OREGON, Ill. - The Ogle County 4-H Fair was held July 31 - August 4, 2024, at the Ogle County Fairgrounds in Oregon, where 446 4-H project exhibits were judged on and showcased by Ogle County's 284 4-H members in 13 clubs.
4-H fairs are held nationally to allow youth to exhibit a product that has resulted from an in-depth yearlong study in an area of interest to them. As part of the exhibition, non-animal exhibitors meet one-on-one with project judges to receive feedback about their displays and gather ideas for future project expansion.
At the Ogle County 4-H Fair, competition exists at two levels. 4-H’ers first compete against themselves for exhibit ratings. Every exhibit--animal or non-animal--is assigned a rating of blue, red, or white. Blue ratings are awarded to youth with entries that meet class guidelines and represent high-quality work. White ratings are assigned when entries do not meet class guidelines or exhibits are low quality. Red ribbons are assigned for exhibits falling somewhere in between.
Once ratings have been assigned, all blue-rating award winners compete against one another to become class champions or overall division winners. Some blue-awarded non-animal exhibits are also selected each year to represent Ogle County 4-H at the Illinois State Fair.
Many thanks go to the hundreds of 4-H leaders, helpers, fair committee members, judges, auctioneers, and supporters who make this annual educational extravaganza possible!
Aerospace
Top of Class Model Rocketry Exhibit.................................... Maxx Wiltfang, Leaf River Busy Beavers 4-H Club
Grand Champion Aerospace Exhibit............................ Maxx Wiltfang, Leaf River Busy Beavers 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Aerospace Exhibit........ Eralynn Wiltfang, Leaf River Busy Beavers 4-H Club
Animal Science:
Top of Class Beef Study Exhibit (3 or more years).............. Addison Yordy, Leaf River Busy Beavers 4-H Club
Top of Class Cat Study Exhibit (1 – 2 years) ..................................... Lauren Hickman, By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club
Top of Class Cat Study Exhibit (3 or more years) .......... Kaden Lingbeck, Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club
Top of Class Dog Study Exhibit (1 – 2 years) .......... Kenzie Hongsermeier, Leaf River Busy Beavers 4-H Club
Top of Class Dog Study Exhibit (3 or more years) ......................... Anne Kennedy, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Top of Class Goat Study Exhibit (1 – 2 years)................................................... Bristol Clark, Carefree 4-H Club
Top of Class Goat Study Exhibit (3 or more years)...................... Aylivia Danekas, Pine Creek Valley 4-H Club
Top of Class Guinea Pig Study Exhibit (1 – 2 years)....................................... Chloe Felda, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Top of Class Horse & Pony Study Exhibit (1 – 2 years)... Lydia Sherburn, Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club
Top of Class Horse & Pony Study Exhibit (3 or more years)..................... Charlie DeShazo, Carefree 4-H Club
Top of Llama/Alpaca Study Exhibit (1 – 2 years)...................... Elizabeth Kennedy, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Top of Class Llama/Alpaca Study Exhibit (3 or more years)........ Jenna Heller, Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club
Top of Class Poultry Study Exhibit (1 – 2 years)............................. Hayden Capes, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Top of Class Poultry Study Exhibit (3 or more years)................................ Shelby Harbaugh, Carefree 4-H Club
Top of Class Rabbit Study Exhibit (1 – 2 years).................................... Leo Day, Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club
Top of Class Rabbit Study Exhibit (3 or more years).................... Aylivia Danekas, Pine Creek Valley 4-H Club
Top of Class Small Pets Study Exhibit (1 – 2 years)......................... Leo Koziol, Ogle County Clovers 4-H Club
Grand Champion Animal Science Exhibit.......................................... Shelby Harbaugh, Carefree 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Animal Science Exhibit... Addison Yordy, Leaf River Busy Beavers 4-H Club
Child Development
Top of Class Child Development.................................................................. Anna Marquardt, Carefree 4-H Club
Grand Champion Child Development Exhibit...................................... Anna Marquardt, Carefree 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Child Development Exhibit....................... Kaitlyn Adams, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
College and Career Readiness
Top of Class Build Your Future.................................................................... Anna Marquardt, Carefree 4-H Club
Computer Science
Top of Class Beginning Visual Programming Exhibit.......................... Jabob Feldhaus, By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club
Top of Class Advanced Visual Programming Exhibit.......... David Wehler, Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club
Grand Champion Computer Science Exhibit.............. David Wehler, Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Computer Science Exhibit............... Jacob Feldhaus, By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club
Creative Writing
Top of Class Creative Writing Exhibit.................................. David Wehler, Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club
Crops
Top of Class Soybeans Exhibit..................................................................... Cooper Alderks, Carefree 4-H Club
Top of Class Corn Exhibit.............................................................................. Cooper Alderks, Carefree 4-H Club
Top of Class Small Grains Exhibit................................................................. Cooper Alderks, Carefree 4-H Club
Top of Class Hay Exhibit................................................................................... Wesley Clark, Carefree 4-H Club
