4-H Royalty crowned Saturday

“4-H: A Field of Opportunity” is the theme for the 2016 Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair which runs Friday, July 1 throughThursday July 7 at the county fairgrounds in the Winamac park.

One of the primary features of the fair is to showcase the projects completed by the county's 4-H youth - demonstrating what they have learned in this valuable program which develops  talents as well as important skills and values. For many years now 4-H members have included “city kids” as well as “farm kids.”

Peyton Newman and Regan Culp (seated) were crowned the 2016 PulaskiCounty 4-H Royalty during the annual 4-H Recognition Program which traditionally opens the annual Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair. Their court membrers are (standing, l-r) Andriana Smith, Rachel Ploss, Kassi Dahn and Jacob Conner.

At the 4-H Recognition Program Saturday, two top-achieving 4-H'ers, Peyton Newman and Regan Culp were crowned as the 2016 4-H Royalty, along with a court, Andriana Smith, Rachel Ploss, Kassi Dahn and Jacob Conner.

Also during the Recognition Program a state 4-H Key Club award was presented to Madison Ruff.

The Renae Eber Memorial Award was given to Salena Leman

Farm Bureau Tenure Award Recipients were Brittany Fox, Dustin Field, Eli Nielson, Madison Ruff, and Salena Leman; with an honorable mention given to Dustin Dahn.

4-H Volunteers recognized for milestone years were (first year) Elizabeth McClure, Jessica Cupit, Brian Dahn, Art Newman, Sue Nielsen, Stephanie Wheeler and Kelli Wildermuth; (five years) Gerry Brandt, Karen Budd, Missy Culp, Bethany Gudeman, RayeAnn Stamper and Kent Wamsley; (10 years) Scott Alexander, Mary Conner, John Fritz, Clint Kauffman and Michael Sehstedt; (25 years) Pam Jones; and (45 years) Jeanette Podell..

This year is the 114th year for the national 4-H program - and the 112th year in Indiana. Pulaski County has almost 350 youth in the 4-H program. They participate because it’s fun and they make new friends. But along the way they learn how to undertake a project and carry it through to completion - and how to do it better next year!

The selection of these “royal” youth is not only a crowning achievement in their own lives, but it also launches the week-long excitement for the 4-H’ers and others who devote so much effort to the fair.

The 2016 4-H Royalty candidates were:

Jacob Conner Regan Culp Kassandra Dahn
Emily Field Salena Leman Peyton Newman
Dylan Perry Rachel Ploss Andriana Smith

Jacob Conner is the son of Jim and Mary Conner and is a member of the Indian Creek Indians 4-H Club. He has just completed his senior year at Winamac Community High School and this is his 10th year in 4-H. He has earned a Grand Champion in beekeeping. His favorite projects are small engines and shooting sports. “Don’t procrastinate” is the advice that he would give to other 4-H’ers. His future plans are to attend Purdue Polytechnic for Aeronautical Engineering Technology.

Regan Culp is the daughter of Dan and Melissa Culp and is a member of the Salem Super Stars 4-H Club. She has just completed her junior year at West Central High School and this is her 9th year in 4-H. She has won Grand Champion with her barrow and steer, was a 2014 Public Speaking State Qualifier, and also was a Qualifier in 2013 and 2014 in the State Fair Sewing Fashion Review. Her favorite project is definitely beef because it has allowed her to gain out-of-county experiences and to become a board director of the Indiana Junior Beef Cattle Association. Regan’s advice to younger 4-H’ers is “Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially if you want to participate in a project, but don’t have the knowledge or resources to complete it. Anything is possible!” Her future plans are to finish high school and then attend Purdue University to major in animal science.

