PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. – Creativity and skills were on full display at the Perry County Fair as 4-H members shared their annual projects at the general show. The following week, those that have a love for baking shared tasty and beautifully decorated items at the foods show that was held at the Pinckneyville Community Center.
Following the 2020 summer of virtual exhibits, participants were anxious for the return of in-person shows. Members were judged in areas such as visual arts, photography, food and nutrition, floriculture, and much more. 4-H members that receive state delegation will have the opportunity to display their projects at the Illinois State Fair on August 14 in Springfield.
Those selected for delegates for the state fair are:
Anna Bathon – Cooking 201
Leah Bathon – Natural Resources Wildlife, Scrapbooking, Weather and Climate Science
Emily Bender – Floriculture Display
Cassandra Braun – Fiber Visual Arts
Isla Calderon – Robotics 1
James Epplin – Vegetable Gardening Display
Claira Folden – Photography 1
Delainey Griffin – Cooking 101
Carly Heisner – Chalk/Carbon/Pigment Visual Arts
Avery Kellerman – Food Preservation
Kaleb Kellerman – Geology Innovation
Lydia Kocian – Paper Visual Arts
Allison Leonard – Photography 1
Jenna Opp – Floriculture, Wood Visual Arts, Cooking 401
Jessie Pyatt – Heritage Arts
Sarah Restoff – Civic Engagement, Creative Writing, Tractor, Original Speech, Intercultural
Harrison Still – Cooking 101
Steven Still – Floriculture, Vegetable Gardening
Allison Szostak – Child Development, Civic Engagement, Family Heritage, Health 3, Photography, Scrapbooking, and Woodworking
William Szostak – Health 1
Dayton Wesseln- Food Decorating
Mackenna Wesseln- Sewn Clothing
Addison Willis – Cooking 201
Brooklyn Willis- Creative Writing, Journalism
Those selected for alternates for the state fair are:
Leah Bathon – Cooking 201
Erin Bender – Photography 1, Cooking 101
Isla Calderon – Cooking 101
Jayden Clark – Woodworking
Lexi Cobin – Cooking 401
Nevaeh Kirchner – Cooking 101
Abigail Luthy – Simply Sewing Sewn Clothing
Jenna Opp – Food Preservation
Mackenna Wesseln – Cooking 301
The youngest 4-H members, known as Cloverbuds, also received a green ribbon in recognition for participation in the fair. The 2021 Cloverbud participant for Perry County are Francis Calderon, Luke Epplin, Harper Giacomo, Rowan Giacomo, Audrey Mathis, Clara Mathis, Emerson Mohr, Silas Schwarz, and Alyvia Suhr.
WRITER: Heather Willis, marketing and communications coordinator, hdwillis@illinois.edu, (618) 357-2126
SOURCE: Rhonda Shubert, 4-H program coordinator, rkshuber@illinois.edu, (618) 357-2126
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.