Grand Champion Crops Exhibit............................................................. Cooper Alderks, Carefree 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Crops Exhibit.............................................. Cooper Alderks, Carefree 4-H Club
Drones: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Systems
Top of Class UAV Display.............................................................. Trent Heller, Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club
Grand Champion Drones:
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Systems Exhibit......................... Trent Heller, Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club
Electricity
Top of Class Electricity I Exhibit...................................................................... Owen Collins, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Top of Class Electricity II Exhibit ........................................................ Cora Herring, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Grand Champion Electricity Exhibit........................................... Cora Herring, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Electricity Exhibit........................................ Owen Collins, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Entomology General
Top of Class Entomology I Exhibit..................................................... James Runte, Pine Creek Valley 4-H Club
Entomology Beekeeping
Top of Class Beekeeping I Exhibit......................................... Gregory Dorwaldt, Ogle County Clovers 4-H Club
Grand Champion Entomology Exhibit.......................... Gregory Dorwaldt, Ogle County Clovers 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Entomology Exhibit........................ James Runte, Pine Creek Valley 4-H Club
Family Heritage
Top of Class Family Heritage Exhibit............................................ Harmony Coy, Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club
Grand Champion Family Heritage Exhibit........................... Harmony Coy, Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Family Heritage Exhibit......... Bethany Akins, Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club
Geology
Top of Class Geology Pebble Pups I Exhibit............................................. Shelby Harbaugh, Carefree 4-H Club
Top of Class Geology Pebble Pups II Exhibit........................................ Colton Gehrke, By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club
Grand Champion Geology Exhibit.................................................. Colton Gehrke, By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Geology Exhibit....................................... Shelby Harbaugh, Carefree 4-H Club
Health
Top of Class Health III Exhibit......................................... Lydia Sherburne, Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club
Grand Champion Health Exhibit............................... Lydia Sherburne, Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club
Horticulture: Floriculture
Top of Class Floriculture A Exhibit ........................................... Hunter Kremske, Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club
Top of Class Floriculture B Exhibit ................................................................. Lena Janoski, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Top of Class Floriculture C Exhibit ..................................................... Lauren Hickman, By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club
Top of Class Floriculture D Exhibit ................................................................. Mason Zabran, Carefree 4-H Club
Top of Class Floriculture Display...................................................... Nicholas Cassens, By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club
Grand Champion Horticulture: Floriculture Exhibit............... Nicholas Cassens, By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Horticulture: Floriculture Exhibit............... Lena Janoski, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Horticulture: Vegetable, Herbs, & Fruits
Top of Class Herb Container Display Exhibit.................................................. Lena Janoski, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Top of Class Vegetable/Fruit Display Exhibit................................................... Harper Bruns, Carefree 4-H Club
Top of Class Vegetable Plates Exhibit............................................... Alayna Swanson, By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club
Top of Class Vegetable Gardening Display – Other Exhibit............ Ella Beran, Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club
Top of Class Fruit Plates Exhibit............................................... Hunter Kremske, Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club
Top of Class Most Unusual or Odd Shaped Vegetable or Fruit Exhibit............. Tessa Bruns, Carefree 4-H Club
Top of Class Decorated Vegetable or Fruit Exhibit........................................ Alyse Rogers, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Grand Champion Horticulture: Vegetables, Herbs & Fruits Exhibit...... Harper Bruns, Carefree 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Horticulture:
Vegetables, Herbs & Fruits Exhibit ......................................................... Lena Janoski, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Intercultural
Top of Class Passport to the World Exhibit..................................... Anne Kennedy, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Top of Class Diversity & Cultural Awareness, Individual Exhibit Elizabeth Kennedy, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Grand Champion Intercultural Exhibit.............................. Elizabeth Kennedy, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Intercultural Exhibit..................... Anne Kennedy, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Interior Design
