4-H youth put their passion and hard work on display at the Knox County Fair 4-H Project Show on July 16.
In 4-H, projects are a way for members to learn about what interest them. Projects spark members to follow their passions, interests, and talents on a new path to career development, enjoyment, and belonging.
Project shows serve as learning opportunities for youth to interact with subject matter experts who serve as judges and provide guidance as youth work toward mastery in their project area.
“You can tell our 4-H members have been working hard all year to learn about their areas of passion. Our volunteer project experts who spoke with our members about their projects at the general show remarked not only on the high quality of the projects exhibited but how well the members shared all they had learned. That kind of growth doesn’t take place while completing a single fair entry but over the course of the 4-H year under the guidance of many caring adult volunteers,” said 4-H Youth Development Educator, Shelby Carlson.
Youth who are awarded blue ribbons will have the opportunity to exhibit and compete at the state level during the Illinois State Fair 4-H General Project Show, August 12 in Springfield.
This year’s Best of Show from Knox County include:
Aerospace: Noah Seiboldt
Animal Science: Shelby Taylor
Cat: Trace Gallagher
Child Development: Shelby Taylor
Civic Engagement: Chris Burgin-Lylte
Clothing & Textiles: Mackenzie Shepherd
College & Career Readiness: Ali Cain
Communications: Abigail Lee
Consumer Education: Ali Cain
Crops: Hannah Maher
Electricity: Seth Hawkinson
Entomology: Ashley Murdock
Family Heritage: Logan Yeutson
Floriculture: Shelby Taylor
Foods & Nutrition: Shelby Taylor
Geology: Gage Jurgensen
Health: Shelby Taylor
Intercultural: Gavin Strom
Interior Design: Ella Soper
Leadership: Hannah Maher
Natural Resources: Gage Jurgensen
Photography: Lily McCormick
Public Speaking: Blake Meeker
Shooting Sports: Chris Burgin-Lytle
Small Engines: Noah Soper
Small Pets: Addisyn Honeyman
Tractor: Grady Anderson
Vegetable Gardening: Adalynn Snyder
Veterinary Science: Rylan Holman
Visual Arts: Katelyn Engel
Welding: Eli West
Woodworking: Noah Soper
General Project Show Specialty Contests and other awards include:
Candy Making Contest – First Place: Lyla Carr
Candy Making Contest – Second Place: Julian Henry
Candy Making Contest – Third Place: Zoey Yeutson
Pie Crust Made with Lard: Julian Henry
Corn Award: Hannah Maher
Soybean Award: Zach Hopkins
Recycled Art Contest – First Place: Phoebe Ulm
Recycled Art Contest – Second Place: Rebecca Johnson
Bob Wright Memorial Award: Grady Anderson
Marilyn Schmidt Memorial Award: Sidney Stiers
Outstanding Beginning Baker Award: Clay Gohlinghorst
To learn more about 4-H experiences in Knox County, visit our website or contact the University of Illinois Extension office.
ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.
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 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.