OREGON, Ill.— The 2026 Ogle County 4-H Senior Master Showman winner was Ayden Alderks of Ogle Jolly 4-H Club! The runner-up was Grady Poliska, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club. Other senior participants ages 14-18 included Addison Yordy, Leaf River Busy Beavers 4-H Club; Boone Alderks, Carefree 4-H Club; Max Thurow, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club; and Tessa Bruns, Carefree 4-H Club.
The 2026 Ogle County 4-H Junior Master Showman winner was Jaxon Alderks of Ogle Jolly 4-H Club! The runner-up was Madeline Gainer, Carefree 4-H Club. Other junior participants ages 8-13 were Paisley Poliska, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club, and Stellina Lombardozzi, Carefree 4-H Club.
To earn the title, each participant had to show a pig, steer, and sheep. Showmanship is based on the knowledge of the species; how the participant shows the animal, following directions, moving the animal, setting up, stopping, control and safety of the animal, and the attention given to the judge and animal; and the appearance of the club member, clean and neat, prompt, alert, confident, and courteous.
Congratulations to each of these individuals. The winner of the Senior Master Showmanship contest won a belt buckle, a $100 cash award, and the opportunity to attend the Master Showmanship contest at the Illinois State Fair. The senior runner-up won a $50 cash award. The Junior Master Showmanship winner won a belt buckle and a $50 cash award. The junior runner-up won a $25 cash award.
Cash Awards were sponsored by Hackbarth Farms. Belt buckles were sponsored by Maplehurst Farms, Inc.
4-H is an informal youth education program conducted by University of Illinois Extension. U of I Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in 4-H, contact the Ogle County Extension staff at 815-732-2191.
PHOTO:
| Grady Poliska (Sr. Res. Champ.) and Ayden Alderks (Sr. Champ.) show their animals during the Swine portion of the Master Showmanship contest as Jaxon Alderks (Jr. Champ.) watches. |
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 500 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 five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.