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YORKVILLE, Ill. – Local youth shared talents, skills, and knowledge through 4-H projects at the Kendall County 4-H Shows this August at the Kendall County Fairgrounds. 4-H members present a wide variety of projects, including animal science, career and leadership development, creative arts, environmental sciences, global civic engagement, healthy living and nutrition, and STEM.

“4-H show season is an important – and fun – part of every summer for our members,” said Kim Eisnaugle, 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator. “They get to demonstrate what they’ve learned and accomplished throughout the whole year and make memories with their friends and families.”

Through their 4-H projects, members try new things, build knowledge, and develop life skills to help them now and in the future. The 4-H conference judging process provides youth with valuable presentation experience and feedback to continue growing and discovering into the next year.

“Judges point out strengths and offer advice on what you can improve on for each specific project,” said 4-H teen Michaela Persico of Rockin’ KCs 4-H Club. “It can even relate to future 4-H projects, school projects, jobs, and other extracurricular activities. I have learned a lot of important skills from 4-H and have explored my interests. Even as a senior, I am still learning new skills and doing new projects.”

Each summer, scores of adult community members give back to 4-H through sharing their time and expertise to judge or facilitate 4-H shows, or by sponsoring awards, such a trophies or banners. Several community members and organizations also contribute to the overall Kendall County 4-H shows.

“We greatly appreciate all of our amazing volunteers for giving our youth this positive growth experience,” said Eisnaugle. “Thank you to our Kendall County 4-H show and award sponsors for your support of programs and for recognizing the hard work and dedication of our 4-H youth.”

The 2023 Extension Supporters and 4-H Show sponsors included: Kendall-Grundy Beef Association, MTH Tool Company, 4-H Livestock Auction Committee, Compeer Financial, Friends of Sue Rezin, Heartland Bank and Trust Company, Meadowvale, Inc., In Memory of Bob Brummel, In Memory of Jerry Dalton, In Memory of Robert Fruland, Frank and Cheryl Keller, Kellogg Farms, Kendall County Home & Community Education (HCE); Minooka Grain, Lumber & Supply Company; Dickson Family, Koch Quarter Horses, E.M. McCauley and Sons, Southwest Real Estate, and Wietting Family.

The 2023 4-H Award sponsors were (alphabetical order): Blain’s Farm & Fleet, Gary Brigel, V. Robert Brummel Memorial, Compeer Financial, Noel Cryder Builders, Jerry Dalton Memorial, Dickson Family, Fitzgerald Family, Forget-Me-Not Flowers & Gifts, FNIC Trusted Insurance Advisors, Robert Fruland Memorial, FS Grain LLC, Jim & Beth Garbelman, Grainco FS Inc., Heartland Bank & Trust, Carolyn Herren Memorial, Ron & Patsy Hirsch, Hueber DeKalb Feeds, Frank & Cheryl Keller, Kellogg Farms,  Kendall County Conservation Foundation, Kendall County Home & Community Education, Kendall County Horse Show Association, Kendall County Pork Producers, Kendall-Grundy Beef Association, Koch Quarter Horses, EM McCauley & Sons, Robin Richards McCoy, Meadowvale, Inc., Minooka Grain, Lumber & Supply, MTH Tool Company, Debbie Murray, Olah Family, Kim Olson, P & W Foundry, James Paul Memorial, Mary Ann Petersen, Pete Petersen Memorial, Bev Popp, Charles Rutenberg Realty, Sandwich Veterinary Hospital, Friends of State Senator Sue Rezin, Sandwich Veterinary Hospital, Gordon & Ruth Schobert Memorial, Robert (Bob) Schwartz Memorial, Shala Farms, Southwest Real Estate, Subat Family, Sucich Family, Thanepohn Family, Winding Creek Nursery, Wyffels Hybrids, and Yorkville Junior Women’s Club.

The 2023 Kendall County Fair 4-H general project show results are as follows: (listed by project area, 4-H member name, and 4-H club). Part 1 of the results, featuring animal shows, posted last week.

Awards of Excellence

Animal Sciences:

• Michaela Persico, Rockin’ KCs 4-H Club
• Annelise Veeder, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club

Civic Engagement:

• Michaela Persico, Rockin’ KCs 4-H Club

Creative Arts | Clothing & Sewing:

• Ania Nelson, Stagecoach Trailblazers 4-H Club
• Sadie Grace Nelson, Stagecoach Trailblazers 4-H Club
• Jenna Green, Renegades, Rebels and Rogues 4-H Club
• Adelle Vickery, Stagecoach Trailblazers 4-H Club
• Michael Fitzgerald, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club

Creative Arts | Photography:

• Caitlin Caccitolo, Renegades, Rebels and Rogues 4-H Club
• Adelynn Landers, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Sofie Heidrich, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club

Creative Arts (includes Creative Writing, Communications, Interior Design)

• Jenna Green, Renegades, Rebels and Rogues 4-H Club
• Elizabeth Vickery, Stagecoach Trailblazers 4-H Club

Environment (includes Natural Resources, Outdoor Adventures, Wildlife, Entomology, Geology)

• Annelise Veeder, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Hannah Severson, Boots, Blue Jeans, and Bows 4-H Club
• Anna Green, Renegades, Rebels and Rogues 4-H Club

Food Systems (includes Crops, Floriculture, Horticulture, and Plant and Soil Sciences)

• Faustina Krysciak, Millbrook Mighty Ones 4-H Club
• Liam Hageman, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Max Homerding, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Anna Green, Renegades, Rebels and Rogues 4-H Club
• Therese Krysciak, Millbrook Mighty Ones 4-H Club

Healthy Living (Foods, Cooking, Sports Nutrition, Child Development, and Health)

