Opinion

Experiences will provide lifetime benefits

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

As a person who has been involved in many youth fairs after arriving in Vernon County, I was highly impressed of the 61st annual event held last week. It has to be one of the best.

There are many things that can be said about the fair as there was much to see and do. The attendance was great throughout the week, with community members showing a great amount of interest and support.

There have been many positive comments made about the fair. One adult observing the fair, perhaps for the first time, was highly impressed with the young people involved. Her comment was that they like being involved as they are helping the kids prepare for life.

The fair participants are learning subject matter about their projects they exhibit and about the other projects in the fair. Still, more important are the many life skills they are learning. This includes assuming responsibilities and learning work skills, social skills and other life skills. In addition, they are making friends as they work and help other exhibitors.

The fair is a tradition, an institution of its own. One adult said that those who were kids when she was participating in the fair are now adults, with their kids participating.

One event that is popular and has been an important part of the fair is the queen and princess coronation, which started in 1961 with the queen. Later, the princess was added. It is an honor for each one of the girls participating in the program as they were selected from their club. To give them further recognition, they participate during the fair, by handing out ribbons and assuming other responsibilities. Listening to what the candidates have achieved and their involvement is of special interest.

Whitney Hinkle, representing the Bronaugh 4-H Club, was selected as the queen and I had an opportunity to visit with her. The 10-year 4-H member is the daughter of Kristi and the late Stan Hinkle. She is also an FFA member. She has held all of the offices in her club. Among her experiences was being in the Vernon County livestock judging contest which won second one year in the state and third the other year. As a result she had an opportunity to go to Denver one year and to the American Royal the other year.

This year she exhibited swine during the fair, receiving second, third and fifth places in the classes. She also received grand champion in showmanship in the 16 and over division. In the past she has exhibited other projects, including arts and crafts.

She said that she has met many people at the fair and it becomes a fair family, not just at the fair, but all year. Being actively involved with the fair as the queen she was busy during the fair.

This older 4-H member suggests to others to stick with 4-H and FFA because it will help out with events in many ways. She intends to go to Missouri Southern this fall to become an elementary teacher. She wants to return to Bronaugh as a teacher.

Earlier in the week, I was in the home economics building where the fair princess was watching the exhibits. Taylor Nowak is a daughter of Tom and Ginger Nowak and has been a Sheldon 4-H Club member for 4 years. She attends Nevada schools where she has been a cheerleader, participated in band, was a member of the fly team and was in track. She had a perfect attendance this past year.

When she was asked what was the best thing about the youth fair, her answer was, "Everything." It is a place to see all the projects and how hard they worked. It is a big part of 4-H in Vernon County.

She had nine exhibits and had a picture selected to go to the district fair. Her exhibits were in arts and crafts, photography and foods.

Being selected as princess the week event was better for her. Being princess, she was busy all of the time.

These two young women are an example of the exhibitors at the fair and what the fair means to their lives.

Those in attendance were highly impressed with the facilities, especially the new sheep and goat building, replacing the old metal building. The old building was there for a long time- perhaps when the land was purchased for the Centennial Park and Fair Grounds.

The new building is 70 feet by 75 feet. The open building was made with steel. It is well constructed. Tim Haner, board member, was one of the leaders in raising funds for the building and constructing the building with volunteer labor -- which included skilled labor. When he was asked if they were able to raise finances for the building, he replied they did. He commented that they could have used more help in the construction. Still, it was a major undertaking and highly successful.

It was several years before the dairy goat project was introduced to the fair. It remained a rather small number for several years and did not get much respect. As it has grown in other places, it has grown in number at the youth fair. There are now both dairy and meat animals in the goat division and it has gained much respect. There were approximately 150 goats exhibited at the fair this year.

The fair doesn't just happen -- it takes the effort and support of a large number of people, a community. It was a job well done. It is certainly providing experiences, preparing youth for life.