DECATUR, Ill. — Ninety-nine 4-H members from DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt counties participated on August 13 in the 4-H General Projects Show at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. Volunteer judges named twenty-eight 4-H members Champion, Reserve Champion and Inspire award winners.

The following youth were selected as Champion, Reserve Champion, or Inspire award winners for their county.

DEWITT COUNTY

Gideon Craft, Design Decisions Beginning, Champion
Lillian Hammer, Child Development, Champion
Carter Herring, Electricity 1, Inspire
Lexi Merriman, Animal Science 2, Inspire
Anton Meyen, Geology Innovation Class, Reserve Champion
Tayanna Meyen, Design Decisions Intermediate, Reserve Champion
Callia Meyen, Clothing 2 Sewn Clothing, Inspire
Owen Rexshell, Website Design, Champion
Sirena Troutt, Creative Writing, Champion
Preston Wikoff, Shooting Sports Hunting and Outdoors, Champion

MACON COUNTY

Taylor Crouch, Floriculture B, Champion
Morgan Crouch, Veterinary Science, Inspire
Aubrey Goldman, 4-H Cooking 101 Cereal Bars, Reserve Champion
Quinn Leman, 4-H Cooking 101 Coffeecake, Inspire
Lucy Niebrugge, Heritage Arts, Reserve Champion

Molly Niebrugge, Chalk/Carbon/Pigment Division A, Champion
Jack Rogers, Vegetable Plate, Inspire
Eli Walker, Visual Arts Glass, Reserve Champion

PIATT COUNTY

Annie Blacker, Wood, Reserve Champion
Gabrielle Block, Fiber, Inspire
Emily Harrington, Food Science 1-4, Champion
Makenzie Jones, Tractor A, Inspire
Abby Pilcher, Civic Engagement 1, Reserve Champion
Alec Reedy, Model Rocketry, Inspire
Claire Reedy, Clothing/Sewn Clothing, Reserve Champion
Emiliana Stapf, Visual Arts Paper 3D, Reserve Champion
Michael Trueblood, Sports Nutrition, Reserve Champion
Elinor Woods, Heritage Arts, Champion

Competing at the state level is a great educational experience for youth. Volunteer judges evaluate project exhibits and give 4-H members an opportunity to show off their skills and expertise while benefitting from the expertise of knowledgeable adults.

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 then 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.