Top of Class Design Decisions, Beginning Exhibit............................. Cora Mickley, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Grand Champion Interior Design Exhibit................................... Cora Mickley, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Nature: Natural Resources & Outdoor Adventures
Top of Class Outdoor Adventures Exhibit.................................................. Alex Booker, By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club
Grand Champion Nature:
Natural Resources & Outdoor Adventures Exhibit........................... Alex Booker, By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club
Nature: Fishing & Wildlife
Top of Class Sportsfishing I Exhibit................................................................ Alyse Rogers, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Top of Class Sportsfishing II Exhibit.......................................... Evan Ricks, Leaf River Busy Beavers 4-H Club
Top of Class Wildlife I Exhibit........................................................................... Kodi Hubbard, Carefree 4-H Club
Top of Class Wildlife Level II Exhibit.......................................... Bethany Akins, Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club
Grand Champion Nature: Fishing & Wildlife Exhibit ............................. Kodi Hubbard, Carefree 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Nature:
Fishing & Wildlife Exhibit................................................... Bethany Akins, Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club
Photography
Top of Class Photography 1................................................................ Lauren Hickman, By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club
Top of Class Photography 2................................................. David Wehler, Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club
Top of Class Photography 3....................................................... Katelyn Bowers, Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club
Top of Class Photography Photo Editing........................................... Andrew Hickman, By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club
Grand Champion Photography Exhibit ...................... David Wehler, Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Photography Exhibit............. Katelyn Bowers, Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club
Robotics
Top of Class Junk Drawer Robotics II Exhibit.................... David Bagwell, Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club
Shooting Sports
Top of Class Shooting Sports: Archery Exhibit................................ Anne Kennedy, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Top of Class Shooting Sports: Rifle Exhibit..................................... Hayden Capes, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Grand Champion Shooting Sports Exhibit ........................ Anne Kennedy, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Shooting Sports Exhibit.............. Hayden Capes, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Small Engines
Top of Class Small Engine 1-3 Exhibit........................................................... Kate Costello, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Grand Champion Small Engines Exhibit................................................ Kate Costello, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Tractor
Top of Class Tractor A Exhibit........................................................................ Nolan Adams, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Top of Class Tractor B Exhibit.......................................................................... Wesley Clark, Carefree 4-H Club
Top of Class Tractor C Exhibit............................................................ Cora Herring, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Grand Champion Tractor Exhibit............................................................... Westley Clark, Carefree 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Tractor Exhibit................................. Cora Herring, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Veterinary Science
Top of Class Veterinary Science Exhibit.............................. Adalyn Bocker, Leaf River Busy Beavers 4-H Club
Grand Champion Veterinary Science Exhibit............. Adalyn Bocker, Leaf River Busy Beavers 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion
Veterinary Science Exhibit........................................... Addison Yordy, Leaf River Busy Beavers 4-H Club
Visual Arts
Top of Class Chalk/Carbon/Pigment on Canvas/Paper/Glass Exhibit............... Briley Berns, Carefree 4-H Club
Top of Class Chalk/Carbon/Pigment
on Wood/Metal/Textiles Exhibit............................................. Immanuel Arellano, Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club
Top of Class Chalk/Carbon/Pigment—Non-Original Exhibit....................... Anna Marquardt, Carefree 4-H Club
Grand Champion Chalk/Carbon/Pigment Exhibit...................................... Briley Berns, Carefree 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Chalk/Carbon/Pigment Exhibit................ Anna Marquardt, Carefree 4-H Club
Top of Class Clay Exhibit.................................................................................. Alissa Martin, Carefree 4-H Club
Top of Class Clay—Non-Original Exhibit...................................... Brianna West, Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club
Grand Champion Clay Exhibit..................................................................... Alissa Martin, Carefree 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Clay Exhibit ............................................... Anna Marquardt, Carefree 4-H Club
Champion Computer Generated Art Exhibit............................................... Briley Berns, Carefree 4-H Club
Reserve Champion Computer Generated Art Exhibit....... Zakkary West, Blackhawk Crossing, 4-H Club
