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 Tyson of Slippery Rock was named the Outstanding Youth for the 2006 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 the fair

Other winners are:

• In the 4-H and FFA livestock judging category, Nicole Laughlin of Butler was recognized as the high point individual in the senior division, Stephen Drake of Slippery Rock in the intermediate division, and Sarah Laughlin of Butler in the junior division.

• Horse and pony division award recipients included Danielle Spencer of Cabot, grooming and showmanship, senior; Erin Turner of Renfrew, grooming and showmanship, intermediate; and Breanna Fowler of Chicora, grooming and showmanship, junior. Additional awards in the horse and pony division are based on accumulated points for placings in designated classes. Justin Lackey of Chicora earned the champion contest horse award, Kyle Carson of Evans City was recognized for champion contest pony, and Dannielle Spencer for champion western horse. Aubrie Randolph of Portersville received the champion western pony award. Also receiving awards in the horse and pony division were Dannielle Spencer for champion English horse and Ginger Ullrich of Pittsburgh for champion English pony.

• Dairy division award recipients are recognized for their showmanship skills and for exhibiting the champion animals by breed. Nathan Rassau of Sarver received the award for showmanship, ages 16 to 21 and Sarah Leslie of Connoquenessing for showmanship, ages 14 to 15.

• Cody Stephenson of Chicora was recognized for showmanship, ages 12 to 13; Michelle Hartzell of Slippery Rock for showmanship, ages 10 to 11; and Sara Lang of Harrisville 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: Jessica Hamm of Portersville, Jersey; Sarah Leslie, Holstein; Jessica Hamm, Ayrshire; Justin Kennedy of Butler, Brown Swiss; Cara Stephenson of Chicora, Guernsey; and Sara Lang, Milking Shorthorn.

• In addition, Sarah Leslie was recognized as the exhibitor of the best 4-H or FFA supreme grand champion all breeds and Justin Kennedy as the exhibitor of the best 4-H or FFA supreme reserve grand champion all breeds. Justin Kennedy also exhibited the best 4-H or FFA supreme junior grand champion all breeds and Kate Booher of New Castle exhibited the best 4-H or FFA supreme reserve junior grand champion all breeds.

• In the beef cattle division, Colt Filges of Butler received the award for showmanship, ages 16 to 21; Stephen Drake for showmanship, ages 14 to 15; Gilbert Osche of Cabot for showmanship, ages 12 to 13; Joshua Drake of Slippery Rock for showmanship, ages 10 to 11; and Paul Drake of Slippery Rock for showmanship, ages 8 to 9. Colt Filges exhibited the grand champion market steer and Dayna Filges of Butler received the award for reserve grand champion market steer. Whitney Edwards of Valencia exhibited the supreme heifer.

• Sheep division award recipients included Nicole Laughlin for showmanship, ages 16 to 21; Stephen Drake for showmanship, ages 14 to 15; Adam Drake of Slippery Rock for showmanship, ages 12 to 13; Joshua Drake for showmanship, ages 10 to 11; and Rachel Laughlin of Butler for showmanship, ages 8 to 9.

• Harold Dunn Jr. of Butler received the award for grand champion market lamb and Nicole Laughlin for reserve grand champion market lamb. The award for supreme ewe went to Eric Drake of Slippery Rock.

• Dawn Lehnerd of Butler received the award for showmanship, ages 16 to 21 in the swine division; Rebecca Tyson of Slippery Rock for showmanship, ages 14 to 15; Tanis Huff of Butler for showmanship, ages 12 to 13; Joshua DiPippa of Renfrew for showmanship, ages 10 to 11; and Alyssa DiPippa of Renfrew for showmanship, ages 8 to 9.

• Harold Dunn Jr. was recognized for exhibiting the grand champion market hog and Tanis Huff exhibited the reserve grand champion market hog. Jessica McKinnis of Connoquenessing received the award for supreme gilt.

• Dairy goat division award recipients included Amanda Mabold of West Sunbury for showmanship, ages 16 to 21; Joshua Arner of Valencia for showmanship, ages 14 to 15; and Stacy Arner of Valencia for showmanship, ages 10 to 11.

• 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; Joseph Vaerewyck of Tarentum, showmanship ages 10 to 11; and Robert Vaerewyck of Tarentum, showmanship ages 8 to 9.

• Robert Vaerewyck received the award for grand champion 4 Robert Vaerewyck received the award for grand champion all breeds and Randi Kummer of Renfrew received the award for reserve grand champion all breeds. Elizabeth Williamson of Butler was the award recipient for grand champion meat pen and Steve Allaman of Butler received the awards for reserve grand champion meat pen and champion doe and litter.

• In the home and garden division, Sandy Hosack of Slippery Rock was recipient of the senior girl or boy award, Adam Drake was recipient of the intermediate girl or boy award, and Joshua 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 Home complex.