FIT for ROYALTY

2009 Canfield Fair 4H king queen

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2009 Canfield Fair 4H king and queen. Nathan Suchy, 17, and Megan Day, 19.

1954 Canfield Fair 4H King & Queen

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Leland Knauf of Ellsworth and queen Gloria Cutsler-Rudzik of Poland. They were at the fair to take in the crowning of the 2009 4H King/Queen.

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2009 Canfield Fair 4H queenMegan Day, 19 of Berlin Center and king Nathan Suchy, 17, of Jackson Milton. WDLEWIS

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2009 Canfield Fair 4H queenMegan Day, 19 of Berlin Center and king Nathan Suchy, 17, of Jackson Milton. WDLEWIS

Patience pays off for King, Queen

By ELISE FRANCO

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

CANFIELD — The final time was a charm for 2009 4-H King and Queen winners Nathan Suchy and Megan Day.

Suchy, 17, a Jackson-Milton High School senior, and Day, 19, of Berlin Center, were crowned during a Thursday afternoon ceremony on the main concourse stage at the Canfield Fairgrounds. Both said it was the last year they’d be able to serve on the 4-H Court.

Though Day is no longer eligible to participate, Suchy said this was his last year because he plans to join the U.S. Coast Guard after graduation.

Both said the fair has become like a home, and they plan to return as much as possible.

Day, also named a 2009 Outstanding Youth, said she feels honored to be recognized for the hard work she’s put in for the past 15 years.

Jonathan Wilson, a senior at West Branch High School, was also named an Outstanding Youth. Wilson was the 2008 4-H King.

“It’s such a privilege,” Day said. “I’ve been involved in 4-H since I was 2. I grew up with it in my family, so it’s always been a part of my life.”

The Cardinal Mooney High School graduate has been involved in 4-H for 15 years. She is a 4-H Ambassador and a member of the Western Reserve Rangers.

Day said her four older siblings’ involvement in 4-H gave her inspiration to follow in their footsteps.

“They all had such a great effect on my life,” she said. “My three older brothers have all been 4-H kings, and two were named Outstanding Youth.”

Suchy said being crowned king feels so good because he never really felt at home until he moved to the Mahoning Valley.

“I knew there was something missing before I moved to Jackson Milton,” he said, “I went to school in a city before. ... I just knew that when everyone was wearing brand-name clothes, I was in jeans and plaid. I didn’t belong in the city.”

Suchy’s involvement in 4-H began three years ago, and since then, he’s become president of his livestock club and Key Club and a member of the Junior Fair board. He said his late grandfather gave him advice that always stuck with him.

“My grandfather died seven years ago, but he told me I could do whatever I put my mind to,” Suchy said.

Janice Hanna, 4-H educator for Mahoning County, said the judges look for a King and Queen who are good representations of the 4-H program.

“These kids are indicative of all the kids in 4-H,” she said. “They all excel in their own areas, and [Day and Suchy] are the epitome of the qualities they all possess.”

efranco@vindy.com