Top of Class Fiber Exhibit.......................................................... Elizabeth Kennedy, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Grand Champion Fiber Exhibit.......................................... Elizabeth Kennedy, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Fiber Exhibit............................................... Kaitlyn Adams, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Top of Class Glass Exhibit......................................................... Elizabeth Kennedy, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Top of Class Plastic Exhibit........................................................ Bethany Akins, Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club
Top of Class Plastic Block Art Exhibit.................................... Kason Bocker, Leaf River Busy Beavers 4-H Club
Top of Class Glass/Plastic—Non-Original Exhibit............................................ Lydia Smith, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Grand Champion Glass/Plastic Exhibit.............................. Elizabeth Kennedy, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Glass/Plastic Exhibit............. Bethany Akins, Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club
Champion Heritage Arts Exhibit.......................................................... Shelby Harbaugh, Carefree 4-H Club
Reserve Champion Heritage Arts Exhibit............................. Madeline Kusnierz, Mighty Clovers 4-H Club
Champion Leather Exhibit........................................................ Anne Kennedy, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Reserve Champion Leather Exhibit....................................... Isaiah Akins, Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club
Top of Class Metal Exhibit............................................................. Isaiah Akins, Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club
Grand Champion Metal Exhibit.............................................. Isaiah Akins, Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Metal Exhibit ......................... Elizabeth Kennedy, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Top of Class Nature Exhibit....................................................... Elizabeth Kennedy, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Grand Champion Nature Exhibit....................................... Elizabeth Kennedy, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Nature Exhibit ____________________________Lena Janoski, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Top of Class Paper 2D Art Exhibit............................................................... Anna Marquardt, Carefree 4-H Club
Top of Class Paper 3D Art Exhibit.................................................... Ella Beran, Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club
Grand Champion Paper Exhibit............................................................. Anna Marquardt, Carefree 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Paper Exhibit................................. Ella Beran, Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club
Top of Class Scrapbooking, Beginning Level Exhibit........................... Alayna Doane, Mighty Clovers 4-H Club
Top of Class Scrapbooking, Intermediate Level Exhibit............................... Kaitlyn Adams, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Top of Class Scrapbooking, Advanced Level Exhibit.................................. Anna Marquardt, Carefree 4-H Club
Grand Champion Scrapbooking Exhibit............................................... Anna Marquardt, Carefree 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Scrapbooking Exhibit............................... Kaitlyn Adams, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Champion Three-Dimensional
Design/Mixed Media Exhibit................................................ Briannah West, Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club
Reserve Champion Three-Dimensional
Design/Mixed Media Exhibit......................................................... Lauren Hickman, By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club
Top of Class Wood Exhibit............................................................ Zakkary West, Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club
Top of Class Wood—Non-Original Exhibit................................ Hunter Kremske, Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club
Grand Champion Wood Exhibit............................................. Zakkary West, Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Wood Exhibit......................... Hunter Kremske, Blackhawk Crossing 4-H Club
Welding
Top of Class Welding Exhibit........................................................................ Grace Costello, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Grand Champion Welding Exhibit........................................................ Grace Costello, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Welding Exhibit............................................ Kate Costello, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Woodworking
Top of Class Woodworking I Exhibit................................................ Kayden Barndt, Pine Creek Valley 4-H Club
Top of Class Woodworking II Exhibit............................................. Dawson Mickley, Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club
Top of Class Woodworking III Exhibit.......................................................... Braden Rogers, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club
Top of Class Woodworking IV Exhibit.............................................. Ella Beran, Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club
Grand Champion Woodworking Exhibit............................................. Ella Beran, Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club
Reserve Grand Champion Woodworking Exhibit................................ Owen Smardo, Ogle County Clovers
PHOTO: Isaiah Akins of Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club.
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