EDITORS NOTE: 4-H Show photographs may be found at go.illinois.edu/2023DuPageCounty4HShow
WHEATON, Ill. – The DuPage County Fair in July marked the culmination of the 4-H year with exhibits, animal shows, and activities where 4-H members demonstrated knowledge and skills, and of course, had fun.
“4-H conference judging and show experiences provide youth with valuable presentation opportunities and helpful feedback to continue developing project skills for next year and life skills for the future,” said Nancy Reppe, 4-H Youth Development program coordinator. “Through projects and club activities, 4-H members learn to communicate, make decisions and plans, manage time, and work both independently and with a team.”
In addition to developing life skills, 4-H members can explore dozens of projects in seven areas of study – animal science, career and leadership development, creative arts, environmental sciences, global civic engagement, healthy living and nutrition, and STEM.
They also volunteer and give back to their communities with service projects all year round. In turn, dozens of adult community members give back to 4-H by sharing their time and expertise to facilitate or judge at the shows or by sponsoring awards to recognize the youth achievements.
2023 DuPage 4-H show award sponsors include: Best Inc., Bucaro Funeral Home, Milli Cady, Katie Carso-Liss, Deanna Daly, DuPage County Farm Bureau, DuPage County HCE, Bobbi Ehlers, Ethel J. Marshall HCE, Susan Geraci, Pat Houle, Gene and Patty Johnson, Cathryn Johnston, Denise Kennedy, Mary Lambert, Andrea Leboy, Herbert Lederer DVM, Ken Lemberger, Evelyn Olson, Pat Quetsch, Justice S. Louis Rathje, Salernos Rosedale Chapels, Rose Sirovatka, Judy Valentine, Coleen Walter, Mary Lou Wehrli, Michael and Colleen Wessel, Barbara Wilk, and the Neval Yeates Family.
“We greatly appreciate the support and efforts of the DuPage County Fair Association, and all of our 4-H supporters, superintendents, judges, and other volunteers who give our 4-H youth such an important experience,” said Reppe. “Local 4-H opportunities help youth gain a sense of belonging, develop independence, give back to their communities, and master skills. The annual 4-H show season brings it all together as we celebrate the completion of this 4-H year and look ahead to a new one.”
The 2023-24 DuPage County 4-H Kick-Off will be 2 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 30 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton. To learn more or join the interest list, go.illinois.edu/info4Hdkk.
2023 4-H Show Awards
The 2023 DuPage County 4-H Show results are as follows: (listed by award, member name, city of residence, and 4-H Club).
AEROSPACE
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: William Cook, West Chicago, Winfield Bluebirds 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Alternate: Malcolm Smeltzer, Downers Grove, 4-H Clovers 4-H Club
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Garrett Schnall, Darien, Darien Dragons 4-H Club
ANIMAL SCIENCE
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Rachel Sherman, Westmont, High Hopes 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Delegate: Olivia Rose, Lombard, Opportunity Getters 4-H Club
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Gavin Schnall, Darien, Darien Dragons 4-H Club
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Justin Gergen, Lombard, Trinity Trailblazers 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Delegate: Gavin Schnall, Darien, Darien Dragons 4-H Club
CLOTHING AND TEXTILES
Grand Champion: Ellie Clark, Warrenville, Warrenville Acorns 4-H Club
Reserve Champion: Claudia Meek, Downers Grove, High Hopes 4-H Club
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Olivia Rose, Lombard, Opportunity Getters 4-H Club
COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Gavin Schnall, Darien, Darien Dragons 4-H Club
COMMUNICATIONS/CREATIVE WRITING
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Malayeka Rehman, Downers Grove, High Hopes 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Delegate: Isabella Costilla, Chicago, Trinity Trailblazers 4-H Club
State Fair ALternate: Claudia Meek, Downers Grove, High Hopes 4-H Club
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Simon Smith, Westmont, High Hopes 4-H Club
State Fair Delegate: Elias Carder, Willowbrook, DG Gang 4-H Club
DOG SHOW
Grand Champion Dog Care ages 14-18: Julia Gergen, Lombard, Fur-H Special Interest 4-H Club
Grand Champion Dog Obedience: Gabbi Grammatico, Winfield, Fur-H Special Interest 4-H Club
Grand Champion Dog Care ages 8-13 and Showmanship: Ava Janis, Warrenville, Ku-Du’s 4-H Club
Grand Champion Rally: Kari Wier, Bensenville, Fur-H Special Interest 4-H Club
