The two longtime 4-H participants have been crowned 2003 king and queen.

The two longtime 4-H participants have been crowned 2003 king and queen.
By MATT BIXENSTINE
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CANFIELD -- Brian Goddard and Jessica Speece stood on stage glistening like royalty in front of the flashing cameras.
Their experience with 4-H had just culminated.
On Thursday, Goddard, 18, of Boardman, and Speece, 17, of North Jackson, were named 2003 4-H king and queen of the Canfield Fair.
"It's really a big honor," Goddard said. "I've been watching this [ceremony] in past years and always thought this is one of 4-H's top honors for youth."
The duo sent in applications months ago and underwent interviews before being selected from the 2003 Royal Court. They were presented on the fair's main concourse stage Thursday, receiving clock trophies from 4-H Alumni.
King's background
Goddard, son of Jerry and Jane Goddard, has been a member 4-H for eight years, having won numerous awards with rabbit projects at the Canfield Fair, as well as other projects he participated in at the Ohio State Fair. He was a member of the All-Ohio State Fair Choir the past two years.
The graduate of Boardman High School just started his freshman year at Youngstown State University, where he is studying drafting and design technology.
"I had class this morning and I have to go back later tonight," he said.
Queen's history
Speece, daughter of William and Robin Speece, has been participating in 4-H for 12 years, most recently as a member of the Western Reserve Rangers. She has won four clock trophies at the Ohio State Fair for public speaking.
Entering her senior year at Western Reserve High School, she participates in choir, cross country, track and cheerleading.
She has been involved in the Canfield Fair since she was a young girl.
"One year I took a llama to the fair," she said. "I leased him because we didn't have the land at our house."
Speece, who called the interview "nerve-racking," said she was pleasantly surprised at being crowned queen.
She said she and Goddard have a responsibility to make themselves visible throughout the fair and other 4-H activities.
As representatives of the youth organization, Goddard said they will recommend 4-H participation to other youth.
"It's been a really good experience to be involved with this," he said. "It's a great learning experience for kids."
mbixenstine@vindy.com