We had seven contestants vying for two spots in the King and Queen Contest this year: Taylor Ayers, NBC, Kendall Herren, MMO, Madison Hester RKC's; Kayla Cherry, LMM and Charlotte St. John, OBK, Wyatt Williamson, LTC and James Weissensel, NBC. The voting began for the royalty contest the first of July, the interviews took place toward the end of July and crowning was on Friday evening of the fair on the Family Stage. The 2011 4-H Fair King, Wyatt Williamson was crowned by Janean Leahy 2010 Fair Queen, who also crowned Madison Hester, 2011 4-H Fair Queen. James Weissensel was the 1st runner up for the boys and Kendall Herren was first runner up for the girls, with Taylor Ayers 2nd runner up. Participants received ribbons and the winners will receive their 'I' Bonds from the Kendall County 4-H Foundation.
2011 Kendall Fair Queen, Madison Hester, RKC's
4-H Club and King, Wyatt Williamson, LTC 4-H Club.
The 2011 Illinois Superior Young Swine Producers Award Contest was held on Aug. 10 at the Illinois State Fair. Twenty-two 4-H and FFA members from Illinois competed. "This three-phase competition challenges young people to display their working knowledge of swine production," said Dan Jennings, U of I Extension 4-H livestock specialist.
Each year, five $1,000 scholarships are presented to the highest scoring individuals. Archer Daniels Midland of Decatur and the Illinois State Fair sponsors the contest. Land of Lincoln Purebred Livestock Breeders Association supplies the individual plaques for the scholarship winners. The top five youth receiving $1,000 scholarships include Caitlyn Bowyer, Sumner; Jaylene Jennings, DeKalb; Trey Fecke, Bonfield, Tara Bernard, Newark of Kendall County Country Kids 4-H club, and David Ammann, Highland.
In the judging competition, Bernard was in the top three. Jennings said, "This contest provides youth an opportunity to showcase their knowledge of the industry while competing for valuable scholarships to help them pursue their career goals."
What a group of talented 4-H youth we have, as we had 13 poster entries for the contest sponsored by the Kendall County Fair Association to choose from. The designs were all well done and had much variety in their design. Thanks to all of the youth that participated: two 4-H members even entered two possibilities. The winners of the contest: 1st place – Lauren Brummel, MMO $15; 2nd– Kayla Cherry LMM – $10 and there was a tie for 3rd Becca Burk and Alyssa Theodore– LMM – $5.
The Kendall County Fair and 4-H Show Setup day Sunday before the Fair went very smooth. Much appreciation goes to the families that helped building watch in Smith 4-H Hall. We had nothing reported stolen or broken. The 4-H clubs members and families did a super job. Thanks for helping promote the Office Works recycled item contest, by getting votes. Thanks for keeping the fairgrounds picked up and neat this year. We appreciated all the cooperating parents at the 4-H judging.
Credit goes to all the trophy winners this year; many of the 4-H members who received awards were present at Parade of Champions on Sunday. We still have a couple of items that have not been picked up yet, in our office. Our Kendall County 4-H families should be proud of a "job well done". 4-H Fair Premium Checks will be issued when funds are released from Illinois Premium Fund.
Congratulations to two (RKC) Sr. Division 4-H Club members: Kaitlyn Dudding won two trophies for the second year: Sr. English and Western High Point, Madison Hester won Sr. Western Gaming High point. Becca Brigel (RRR) won the Reserve Sr. English High Point; Sr. Western Reserve was won by Melissa Emma, (BS) and a tie for Sr. Gaming Reserve with Alexis Smith and Richard Marko both of RKC.
Taylor Wade(RRR) won Jr. English High Point again this year and Kristine Stewart, Barn and Beyond (B&B) was reserve Jr. English High Point champion. Stewart also won the Jr. Western High Point Trophy with Kristen Zaeske, (RKC) taking the Reserve Rosette. Thor Hester, won the trophy for Jr. Western Gaming High Point moving up from the reserve Rosette last year and Millie Stewart won the Jr. Gaming Reserve, both are from RKC.
The 4-H Horse committee provided food and drinks. The Kendall County Horse Show Association provided ribbons for all of the classes.
The 4-H Kendall County Dog Show was held July 23, in Smith 4-H Hall and went smoothly thanks to our judges Doris Ehret and Marian Lazzara. Thanks to Amber Cooper who helped in place of Peggy Stasik, Stasik had surgery earlier in the week.
A special thanks to Lou Riemenschneider, who donated the use of her mats, gates, brought vases of flowers for the judges and helped the show run efficiently in one ring without our 4-H superintendent.
Rebecca Winters, seven year 4-H member of Lisbon Town & Country, won Kendall Master Showman for the second year in a row at the Fair on Sunday and participated in the Master Showmanship contest at the Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest at the Illinois State Fair. She receives the trophy donated by the Kendall County Fair Association from Fair Queen Madison Hester.