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

 

VISUAL ARTS | NATURE

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