MOUNT VERNON — Young exhibitors and graduating seniors were celebrated for their hard work, character and community involvement during a special awards presentation at the Knox County Junior Fair on Thursday.
The following exhibitors were recognized as outstanding in their respective market categories:
• Cade Strausbaugh, dairy beef feeder.
• Bailee Smith, beef.
• Ethan Swendal, dairy market steer.
• Taylor Tyson, dairy market feeder.
• Brock Mason, goat.
• Sutter Reynolds, lamb.
• Blake Hegemier, rabbits.
• Kennedy Black, turkey.
• Bristol Hegemier, broilers.
• Addison McGuire, hog.
The Senior Fair Board presented the inaugural Voting for a Stronger Tomorrow scholarship to Will Stokes. Personal donations from Senior Fair Board members and community partners fund the scholarship.
The Senior Fair Board also presented scholarships to Reagan Blanchard and Kenlee Fairall.
Morgan Grange presented a $200 scholarship to Blanchard, and Fairall received a $200 Pomona Grange scholarship.
Junior Fair Coordinator Amy Carpenter and her family presented The Love Like Linda scholarship to Taylor Thorne.
Named in honor of Carpenter’s mother, Linda Dowalter, the award embodies the idea that life’s greatest impacts ought to come through simple acts of love and kindness.
The scholarship recognizes a graduating senior who embodies those same qualities.
Gage Moody, David Greer, Herdsman awards
JDC Livestock sponsored the Gage Moody Heart and Soul award, which went to Hailey Unger and Kinsley Prosser.
The award recognizes children who put in daily effort, pride, hard work, and determination, all while setting a good positive example for others.
Aaron Chaney and Curtis Spaulding presented the $750 awards.
“Kids go unnoticed for many reasons. … I see you. We all see you, and for that, you’re being recognized for this award,” Chang said.
Kiwanis members Wendi Fowler, Mike Motley and Crystal Snell-Tomes presented David Greer awards to Lane Dugan and Austin Frazier.
Dugan received $500, and Frazier received $250.
Greer, also a Kiwanis member, is a long-time supporter of 4-H, FFA and youth efforts in the Danville area.
“The Kiwanis Club is focused on youth and children, so this fits our mission perfectly. We love to support 4-H. We love to support the kids and all the efforts,” Fowler said.
Austin Robinson received the dairy beef Herdsman Award. Lane Dugan received the beef Herdsman Award. The Knox Cattleman’s Association presented a $500 scholarship to Dugan.
Larry L. Hall received the Sales Team Committee award for his 26 years working with youth as an OSU Extension 4-H educator.
Mid-America Farm Credit presented a $500 check to the Knox County Junior Fair Board for its Stock the Trailer effort to collect food for local food pantries.
(Below are Cheryl Splain’s photos of the awards ceremony.)
Knox Community Hospital proudly supports the vibrant pulse of our community by sponsoring the Life & Culture section on Knox Pages, celebrating the stories and experiences that make our region unique.