• Adelle Vickery, Stagecoach Trailblazers 4-H Club
• Adelynn Landers, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Liam Hageman, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Sofie Heidrich, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Anna Green, Renegades, Rebels and Rogues 4-H Club
• Michael Fitzgerald, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club

STEM (includes computer science, aerospace, woodworking, welding, and more)

• Nathan Kwiatkowski, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Nathanael Vickery, Stagecoach Trailblazers 4-H Club
• Finn Casbarian, Spanglish 4-H Club
• Michael Fitzgerald, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Madisyn Glenn, Stagecoach Trailblazers 4-H Club
• Jenna Green, Renegades, Rebels, and Rogues 4-H Club
• Jack Homerding, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Travis Kellogg, Boots Blue Jeans and Bows 4-H Club

Visual Arts

• Jenna Green, Renegades, Rebels, and Rogues 4-H Club
• Marilyn Morel, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Michaela Persico, Rockin’ KCs 4-H Club
• Emma Auten, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Elizabeth Vickery, Stagecoach Trailblazers 4-H Club
• Michaela Persico, Rockin’ KC’s 4-H Club
• Nathanael Vickery, Stagecoach Trailblazers 4-H Club
• Angeleah Wyncoop, Spanglish 4-H Club
• Leah Thanepohn, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Michaela Persico, Rockin’ KCs 4-H Club

State Fair Delegates and Alternates

Many Kendall County 4-H youth had the opportunity to represent our communities at the Illinois 4-H state show on Friday, Aug. 11 in Springfield.

Delegates:

• Clair Anderson, Lisbon Town and Country 4-H Club
• Adelyn Behan, Spanglish 4-H Club
• Vivian Brandt, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Zoey Burscheid, Little Rockets 4-H Club
• Caitlin Caccitolo, Renegades, Rebels and Rogues 4-H Club
• Finn Casbarian, Spanglish 4-H Club
• Michael Fitzgerald, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Madisyn Glenn, Stagecoach Trailblazers 4-H Club
• Anna Green, Renegades, Rebels and Rogues 4-H Club
• Jenna Green, Renegades, Rebels and Rogues 4-H Club
• Sofie Heidrich, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Camryn Henders, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Jack Homerding, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Max Homerding, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• John Kellogg, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Tawney Kellogg, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Travis Kellogg, Boots, Blue Jeans, and Bows 4-H Club
• Faustina Krysciak, Millbrook Mighty Ones 4-H Club
• Therese Krysciak, Millbrook Mighty Ones 4-H Club
• Nathan Kwiatkowski, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Lucas Kwiatkowski, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Adelynn Landers, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Marilyn Morel, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Ania Nelson, Stagecoach Trailblazers 4-H Club
• Sadie Grace Nelson, Stagecoach Trailblazers 4-H Club
• Michaela Persico, Rockin’ KCs 4-H Club
• Jay Ramirez, La Menu Modelle 4-H Club
• Annabelle Reeder, Spanglish 4-H Club
• Hannah Severson, Boots, Blue Jeans, and Bows 4-H Club
• Sam Sleezer, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Alexis Steininger, Millbrook Mighty Ones 4-H Club
• Leah Thanepohn, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Annelise Veeder, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Adelle Vickery, Stagecoach Trailblazers 4-H Club
• Elizabeth Vickery, Stagecoach Trailblazers 4-H Club
• Nathanael Vickery, Stagecoach Trailblazers 4-H Club
• Lily Westphal, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Angeleah Wyncoop, Spanglish 4-H Club
• Serafina Wyncoop, Spanglish 4-H Club
• Boots, Blue Jeans, and Bows 4-H Club (for intercultural group project): Tim Blanchard, Zeke Blanchard, Alivia Kellogg, Natalie Nelson, Adrianna Rodriguez, Sophia Rodriguez, Hannah Severson, and Jacob Severson

Alternates:

• Emma Auten, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Elin Brummel, The Dream Catchers 4-H Club
• Lillianna Casbarian, Spanglish 4-H Club
• Michael Fitzgerald, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Madisyn Glenn, Stagecoach Trailblazers 4-H Club
• Anna Green, Renegades, Rebels and Rogues 4-H Club
• Jenna Green, Renegades, Rebels and Rogues 4-H Club
• Liam Hageman, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Sofie Heidrich, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Camryn Henders, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Jack Homerding, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Tawney Kellogg, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club
• Faustina Krysciak, Millbrook Mighty Ones 4-H Club
• Therese Krysciak, Millbrook Mighty Ones 4-H Club
• Thomas Kwiatkowski, Barn and Beyond 4-H Club

• Adelynn Landers, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Abi Munar, Millbrook Mighty Ones 4-H Club
• Michaela Persico, Rockin’ KCs 4-H Club
• Annemarie Ralston, Denim and Dust 4-H Club
• Annabelle Reeder, Spanglish 4-H Club
• Sam Sleezer, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Kassandra Speerly, Independent 4-H Member
• Nathanael Vickery, Stagecoach Trailblazers 4-H Club
• Allison Wallin, The Dream Catchers 4-H Club
• Lily Westphal, Kendall County Country Kids 4-H Club
• Angeleah Wyncoop, Spanglish 4-H Club

“4-H programs and experiences strive to help youth gain a sense of belonging, develop independence, give back to their communities, and master skills,” said Eisnaugle. “The annual 4-H shows at the fair bring it all together as we celebrate the completion of this 4-H year and look ahead to a new 4-H year in the fall.”

This fall, join us for the annual 4-H Kick Off event, which will be Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. at the Kendall County Fairgrounds. For more information about 4-H in Kendall County, visit go.illinois.edu/info4Hdkk.

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.