Youth are an important part of the Big Butler Fair, and in recognition of these individuals, the fair once again sponsored an awards program to recognize the outstanding Butler County 4-H and FFA members who actively participated in Fair activities.

Awards for specific categories are sponsored by individuals and businesses and recognize Butler County 4-H and FFA members for accomplishments in their area of youth department participation. Recipients of awards in specific categories were awarded a framed certificate and a commemorative basket.

On behalf of the Butler County 4-H program, congratulations are extended to the following youth award recipients:

Amanda Mabold of West Sunbury was named the Outstanding Youth for the 2005 Big Butler Fair and received a trophy in recognition of her accomplishments. In addition, she was awarded the use of a stock trailer for one year, sponsored by Altmeyer's Western Wear and Trailer Sales.

Candidates for the Outstanding Youth Award are nominated by department superintendents, 4-H volunteers, FFA advisors and members of the youth awards committee.

Finalists for the Outstanding Youth award are interviewed by a selection committee and chosen for their participation in fair activities, leadership, and cooperation with others during Fair Week.

- In the 4-H and FFA Livestock Judging category, Dawn Lehnerd of Butler was recognized as the high point individual in the senior division, Faith Govan of Valencia in the intermediate division, and Grant McKinnis of Connoquenessing in the junior division.

- Horse and Pony division award recipients included Danielle Spencer of Cabot, Grooming and Showmanship, Senior; Krissy Fowler of Chicora, Grooming and Showmanship, Intermediate; and Grace LeFevre of Kennerdell, Grooming and Showmanship, Junior. Additional awards in the Horse and Pony division are based on accumulated points for placings in designated classes. Amy Turner of Renfrew and Elaina Rader of Connoquenessing tied for the Champion Contest Horse award, Erin Turner of Renfrew was recognized for Champion Contest Pony, and Amy Lukavich of Butler for Champion Western Horse. Amy Turner received the Champion Western Pony award. Also receiving awards in the Horse and Pony division were Stephanie Larry of Butler for Champion English Horse and Bridget Miller of Evans City for Champion English Pony.

- Dairy division award recipients are recognized for their showmanship skills and for exhibiting the champion animals by breed. Cara Stephenson of Chicora received the award for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21 and Kate Booher of New Castle for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15. Jordan Kennedy of Butler was recognized for Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; Michelle Hartzell of Slippery Rock for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11; and Larissa Lesney of Butler for Showmanship, ages 8 to 9.

By dairy cattle breed, the following Butler County 4-H members were recognized for exhibiting the best 4-H or FFA animal: Jacob Rassau of Sarver, Jersey; Ben Hogg of Slippery Rock, Holstein; Jessica Hamm of Portersville, Ayrshire; Erica Leslie of Connoquenessing, Brown Swiss; Cody Stephenson of Chicora, Guernsey; and Zachary Speer of Portersville, Milking Shorthorn.

In addition, Jacob Rassau was recognized as the exhibitor of the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Grand Champion All Breeds, and Ben Hogg as the exhibitor of the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Reserve Grand Champion All Breeds. Jacob Rassau exhibited the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Junior Grand Champion All Breeds, and Justin Kennedy of Butler exhibited the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Reserve Junior Grand Champion All Breeds.

- In the beef cattle division, Dayna Filges of Butler received the award for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21; Colt Filges of Butler for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15; Heather Cox of Evans City for Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; Adam Drake of Slippery Rock for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11; and Paul Drake of Slippery Rock for Showmanship, ages 8 to 9.

Dayna Filges exhibited the Grand Champion Market Steer and Amber Stewart of West Sunbury received the award for Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer. Colt Filges exhibited the Supreme Heifer.

Sheep division award recipients included Elaina Rader for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21; Nichole Laughlin of Butler for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15; Amy Metrick of Butler for Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; Laura Metrick of Butler for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11; and Paul Drake for Showmanship, ages 8 to 9.

Elaina Rader received the award for Grand Champion Market Lamb and Tomi Huff of Butler for Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb. The award for Supreme Ewe went to Mandy McCall of West Sunbury.

- Harold Dunn, Jr. of Butler received the award for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21 in the Swine division; Faith Govan for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15; Tanis Huff of Butler for Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; Taylor Huff of Butler for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11; and Jacob Laughlin of Evans City for Showmanship, ages 8 to 9.

Elaina Rader was recognized for exhibiting the Grand Champion Market Hog and the Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog. Brittany Foertsch of Butler received the award for Supreme Gilt.

- Dairy goat division award recipients included Amanda Mabold of West Sunbury for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21; Sara Mabold of West Sunbury for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15; Joshua Arner of Valencia for Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; and Stacy Arner of Valencia for Showmanship, ages 8 to 9.

- Jessi Kummer of Renfrew was recognized for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21 in the Rabbit division along with Joey Cain of Chicora, Showmanship ages 14 to 15; Richard Vaerewyck of Tarentum, Showmanship ages 12 to 13; Peter Kalmar of Cabot, Showmanship ages 10 to 11; and Robert Vaerewyck of Tarentum, Showmanship ages 8 to 9.

Joey Cain received the award for Grand Champion All Breeds, and Marnie Cain of Chicora received the award for Reserve Grand Champion All Breeds. Steven Allaman of Butler was the award recipient for Grand Champion Meat Pen, and Randi Kummer of Butler received the award for Reserve Grand Champion Meat Pen. Nick Kalmar of Cabot was the recipient of the Champion Doe and Litter award.

- In the Home and Garden division, Sandy Hosack of Slippery Rock was recipient of the Senior Girl or Boy award, Debbie Rockwell of Slippery Rock was recipient of the Intermediate Girl or Boy award, and Adam Drake was recipient of the Junior Girl or Boy award.

The future of Butler County rests in the hands of its young people, and all of the youth who participated in the Big Butler Fair as individuals, as 4-H members, and as FFA members are to be congratulated - not only for their blue ribbons but also for participating in activities that encourage responsibility, cooperation, and sportsmanship.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, Extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing Home complex.