Youth are an important part of the Big Butler Fair and they represent the future of not only the fair, but also Butler County. In honor of our youth, the fair annually recognizes the outstanding Butler County 4-H and FFA members who actively participate 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 savings bond and certificate of recognition.

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

Hannah Govan of Valencia was named the Outstanding Youth for the 2012 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 advisers 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. Finalists recognized were Brittany Foertsch of Butler, Laura Metrick of Butler and Julie Worst of Butler.

In the 4-H and FFA livestock judging category, Brittany was recognized as the high point individual in the senior division, Hannah in the intermediate division and Hailie Mitchell of Evans City in the junior division.

Horse and pony division award recipients included Amanda Lubich of New Castle, Grooming and Showmanship, senior; Madeline McEachin of West Sunbury, Grooming and Showmanship, intermediate; and Kellee Lubich of New Castle, Grooming and Showmanship, junior.

Additional awards in the horse and pony division are based on accumulated points for placings in designated classes. Chelsea Mager of Butler earned the Champion Contest Horse award and Sonia Sacco of Butler was recognized for Champion Contest Pony. Taylor Boscia of West Sunbury earned Champion Western Horse honors and Miranda Stoner of Butler received the Champion Western Pony award. Also receiving awards in the horse and pony division were Amanda for Champion English Horse along with Miranda for Champion English Pony.

Dairy division award recipients are recognized for their showmanship skills and for exhibiting the champion animals by breed.

Jordan Kennedy of Butler received the award for Showmanship, ages 16-21, and Robin Peters of Connoquenessing won for Showmanship, ages 14-15.

Jacob Kennedy of Valencia was recognized for Showmanship, ages 12-13; Charlene Rosenberger of Sarver for Showmanship, ages 10-11; and Brooklyn Peters of Connoquenessing for Showmanship, ages 8-9.

By dairy cattle breed, the following Butler County 4-H members were recognized for exhibiting the best 4-H or FFA animal: Larissa Lesney of Butler, Jersey; Robin Peters of Connoquenessing, Ayrshire; Jordan Kennedy, Brown Swiss; and Travis Covert of Chicora, Guernsey.

In addition, Trisha Covert was recognized as the exhibitor of the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Reserve Grand Champion All Breeds. Jordan Kennedy exhibited the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Junior Grand Champion All Breeds and Trisha Covert exhibited the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Reserve Junior Grand Champion All Breeds.

In the beef cattle division, Brian Irlbacher of Butler received the award for Showmanship, ages 16-21; Sara Lang of Harrisville for Showmanship, ages 14-15; Jacob Kennedy, Showmanship, ages 12-13; and Taylor Kennedy of Valencia for Showmanship, ages 10-11.

Jacob Kennedy exhibited the Grand Champion Market Steer and Taylor Kennedy received the award for Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer. Connor Harvey of Chicora exhibited the Supreme Heifer.

Sheep division award recipients included Laura Metrick of Butler for Showmanship, ages 16-21; Paul Drake of Slippery Rock for Showmanship, ages 14-15; Jacob Kennedy for Showmanship, ages 12-13; Benjamin Drake of Slippery Rock for Showmanship, ages 10-11; and Elana DiPippa of Renfrew for Showmanship, ages 8-9.

Sarah Laughlin of Butler received the award for Grand Champion Market Lamb and Rachel Laughlin of Butler received the award for Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb. The award for Supreme Ewe went to Michelle DiPippa of Renfrew.

Michelle also received the award for Showmanship, ages 16-21 in the Swine division; Rachel Laughlin for Showmanship, ages 14-15; Julianna DiPippa of Renfrew for Showmanship, ages 12-13; and Taylor Kennedy for Showmanship, ages 10-11. Elana DiPippa and Hailie Mitchell tied and were both presented and award for Showmanship, ages 8-9.

Brittany Foertsch was recognized for exhibiting the Grand Champion Market Hog and Hannah exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog. Hannah also received the award for Supreme Gilt.

Dairy goat division award recipients included Angela Kelley of Evans City for Showmanship, ages 16-21; Erin Grigorovich of Connoquenessing for Showmanship, ages 14-15; Madeline McEachin for Showmanship, ages 12-13; and Luke McEachin of West Sunbury for Showmanship, ages 10-11.

Rebecca Masterson of Butler was recognized for Showmanship, ages 16-21 in the Rabbit division along with Robert Vaerewyck of Tarentum and Anna Glassman of Butler for Showmanship ages 14-15; and Shirlann Harmon of Evans City, Showmanship ages 10-11.

Angela Kelley received the award for Grand Champion All Breeds and Rebecca Masterson received the award for Reserve Grand Champion All Breeds. Angela Kelley was the award recipient for Grand Champion Meat Pen along with Peter McGlashan of Evans City for Reserve Grand Champion Meat Pen. Elizabeth Williamson of Butler received the award for Champion Doe and Litter.

In the Home and Garden division, Brittany Foertsch received the award for the Senior Girl or Boy award, Peter McGlashan was recipient of the Intermediate Girl or Boy award and Benjamin 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 and Rehabilitation Center complex.