Holmes Co. Fair celebrates youth, Life Skills honorees

Saturday, Aug. 12 proved to be a day of celebrating Holmes County’s youth during the Holmes County 4-H Awards & Recognition Ceremony in the expo center at Harvest Ridge.

This past year Holmes County 4-H had 23 active clubs, saw more than 1,130 Life Skills projects submitted, more than 1,800 livestock projects were at the Holmes County Fair and more than 200 4-H volunteers helped throughout the year. In addition, there were 90 campers and 15 counselors participating in Cloverbud and Junior Camps.

“We have been busy all year, and we are excited to take this opportunity to celebrate the many great things our young people did this past year,” said Ella Lorentz, Holmes County Ohio State Extension educator.

The day began with the Cloverbud graduation ceremony, in which the newest generation of Holmes County 4-Hers were welcomed into what will be their first year as an official member of 4-H.

That was followed by the recognition of those youth who received County Awards. These award recipients represent top exhibitors who presented projects during the Life Skills challenge.

The show then moved to those members from Holmes County 4-H who were honored as Ohio State Fair delegates.

“There are some 4-H projects eligible to compete at the Ohio State Fair after being selected by our judges in Holmes County,” said Ella Waltman, Holmes OSU Extension assistant program director. “Some individuals made the trip more than once, and others were able to place at the state level.”

Several of these youth received special mention with their effort at the state fair.

Among those receiving special distinction at the state fair were Ethan Uhl, Self-determined Natural Resources, who received an outstanding ribbon at the state fair; Garrett Houin, Entering Electronics, who won Trophy of the Day; Grace Cerniglia, Look Great for Less, who won an outstanding ribbon; Jamie Compton, You and Your Dog, who won Trophy of the Day; Micah Cerniglia, Accessories for Teens, who won an outstanding ribbon; and Noah Cerniglia, Embellish, who won an outstanding ribbon.

Finally, 4-H youth who took their livestock projects to the Ohio State Fair were honored for their accomplishments.

Top honorees who won awards included Reid Coleman, Market Sheep, who won Champion Door Set Advantage Buck; Katelyn Coleman, Market Sheep, who was this year’s 8- to 9-year-old breeding sheep exhibitor winner; Hayden Smith, Market Goat, whose goat was the reserve grand champion heavyweight and fifth overall in Market Goat in the Open Class; Daxton Farr, Equine, who won fourth place in Ranch Riding for 13- to 14-year-olds and also received third place in Junior Ground Roping; and Ian Barr, Equine, who received sixth place in Ranch Showmanship for 16-year-olds, third in Ranch Pleasure for 15- to 16-year-olds, second in Ranch Horsemanship for 15- to 16-year-olds and was tabbed Ranch Horsemanship grand champion overall.

Lorentz commended each of the youth who participated in the day’s event, commenting that it takes a great deal to earn awards and travel to state in any 4-H program.

“They all work hard and do great, and for the Life Skills program, there are only 130 projects to go through, compared to 1,800 of the livestock,” Lorentz said. “Our county is always heavy in livestock, and they did an amazing job, but it’s just as important to recognize those individuals who went through the Life Skills projects. It takes a great deal of dedication, and many of these young people are still learning some of these Life Skills projects or even taking STEM projects that may help them in the future and even inspire them to pursue a career path.”

She said many of the 4-H youth have been representing Holmes County both at the county fair and the Ohio State Fair for many years.

She singled out the Cerniglia family who continues to excel in the clothing lines of Life Skills projects. She said young people like Hayden Smith, who continues to prove himself time and again at the state fair with his animals, represent what hard work can accomplish in the animal realm.

“It’s really no different than some of the individuals showing animal projects who continue to experience success year after year,” Lorentz said. “It’s very exciting to read off these names and recognize those individuals who have poured themselves into their projects, no matter what those might be, and worked hard to gain success. We should all be very proud of our kids and our 4-H programs for representing Holmes County in such a wonderful way.”