Kassi Dahn is the daughter of Brian and Rosa Dahn and is a member of the Busy Beavers 4-H Club. She has just completed her freshman year as a home schooled student. This is her 7th year in 4-H. She has won Goat Showman of Showman, Junior Achiever, Grand Champions in Electric, Sewing, and Collections. She has also placed at the State Fair with her horse. Goats are her favorite project because she helps deliver them, raise them, and show them. They have also taught her many life lessons. Kassi’s advice to younger 4-H’ers, “Do what you love. Never give up because right when you are ready to give up, the magic will happen.” Her future plans are to attend college for engineering, programming, or robotics and to compete on an intercollegiate equestrian team.

Emily Field is the daughter of Darrin and Dana Field and is a member of the Monroe 76’ers 4-H Club. She has just completed her freshman year at Winamac Community High School and this is her 7th year in 4-H. She has been awarded reserve champion, grand champion, champion, and reserve grand champion ribbons on several projects. Her favorite project is photography because she can capture many memories by taking pictures. Her advice to younger 4-H’ers is to never wait until the last minute on projects, try to start them as soon as possible. Her future plans are to go to college and study to become a veterinarian.

Salena Leman is the daughter of Scott and Kathy Leman and is a member of the Salem Superstars 4-H Club. She has just completed her senior year at West Central High School and this is her 10th year of 4-H. She has received Grand Champion in woodworking and dairy finished steer, Reserve Grand Champion in dairy starter calf, best record book in dairy finished steer and starter calf, and also Junior Achiever. Her favorite project is dairy beef starter calves because she gets to watch them grow up, right before her eyes. Her advice to younger 4-H’ers is that “Time management is key! Also if you have animals, work with them every day!” Her future plans are to attend Tricoci University of Beauty Culture and eventually open her own hair salon.

Peyton Newman is the daughter of Art and Melissa Newman and is a member of Indian Creek Indians 4-H Club. She has just completed her sophomore year at Winamac Community High School and this is her 8th year in 4-H. She has won many awards in dairy and consumer clothing. Her favorite project is showing dairy beef and heifers because she loves the interaction with her animals including everything from walking, feeding, and washing. Her advice to younger 4-H’ers is to “Make new friends, enjoy the moment and learn from the experience. Ribbons fade and trophies tarnish, but the life lessons you gain from 4-H stay with you for a lifetime.” Her future plans are to attend Purdue University and study vet science.

Dylan Perry is the son of Derick and Marci Perry and is a member of the Monroe 76’ers and Horse and Pony 4-H Clubs. He has just completed his junior year at Winamac Community High School and this is his 9th year in 4-H. His favorite project is horse and pony because it is the project that he has the most experience in and has allowed him to meet a lot of people throughout the community. Advice that he would give to younger 4-H’ers is “Do what you want to do and don’t do a project that you will hate doing.” His future plans are to go to college and major in graphic design, then start a small business.

Rachel Ploss is the daughter of Tony and Patti Ploss and is a member of the Monroe 76’ers 4-H Club. She has just completed her sophomore year at Winamac Community High School and this is her 8th year in 4-H. She has earned Spot Gilt Champion 3 times, Grand Champion Market pair in 2012, and was recently the recipient of a Junior Leaders award. Her favorite project is hogs because she gets to share it with her dad. He helps her to work hard and do better each year. Her advice to younger 4-H’ers is to “Do as many projects as they can. The experience is phenomenal and different with each one, but most importantly, have FUN!” Her future plans are to attend college and to travel.

Andriana Smith is the daughter of Doug and Amy Smith and is a member of Indian Creek and Paw Prints 4-H Clubs. She has just completed her sophomore year at Winamac Community High School and this is her 8th year in 4-H. Awards she has received in 4-H are Junior Achiever, color guard, Junior Leader MVP, Leaders Choice Award for Paw Prints Dog Club, multiple grand champion, reserve grand champion, and state fair entries for various projects. Her favorite project is dogs because she gets to help the younger 4-H’ers learn and grow throughout their 4-H career. Her advice to younger 4-H’ers is to “Be creative and have fun doing your projects! Do your best and don’t procrastinate and it will make things a lot easier.” Her future plans are to attend Valporaiso University and study business management and open a bakery.