BY TRACY LEE TATE
Special to the Times
LAKE BUTLER—Union County 4H held its annual county events last Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, with club members presenting projects with demonstrations and illustrated talks on subjects across the scope of the activities they participate in as part of their 4H membership, as well as public speaking and a Share-the-Fun talent competition. Members (except the youngest group, the Cloverbuds, under eight when the 4H year starts) must participate in the event if they hope to show an animal at the fair. Young people were divided into four groups by age for competition, and subjects ranged from “how to incubate eggs” to “how to pickle a rabbit hide.” Members competed singly or in teams, and many ribbons were handed out by UF IFAS 4H Extension Agent Meagan Daniel to recognize the members’ efforts. Twenty-seven residents volunteered their time to serve as judges for one or more of the competitions.
The winners and their ribbon placements were:
Public Speaking, Citizenship, and Public Service – Cadence Duniven – green Cloverbud ribbon; Cooper Gemelli – white; Brentley Blanton – blue; Huck Alvarez – blue; Preston Fischer – red; Paisley Schmitt-Theus – blue and Kamryn Hartley – red.
Healthy Living – Callen Collins and Corbin Neal – red; Naliana Hampton – red; Alayah Jefferson – red; Kalyn Reynolds – white; and Gabe McNeal – blue.
Animals (intermediates and seniors)– Ruby Hunter – white; Travis Hunter – red; Sawyer Dyal – blue; Lawson Roddenberry – blue; Lane Hartley – blue; Tinsley Moates – white; Luke Alvarez – red; Atticus Allen – blue; Ryleigh Croft – blue; Cain Addison – blue; Baler Gill – blue and Hudson Parrish – white.
Animals (juniors) – Madison Parker – red; Mandy Schaafsma – blue; Riley Pferffer – red; Brylee Gay – red; Koleson Tetstone – red; Emmy Croft – blue; Delana Barton – blue; Maddie Croft – blue; Marcus Jefferson – blue; Cadence Collins – blue; Cuyler Collins – blue and Kinzley Scott – blue.
Nature and the Outdoors – Lyle Neuhofer and Shaw Daniel – green; Everett Emery – blue; Hudson Thomas and Hagen Thomas – white; Braxton Johnson – blue; Landon Douglas – red; Lexi Kirby – blue; Zeke Balkin-Gainey – red and Weston Daniel and Jenson Tetstone – blue.
Communication and Expressive Art – Madison Jackson – red; Ayda McNeal – blue; Peyton Welch – red; Sadie Croft – white; Latoya Hampton – blue; Allie Salanci – white; Celia Elixson – blue and Klayton Neuhofer – blue.
Share-the-Fun – Clairabelle Martin – green; Charley Box – blue; Lola Allen – blue; Kylee Thomas – blue; Ava Lynn Thomas – blue; Clay Emery – blue; Sybil Thomas – blue; Cole Welch and Rafe Alvarez – blue; Kalli Kadlec – blue; Farrah Elixson – blue and Naomi Croft – blue.
Healthy Living 1 – Rylan Boyette – green; Ryker Sellers – green; Ryder Akins – red; Raylan Dyal – blue; and Kristen Balkin-Gainey – blue.
Healthy Living 2 – Kenna Dicks – red; Reagan Douglas – blue; Evan Hann – blue; Grace Box – red; Kennon Willis – red and Brislyn Hamill and Kyleigh Groves – red.
Judges for the event were: Abigail Ripplinger, Alyssa Rose, Amy Simonne, Ashlyn Burke, Ashlyn Gladding, Ashton-Kara Shaw, Audyn Woodington, Becky Sharpe, Brittney McGee, Camryn Warner, Chrissie Griffis, Christy Huntley, Elanie Mason, Eric Simonne, Holly Tucker, Jaley Moseley, Jim DeValerio, Karrie Patrick, Kellie Rhodes, Laura Park, Loren Kunze, Maegan Beatty, Marcie Tucker, Niki Shaw, Pam Williams, Pam Woodington and Reagan Robinson.
Tim Rose, Youth Pastor at Sardis Baptist Church, hosted the event, volunteered, and ran the sound system for the event.
