SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois 4-H was honored to partner with Special Olympics of Illinois - Region H, the Illinois State Fair, and Illinois FFA to expand access to participation in livestock shows during the 2026 Illinois State Fair. In the new Sunflower Showmanship program, Special Olympics athletes were paired with experienced 4-H and FFA exhibitors to participate in a show that was held in the Coliseum on Aug. 15.
Volunteer 4-H exhibitors served as one-on-one mentors throughout the day, teaching their mentees what to expect during a livestock showmanship competition. Together, they practiced how to groom and care for livestock, safely lead an animal in the show ring, and present their animal to a judge.
Congratulations to all the Special Olympics athletes who participated:
- Jonas Brandenburg, Williamsville/Riverton
- Hylan Degroot, Winchester Area Special Athletes
- Jackson DeRosa, Williamsville/Riverton
- Princess Duckworth, Chatham Chargers
- Owen Figgins, Cumberland County & Windsor Jr Sr High School
- CharLee Gratton, Chatham Chargers
- George Grayton III (BilLee), Chatham Chargers
- Hunter Hughes, Chatham Chargers
- Noah Kaler, Havana Mighty Ducks
- Presley Moore, not currently affiliated
- Madelyn Pieper, Porta Power
- Willow Potter, Neoga/Siegal Indians
- Sam Ruble, Quincy Embers
- Beckett Sisk-George, PORTA Power
- Samarion Turner, Winchester Area Special Athletes
- Hunter Vass, Chatham Chargers
- Damarius Walter, Chatham Chargers
- Xavier Walter, Chatham Chargers
- Mollie Yates, Chatham and Pleasant Plains
“At its heart, 4-H is about helping young people discover their potential through mentorship, belonging, and hands-on learning,” said Kevin Carey, assistant dean/director, 4-H Positive Youth Development. “Illinois Extension and Illinois 4-H are grateful for the opportunity to have Illinois 4-H youth and volunteers serve as mentors, guiding athletes in and out of the show ring while building meaningful relationships. We are excited to welcome these athletes as participants in the Illinois 4-H program and celebrate the confidence, skills, and sense of community that this experience fosters for everyone involved.”
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.
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.