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 director's chair.

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

Kimberly Dow of Evans City was named the Outstanding Youth for the 2004 Big Butler Fair and received a trophy in recognition of her accomplishments.

Candidates 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 the week of the fair.

In the 4-H and FFA Livestock Judging category, Dawn Lehnerd of Butler was recognized as the high point individual in the senior division, Tomi Huff of Butler in the intermediate division, and Adam Drake of Slippery Rock in the junior division.

Horse and Pony division award recipients included Michele Schnur of Cabot, Grooming and Showmanship, Senior; Krissy Fowler of Butler, Grooming and Showmanship, Intermediate; and Dominique Ellis of Natrona Heights, Grooming and Showmanship, Junior.

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

Adam Schettler of Connoquenessing earned the Champion Contest Horse award, Teddi Seibel of Zelienople was recognized for Champion Contest Pony, and Seth Randolph of Portersville for Champion Western Horse. Erin Turner of Renfrew 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 Amy Turner of Renfrew for Champion English Pony.

Dairy division award recipients are recognized for their showmanship skills and for exhibiting the champion animals by breed. Elaina Rader of Connoquenessing received the award for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21 and Nathan Rassau of Sarver for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15. Kate Booher of New Castle was recognized for Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; Leighton Meals for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11; and Zachary Speer of Portersville 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: Kate Booher, Jersey; Elaina Rader, Holstein and Ayrshire; Erica Leslie of Connoquenessing, Brown Swiss; Nathan Boyle of Evans City, Guernsey; and Zachary Speer, Milking Shorthorn.

In addition, Elaina Rader was recognized as the exhibitor of the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Grand Champion All Breeds, and Nathan Boyle as the exhibitor of the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Reserve Grand Champion All Breeds. Justin Kennedy of Butler exhibited the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Junior Grand Champion All Breeds and Elaina Rader exhibited the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Reserve Junior Grand Champion All Breeds.

In the Beef Cattle division, Dawn Lehnerd received the award for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21; Colt Filges of Butler for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15; Stephen Drake of Slippery Rock for Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; and Crystal Merten of Evans City for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11. Dayna Filges of Butler exhibited the Grand Champion Market Steer and Whitney Edwards of Valencia received the award for Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer. Whitney Edwards also exhibited the Supreme Heifer.

Sheep division award recipients included Rebekah Dunn of Butler for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21; Nichole Laughlin of Butler for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15; Stephen Drake for Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; Michele DiPippa of Renfrew for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11; and Joshua Drake of Slippery Rock for Showmanship, ages 8 to 9.

Rebekah Dunn received the award for Grand Champion Market Lamb and Amy Jo Metrick of Butler for Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb. The award for Supreme Ewe went to Dawn Lehnerd.

Harold Dunn, Jr. of Butler received the award for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21 in the Swine division; Faith Govan of Valencia for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15; Joshua Loomis of West Sunbury for Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; Adam Tuzikow of Butler for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11; and Taylor Huff of Butler for Showmanship, ages 8 to 9.

Rebekah Dunn was recognized for exhibiting the Grand Champion Market Hog and Harold Dunn, Jr. for the Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog. Dawn Lehnerd 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 Calley Bridges of Prospect, Showmanship ages 12 to 13; Richard Vaerewyck of Tarentum, Showmanship ages 10 to 11; and John Fleeger of Butler, Showmanship ages 8 to 9.

Randi Kummer of Renfrew received the award for Grand Champion All Breeds and Joey Cain of Chicora received the award for Reserve Grand Champion All Breeds. Marnie Cain of Chicora was the award recipient for Grand Champion Meat Pen and Reserve Grand Champion Meat Pen. Randi Kummer was also the recipient of the Champion Doe and Litter award.

In the Home and Garden Division, Sam Drake of Slippery Rock was recipient of the Senior Girl or Boy award, Debbie Drake 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.