Over fifty youth from Winnebago County recently competed at the state level at the 4-H General Project Show held August 9 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. 

The best of the best were on display August 9 at the 4-H General Project Show of the Illinois State Fair. Award-winning 4-H members from across Illinois competed at the county level before advancing to the state level. 

“I am always impressed with the amount of State Fair 4-H attendees from Winnebago County and it continues to grow since coming out of the pandemic,” states Becky Gocken, Winnebago County 4-H Program Coordinator.  “We have so many impressive projects and our members are well-prepared to speak to the judges thanks to our many 4-H volunteers that help them practice.” 

The following youth exhibited in this year’s General Project Show:

• Makenna Arnold- Clothing 1
• Know Beyer- Entomology 1- Inspire Award
• Sophie Bland- Floriculture B
• Izzy Bland- Health 1- Reserve Champion
• Kiera Brown- Passport to the World Club- Reserve Champion
• Colin Brown- Passport to the World Club- Reserve Champion
• Nadia Brown- Visual Arts- Computer Generated Art- Inspire Award
• Abbigail Combs- Welding
• Owen Cordell- Leadership Group- Reserve Champion
• Evan Cordell- Leadership Group- Reserve Champion & Photography 1
• Emma Daly- Visual Arts Scrapbooking- Intermediate
• Eloise Franklin- 4-H Cooking 401 Focaccia Bread
• Lana Hall- 4-H Cooking 101 Coffeecake- Inspire Award
• Anabel Halsted- Floriculture B & Leadership Group- Reserve Champion
• Adelein Halsted- Civic Engagement 1
• Andrew Halsted- Visual Arts:  Chalk Carbon, Pigment A
• Carlie Harms- Photography 2
• Lauren Hart- Visual Arts- You Can Quilt
• Faith Heinisch- Horticulture- Vegetable Plate
• Cecilia Higdon- Passport to the World Club- Reserve Champion
• Gregory Hopkins- Forests of Fun 3- Champion
• Robert Hopkins- Visual Arts- 3D Design/ Mixed Media
• Emma Johnson- Floriculture B
• Jessalyn Johnson- Interior Design Decisions- Beginning- Inspire Award
• Wyatt Johnston- Welding
• Linnea Lyons- Child Development- Inspire Award
• Nathan Lyons- Clothing 1- Sewn Clothing
• Amelia McCray-Grotto- Build Your Future- Champion
• Cheyenne Mech- Aerospace- Model Rocketry- Champion
• Malachaih Miller- Shooting Sports Rifle
• Ivy Nelson- Woodworking 2 & Leadership Group- Reserve Champion
• Lily Nestler- Clothing 1- Sewn Non-clothing
• Thomas Nestler- Pebble Pups 2- Champion
• Oscar Pagles- Visual Arts Metal & Leadership Group- Reserve Champion
• Isabella Reed- Visual Arts Nature
• Katherine Rodriguez- Creative Writing
• Angelina Sirianni- Leadership 2- Reserve Champion
• Rosalie Sirianni- Rock Hounds 1- Inspire Award
• Cayden Stewart- Aerospace Display- Reserve Champion
• Maxmilian Vogrinc- Theatre Arts 3- Reserve Champion
• Amelia Vogrinc- Theatre Arts 1- Champion
• Kaydence West- Shooting Sports Rifle- Champion
• Nathan Wolfe- Beekeeping 1- Inspire Award
• Lydia Wolfe- Heritage Arts
• Jacob Wolfe- Beekeeping 2- Champion
• Linnea York- My Financial Future- Advanced- Champion
• Anna Zimmerman- Fiber

In 4-H, project areas represent the culmination of individual learning paths where youth are able to show off their skills and expertise in front of thousands of fairgoers. Youth also participate in conference judging as a part of the experience. This brings members and volunteer judges together to evaluate project exhibits. It involves one-on-one, face-to-face communication in which the volunteer judge and exhibitor talk directly with each other. This technique provides a unique opportunity for 4-H'ers to learn from their experiences and knowledge of the volunteer judge.  

Winnebago County Winnebago Wide Awakes 4-H Club & Youth Leadership Team member shares, “My experience at the Illinois State Fair was amazing!  I had the opportunity to learn about different topics and to explore what 4-H is really about.  My favorite part was walking around the Orr Building and looking at the other 4-H members’ projects.  Participating at the state fair has helped me realize 4-H is a great organization to be a part of.” 

Competing at the state level is a great educational experience for 4-H youth.  Members are able to compete at a state level, meet with youth across the state, and take the next step in their learning journey by meeting with a volunteer who has expertise in their project area.

Owen Blue Bonnets 4-H member Lily Nestler shares, “I was nervous about how my projects would compare with projects from other counties, but it was a good experience to learn from.  Next year I plan to try new projects and apply for the Youth Leadership Team”

Those who wish to learn more about conference judging in Winnebago County may contact Becky Gocken at the Winnebago County Extension Office at 815-986-4357 or email rgocken@illinois.edu.

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.