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 savings bond.

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

Krissy Fowler of Chicora was named the Outstanding Youth for the 2008 Big Butler Fair and received a trophy and a $100 savings bond 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. Three additional finalists were recognized and awarded savings bonds. The finalists included Beth Larson of Harmony, Faith Govan of Valencia and Sara Mabold of West Sunbury.

In the 4-H and FFA Livestock Judging category, Faith Govan was recognized as the high point individual in the senior division, Laura Metrick of Butler in the intermediate division and Hannah Govan of Valencia in the junior division.

Horse and Pony division award recipients included Krissy Fowler, Grooming and Showmanship, Senior; Kellie Grabe of Butler, Grooming and Showmanship, Intermediate; and Dakota Roy of Butler, Grooming and Showmanship, Junior.

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

Kelsey Lackey of Chicora earned the Champion Contest Horse award, and Erin Turner of Renfrew was recognized for Champion Contest Pony. Mackenzie Shuler of Butler earned Champion Western Horse honors, and Aubrie Randolph of Portersville received the Champion Western Pony award. Also receiving awards in the Horse and Pony division were Krissy Fowler for Champion English Horse along with Sonia Sacco of Butler and Bridget Miller of Evans City with a tie for Champion English Pony.

Dairy division award recipients are recognized for their showmanship skills and for exhibiting the champion animals by breed. Sarah Leslie of Connoquenessing received the award for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21 and Leighton Meals of Connoquenessing for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15. Trisha Covert of Chicora was recognized for Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; Jake Booher of New Castle for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11; and Jacob Kennedy of Valencia 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: Larissa Lesney of Butler, Jersey; Leighton Meals of Connoquenessing, Holstein; Zach Speer of Portersville, Ayrshire; Andy Tuzikow of Butler, Brown Swiss; Trisha Covert, Guernsey; and Zach Speer, Milking Shorthorn.

In addition, Larissa Lesney was recognized as the exhibitor of the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Grand Champion All Breeds and Leighton Meals as the exhibitor of the Best 4-H or FFA Supreme Reserve Grand Champion All Breeds. Jordan Kennedy of Butler 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, Faith Govan received the award for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21; Gilbert Osche of Cabot for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15; Jonny Merten of Evans City, Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; and Sara Lang of Harrisville for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11. Gilbert Osche exhibited the Grand Champion Market Steer, and Amber Stewart of West Sunbury received the award for Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer. Jacob Salvatora of Butler exhibited the Supreme Heifer.

Sheep division award recipients included Mindy Stoops of West Sunbury for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21; Adam Drake of Slippery Rock for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15; Taylor Huff of Butler for Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; Paul Drake of Slippery Rock for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11; and Julianna DiPippa of Butler for Showmanship, ages 8 to 9.

Taylor Huff received the award for Grand Champion Market Lamb, and Luke Laughlin of Butler for Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb. The award for Supreme Ewe went to Tanis Huff of Butler.

Faith Govan received the award for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21 in the Swine division; Tanis Huff for Showmanship, ages 14 to 15; Joshua DiPippa of Butler for Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; Jacob Laughlin of Butler for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11; and Julianna DiPippa for Showmanship, ages 8 to 9.

Faith Govan was recognized for exhibiting the Grand Champion Market Hog, and Hannah Govan exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog. Hannah Govan also received the award for Supreme Gilt.

Dairy goat division award recipients included Sara Mabold of West Sunbury for Showmanship, ages 16 to 21; Stacy Arner of Valencia for Showmanship, ages 12 to 13; and Erin Grigorovich of Connoquenessing for Showmanship, ages 10 to 11.

In the Home and Garden division, Debbie Rockwell of Slippery Rock and Stacie Rippey of Butler tied for the Senior Girl or Boy award, Hannah Dunlap of Saxonburg was recipient of the Intermediate Girl or Boy award, and Sarah Dunlap of Saxonburg was recipient of the Junior Girl or Boy award.

The future of Butler County rests in the hands of its young people. 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.