Reserve Champion Showmanship: Lana Cook, West Chicago, Fur-H Special Interest 4-H Club
Reserve Champion Obedience 2: Meredith Hawkins, Downers Grove, Fur-H Special Interest 4-H Club
Reserve Champion Rally: Ava Janis, Warrenville, Ku-Du’s 4-H Club
Reserve Champion Dog Care: George Kapasouris, Glen Ellyn, Fur-H Special Interest 4-H Club
Reserve Champion Obedience: Shawn Reppe, West Chicago, Fur-H Special Interest 4-H Club
Reserve Champion Obedience 1: Kari Wier, Bensenville, Fur-H Special Interest 4-H Club
EXPLORATORY COLLECTIBLES
Grand Champion: Zachary Mysyk, Lisle, Winfield Bluebirds 4-H Club
FOODS AND NUTRITION
Grand Champion: Claire Bradley, Wheaton, Winfield Bluebirds 4-H Club
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Jerusalem Rassi, Darien, DG Gang 4-H Club
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Maylove Rassi, Darien, DG gang 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Alternate: Ria Rassi, Darien, DG Gang 4-H Club
Reserve Champion: Evvie Clark, Warenville, Warrenville Acorns 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Alternate: Kayli Gergen, Lombard, Trinity Trailblazers 4-H Club
Grand Champion: Catherine Kansa, Lombard, Darien Dragons 4-H Club
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate Sports Nutrition & Food Science: Emma Madsen, Darien, Darien Dragons 4-H Club
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Garrett Schnall, Darien, Darien Dragons 4-H Club
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Rachel Sherman, Westmont, High Hopes 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Alternate: Simon Smith, Westmont, High Hopes 4-H Club
State Fair Alternate: Lana Cook, West Chicago, Winfield Blubirds 4-H Club
State Fair Alternate: Olivia Rose, Lombard, Opportunity Getters 4-H Club
State Fair Alternate: Kari Wier, Bensenville, Trinity Trailblazers 4-H Club
GOATS
Champion Junior Dry: Ava Janis, Warrenville, Ku-Du’s 4-H Club
Champion Senior Milking: Daisy Marwedel, Wheaton, Warrenville Acorns 4-H Club
Champion Junior Showmanship: Ingrid Rozylowicz, Wheaton, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
Champion Senior Showmanship: Lucy Rozylowicz, Wheaton, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
Champion Whether: Lucy Rozylowicz, Wheaton, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
HEALTH
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Garrett Schnall, Darien, Darien Dragons 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Delegate: Hope Dela Rosa, Montgomery, 4-H Clovers 4-H Club
HORSE & PONY
Champion Pony Games: Anyka Bocker, Downers Grove, Ku-Du’s 4-H Club
Champion Wester Pony Halter: Anyka Bocker, Downers Grove, Ku-Du’s 4-H Club
Champion Western Horse Halter: Lainey Murray, Warrenville, Ku-Du’s 4-H Club
Champion Horse Games: Lainey Murray, Warrenville, Ku-Du’s 4-H Club
Champion English Pony Halter: Ava Janis, Warrenvile, Ku-Du’s 4-H Club
Champion English Horse Halter: Ava Janis, Warrenville, Hu-Du’s 4-H Club
INTERCULTURAL PASSPORT TO THE WORLD
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate (Individual): Julia Gergen, Lombard, Trinity Trailblazers 4-H Club
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate (Club): Trinity Trailblazers 4-H Club
Reserve Champion (Club): High Hopes 4-H Club
LEADERSHIP
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Gavin Schnall, Darien, Darien Dragons 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Delegate: Philemon Rassi, Darien, DG Gang 4-H Club
PHOTOGRAPHY
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Garrett Schnall, Darien, Darien Dragons 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Delegate: Morgan Uhlir, Carol Stream, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
State Fair Delegate: Rachel Sherman, Westmont, High Hopes 4-H Club
State Fair Alternate: Matteo Buonincontro, Westmont, High Hopes
State Fair Alternate: Malayeka Rehman, Downers Grove, High Hopes
POULTRY
Champion Bantam: Grace Smith, Westmont, High Hopes 4-H Club
Reserve Champion Bantam: Simon Smith, Westmont, High Hopes 4-H Club
Champion Orn and Production: Kari Wier, Bensenville, Trinity Trailblazers 4-H Club
Champion Pigeon: Lana Batek, Matteson, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
Champion Duck: Daisy Marwedel, Wheaton, Warrenville Acorns 4-H Club
Champion Goose: Samantha Marwedel, Wheaton, Warrenville Acorns 4-H Club
Champion Miscellaneous Poultry: Grace Smith, Westmont, High Hopes 4-H Club
Reserve Champion Miscellaneous Poultry: Simon Smith, Westmont, High Hopes 4-H Club
Champion Junior Showmanship: Simon Smith, Westmont, High Hopes 4-H Club
Champion Senior Showmanship: Kari Wier, Bensenville, Fur-H Special Interest 4-H Club
Champion Egg Production – white: Simon Smith, Westmont, High Hopes 4-H Club
