Youths 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 youths, the fair annually recognizes the outstanding Butler County 4-H and FFA members who actively participate.

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 department participation. Recipients of awards were awarded a savings bond and certificate of recognition.

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

Sarah Laughlin of Butler was named the Outstanding Youth for the 2013 Big Butler Fair and received a trophy. 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 awards committee.

Finalists for the award are interviewed by a selection committee and chosen for their participation in fair activities, leadership and cooperation during fair week. Finalists recognized were Sara Lang of Harrisville, Jonny Merten of Evans City, Devin Campbell of Chicora and Brock King of Karns City.

In the 4-H and FFA Livestock Judging category, Brock was recognized as the high point individual in the senior division, Jacob Kennedy of Valencia in the intermediate division and David Schultheis of Karns City in the junior division.

Horse and pony division award recipients included Shelby Miller of Zelienople, grooming and showmanship, Senior; Madeline McEachin of West Sunbury, Grooming and Showmanship, Intermediate; and Macie Helch of Chicora, Grooming and Showmanship, Junior. Additional awards in the Horse and Pony division are based on accumulated points for placings in designated classes. Mariah Helch of Chicora earned the Champion Contest Horse award and Allie Palmer of Slippery Rock was recognized for Champion Contest Pony. Madeline McEachin earned Champion Western Horse honors and Allie Palmer received the Champion Western Pony award. Also receiving an award in the Horse and Pony division was Madison Helch of Chicora for Champion English Pony.

Dairy division award recipients are recognized for their showmanship skills and for exhibiting the champion animals by breed. Trisha Covert of Chicora received the award for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21 and Robin Peters of Connoquenessing for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15. Jacob Kennedy of Valencia was recognized for Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; Madalyn Fry of Butler for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11; and Emma Bowser of Slippery Rock 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: Charlene Rosenberger of Sarver, Jersey; Robin Peters, Holstein and Ayrshire; R.J. Fisher of Portersville, Brown Swiss; and Trisha Covert, Guernsey.

Robin Peters was recognized as the exhibitor of the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Reserve Grand Champion All Breeds. Mark Galante of Butler exhibited the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Junior Grand Champion All Breeds. Trisha Covert exhibited the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Reserve Grand Champion All Breeds and Robin Peters was recipient of the award for Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Reserve Junior Grand Champion All Breeds.

In the Beef cattle division, Sara Lang received the award for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21; Shane Harvey of Chicora for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15; MaKayla King of Karns City, Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; and Taylor Kennedy of Valencia for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11. MaKayla King exhibited the Grand Champion Market Steer and Jonny Merten received the award for Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer. Shane Harvey exhibited the Supreme Heifer.

Sheep division award recipients included Joshua DiPippa of Renfrew for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21; Alyssa DiPippa of Renfrew for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15; Codi Misera of Butler for Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; Benjamin Drake of Slippery Rock for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11; and David Schultheis for Showmanship, ages 8 to 9.

Brooklyn Peters of Connoquenessing received the award for Grand Champion Market Lamb and Jacob Kennedy received the award for Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb. The award for Supreme Ewe went to Sara Lang.

Sarah Laughlin of Butler received the award for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21 in the Swine division; Hannah Govan of Valencia, ages 14 to 15; Julianna DiPippa of Renfrew for Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; and Taylor Kennedy for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11. Hannah Govan was recognized for exhibiting the Grand Champion Market Hog and Sarah Laughlin exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog. Taylor Kennedy also received the award for Supreme Gilt.

Dairy goat division award recipients included Stacy Arner of Valencia for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21; Ashley Frye of Evans City for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15; Ivie Scott of Butler for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11 and Apryl Scott of Butler for Showmanship, ages 8 to 9.

Robert Vaerewyck of Tarentum was recognized for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21 in the Rabbit division along with Shirlann Harmon of Evans City, Showmanship ages 12 to 13; and Jonathan Harmon of Evans City, Showmanship ages 8 to 9. Shirlann Harmon received the award for Grand Champion All Breeds and Riley Rodgers of Butler received the award for Reserve Grand Champion All Breeds.

In the Home and Garden division, Julie Worst of Butler received the award for the Senior Girl or Boy award, Shirlann Harmon was recipient of the Intermediate Girl or Boy award, and Tyler Young of Butler 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.