Annika Kristiansen, San Miguel County 4-H Coordinator told the Forum the 4-H General Projects judging day was a “tremendous success.”
“We saw an incredible display of creativity, dedication and hard work from all our 4-H members,” Kristiansen said. “I'm thrilled to announce that five outstanding projects will be moving on to the Colorado State Fair. This is a testament to the talent and effort our members have invested in their projects. The level of enthusiasm and skill demonstrated by our 4-Hers was truly inspiring. It's clear that their hard work and commitment have paid off.”
She added the judges had a tough time evaluating so many “excellent projects.”
For Horseless Horse, Grace Blakney was first place and grand champion; in Foods and Nutrition-Cooking, Peyton Brack received a participation award; and in Cake Decorating, Devon Fahrenbacker was second place.
For Veterinary Science, Grace Blakney was first place and grand champion, and Lillian Reynolds was first place and reserve champion.
In Leathercraft, Kyndle Weimer was first place and grand champion, and Sammy Suhr was first place and reserve champion. Additionally, for Leathercraft, Brenna Morlang, Cooper Morlang and Savannah Smuin took second place in their divisions, and Kaliber Merrill placed third. Emma Apanel took a fourth place.
Kristiansen said grand champion general projects will travel to the state fair in Pueblo. If the state fair advancer didn’t want to travel, the reserve champion would go instead. Projects remain on display this week for the public to see, and some will be auctioned off during the livestock sale too.
For Shooting Sports, taking grand champion were Lochlan Schultz and Sammy Suhr, and Jacob Lukaszewski, Wyatt Weimer and David Dawson were the reserve champions.
“The return of the 4-H Shooting Sports program this year has been a resounding success,” said Kristiansen. “The competition on July 7 showcased remarkable talent and enthusiasm from our young marksmen and markswomen.”
Other placers in the Shooting Sports this year were Norah Herland, Emma Herland, Dalton Brack, Xaden Caruso, Jackson Garcia and Max Fahrenbacker, all taking second place titles. And, Clayton Brack and Kaliber Merrill had third place honors. Kalese Merrill had a fourth place finish, and Peyton Brack was fifth.
“We couldn't be prouder of our 4-H members who participated in the shooting competition.Their dedication to safety, skill, and sportsmanship was evident throughout the event,” Kristiansen added.
This was the first year the Fair Board had brought back the 4-H Shooting Sports program in some time, and Kristiansen said it was “amazing” to see the high level of participation, enthusiasm and skill.
“Seeing our 4-Hers excel in the shooting competition was incredibly rewarding. The return of (this) program has been a great addition to our community, and we look forward to its continued growth and success,” she said.
And, the 4-H horse show wrapped up. On July 13, Chloe Sherman was intermediate high-point champion, and Josey Herland was the reserve. Kyndle Weimer was the junior high-point champion, and Norah Herland was the reserve. Additionally, Josey Herland won the gymkhana for intermediates; Brenna Bonacquista won the junior gymkhana division.
Editor’s note: The San Miguel Basin Forum will be covering other San Miguel Basin Fair results, including the dessert contest, livestock shows and more.
