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

Awards for specific categories are sponsored by individuals and businesses. Winners received a framed certificate and a U.S. savings bond.

On behalf of the Butler County 4-H program, I would like to congratulate the following youth winners:

• Krystle Foertsch of Butler was named the Outstanding Youth 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 award are nominated by department superintendents, 4-H volunteers, FFA advisers and members of the youth awards committee.

Finalists were interviewed by a selection committee and chosen for their participation in fair activities, leadership, and cooperation with others during fair week.

• Debbie Drake of Slippery Rock won the Livestock Judging category's senior division, Adam Drake of Slippery Rock won the intermediate division and Alyssa DiPippa of Renfrew won the junior division.

• In the Horse and Pony division, award winners included Krissy Fowler of Chicora for Grooming and Showmanship, senior level; Haley Schadelmeier of Butler for the intermediate level and Aubrie Randolp of Portersville for the junior level.

Additional awards in the Horse and Pony division are based on accumulated points for placings in designated classes.

Amy Turner of Renfrew earned the Champion Contest Horse award, Kyle Carson of Evans City won the Champion Contest Pony award, Haley Schadelmeier and Krissy Fowler tied for Champion Western Horse honors and Jennifer Plecher of West Sunbury received the Champion Western Pony award.

Also receiving awards in the Horse and Pony division were Alicia Sacco of Butler for Champion English Horse and Kelsey Ripley of West Sunbury 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 Sarah Leslie of Connoquenessing for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15. Andy Tuzikow of Butler was recognized for Showmanship, ages 12 to 13, Trisha Covert of Chicora for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11 and Jake Booher of New Castle for Showmanship ages 8 to 9.

By dairy cattle breed, the following 4-H members were recognized for exhibiting the best animal: Nathan Rassau of Sarver, Jersey; Leighton Meals of Connoquenessing, Holstein; Jessica Hamm of Portersville, Ayrshire; Jordan Kennedy of Butler, Brown Swiss; Cara Stephenson, Guernsey; and William Speer of Portersville, Milking Shorthorn.

In addition, Leighton Meals was recognized as the exhibitor of the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Grand Champion All Breeds and Nathan Rassau as the exhibitor of the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Reserve Grand Champion All Breeds. Erica Leslie of Connoquenessing exhibited the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Junior Grand Champion All Breeds and the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Reserve Junior Grand Champion All Breeds.

• In the beef cattle division, Mindy Stoops of West Sunbury received the award for Showmanship ages 16 to 21, Paul Merten III of Evans City for Showmanship ages 14 to 15, Adam Drake for Showmanship ages 12 to 13 and Sara Lang of Harrisville for Showmanship ages 10 to 11.

Colt Filges of Butler exhibited the Grand Champion Market Steer and Faith Govan of Valencia received the award for Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer. Filges also exhibited the Supreme Heifer.

• Sheep division award recipients included Debbie Drake of Slippery Rock for Showmanship ages 16 to 21, Luke Laughlin of Butler for Showmanship ages 14 to 15, Adam Tuzikow of Butler for Showmanship ages 12 to 13, Paul Drake of Slippery Rock for Showmanship ages 10 to 11 and Alyssa DiPippa for Showmanship ages 8 to 9.

Nichole Laughlin of Butler received the award for Grand Champion Market Lamb and Rebecca Tyson of Slippery Rock for Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb. The award for Supreme Ewe went to Mindy Stoops.

• Nichole Lauglin received the award for Showmanship ages 16 to 21 in the swine division, Crystal Merten of Evans City for Showmanship ages 14 to 15, Sarah Laughlin of Butler for Showmanship ages 12 to 13, Jacob Laughlin of Butler for Showmanship ages 10 to 11 and Hannah Govan of Valencia for Showmanship ages 8 to 9.

Nichole Laughlin was recognized for exhibiting the Grand Champion Market Hog and Joshua DiPippa of Renfrew exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog. Hannah Govan received the award for Supreme Gilt.

• Dairy goat division award recipients included Sara Mabold of West Sunbury for Showmanship ages 16 to 21, Joshua Arner of Valencia for Showmanship ages 14 to 15, Collin Fowler of Chicora for Showmanship ages 10 to 11 and Breanna Fowler of Chicora for ages 8 to 9.

n In the home and garden division, Sandy Hosack of Slippery Rock was recipient of the Senior Girl or Boy award, Ashley Cavey of Cranberry Township was recipient of the intermediate award and Sarah Dunlap of Saxonburg was recipient of the junior 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.