Reserve Champion Egg Production – brown: Simon Smith, Westmont, High Hopes 4-H Club
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Grand Champion/State Public Speaking Contest: Gavin Schnall, Darien, Darien Dragons 4-H Club
RABBITS
Champion Commercial Rabbit: Nora Tobin Newell, Winfield, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
Champion Woolie: Thea Batek, Matteson, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
Best in Show: Nora Tobin Newell, Winfield, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
Champion Fryer: Pepper Rozylowicz, Wheaton, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
Champion Junior Showmanship: Olivia Rose, Lombard, Opportunity Getters 4-H Club
Champion Senior Showmanship: Ally Gochee, Wheaton, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
Champion Fancy: Olivia Rose, Lombard, Opportunity Getters 4-H Club
Champion Fancy Three: Olivia Rose, Lombard, Opportunity Getters 4-H Club
READY4LIFE
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Bryce Giron, Darien, Darien Dragons 4-H Club
SHEEP
Champion Ram: Ava Janis, Warrenville, Ku-Du’s 4-H Club
Champion Ewe: Ava Janis, Warrenville, Ku-Du’s 4-H Club
Champion Junior Showmanship: Ava Janis, Warrenville, Ku-Du’s 4-H Club
VETERINARY SCIENCE
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Julia Gergen, Lombard, Trinity Trailblazers 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Alternate: Simon Smith, Westmont, High Hopes 4-H Club
VIDEO FILM MAKING
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Julia Gergen, Lombard, Trinity Trailblazers 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Delegate: Lucy Rozylowicz, Wheaton, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
VISUAL ARTS | 3-D DESIGN/MIXED MEDIA
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Virginia Lynch, Elburn, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Alternate: Justin Gergen, Lombard, Trinity Trailblazers 4-H Club
VISUAL ARTS | CHALK/CARBON/PIGMENT DIVISION A & B
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Aarohan Dutta, Aurora, Winfield Bluebirds 4-H Club
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Simon Smith, Westmont, High Hopes 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Delegate: Kayli Gergen, Lombard, Trinity Trailblazers
VISUAL ARTS | CLAY
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Bryce Giron, Darien, Darien Dragons 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Alternate: Evvie Clark, Warrenville, Warrenville Acorns 4-H Club
VISUAL ARTS | COMPUTER-GENERATED ART
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Lucy Rozylowicz, Wheaton, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Alternate: Simon Smith, Westmont, High Hopes 4-H Club
VISUAL ARTS | FIBER
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Virginia Lynch, Elburn, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Alternate: Elllie Clark, Warrenville, Warrenville Acorns 4-H Club
VISUAL ARTS | HERITAGE ARTS
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Virginia Lynch, Elburn, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Alternate: Olivia Rose, Lombard, Opportunity Getters 4-H Club
VISUAL ARTS | LEATHER
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Virginia Lynch, Elburn, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
VISUAL ARTS | METAL
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Jerusalem Rassi, Darien, DG Gang 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Alternate: Julia Gergen, Lombard, Trinity Trailblazers 4-H Club
Grand Champion/State Delegate: Ingrid Rozylowicz, Wheaton, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Alternate: Virginia Lynch, Elburn, Whirlybirds 4-H Club
VISUAL ARTS | PAPER
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate (2D): Grace Smith, Westmont, High Hopes 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Delegate (3D): Samantha Marwedel, Wheaton, Warrenville Acorns 4-H Club
VISUAL ARTS | PLASTIC
Grand Champion/State Delegate: Julia Gergen, Lomabrd, Trinity Trailblazers 4-H Club
VISUAL ARTS | QUILTING THE BEST BETTER
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Garrett Schnall, Darien, Darien Dragons 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Alternate: Elllie Clark, Warrenville, Warrenville Acorns 4-H Club
VISUAL ARTS | WOOD
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: William Cook, West Chicago, Winfield Bluebirds 4-H Club
Reserve Champion: Ava Janis, Warrenville, Ku-Du’s 4-H Club
WEATHER
Grand Champion/State Delegate: Garrett Schnall, Darien, Darien Dragons 4-H Club
Reserve Champion/State Fair Alternate: Gavin Schnall, Darien, Darien Dragons 4-H Club
WELDING
Grand Champion/State Fair Delegate: Ava Janis, Warrenville, Ku-Du’s 4-H Club
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