stephenson County.
The event was co-sponsored by University of Illinois Extension–Stephenson County 4-H and the Stephenson County Farm Bureau, whose partnership helps support and elevate 4-H livestock programming.
Charlotte Musser went on to represent Stephenson County in the Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest on Friday, August 8, in Springfield. She was one of 65 exhibitors who competed for the title of “Grand Champion Overall Master Showman.”
Congratulations to all contestants for their hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship in the show ring.
For more information about Stephenson County 4-H or how to get involved in future events, contact Jen Schultz at the University of Illinois Extension–Stephenson County office at (815) 235-4125 or js80@illinois.edu.
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.