2009 Finalists | Outstanding Youth contest

Fifteen members of the Canfield Fair’s Junior Fair were selected to be finalists in the 2009 Outstanding Youth contest. Two winners were chosen based on written applications as well as interviews with the judges. Here are the finalists:

Winners:

Megan Day: Megan has been a member of the Girl Scouts of America. She is the daughter of Robert and Karen Day. She is a graduate of Youngstown Cardinal Mooney High School and will attend Kent State University as a sophomore to study communications and psychology. The 19-year-old is a 4-H ambassador, sea camp counselor, member of the Western Reserve Rangers for 16 years and 2009 Royal Court queen.

Jonathan Wilson: Jonathan has been a member of 4-H for 12 years and has won many ribbons with beef, dairy beef, feeders, market steers, hogs and beef-breeding projects. He is the son of Earl and Becky Wilson. He is a senior at West Branch High School and plans to attend Ohio State University to major in large-animal veterinary medicine. He is in his third year as president of the Village Varieties 4-H club and was the 2008 Royal Court king.

Finalists:

Gabrielle Wilson: Gabrielle has been a member of 4-H for nine years and has won many awards, both county and state, for judging and showmanship in rabbit, goat and swine categories. She is the daughter of Dan and Dana Wilson. She is the president of Country Kids and Kritters 4-H Club and the news reporter for the Mahoning County Junior Fair Board. She is a freshman at Ohio State University.

Jenna Benson: Jenna has been a member of the Girls Scouts of America for two years. She is the daughter of Ed and Annsel Benson. She is the president of Lucky Llamas, vice president of Bunny Buddies, was the secretary of Bridle Buddies for two years and health and safety officer. She was also Cloverbud camp counselor and AG camp counselor. She is a junior at the Connections Academy and plans to attend Youngstown State University and major in education. She would also like to be a figure-skating coach and work with special-needs children.

Amanda Smith: Amanda has been a member of Future Farmers of America for four years and has won outstanding freshman, sophomore and junior AG student. She is the daughter of Roy and Shelly Smith. She has won swine production awards for four years and is president of West Branch FFA. She’s a freshman at Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute.

William Wainio: William has been a member of the Boy Scouts of America for eight years and earned his Eagle Scout award this past August. He is the son of Anthony and Cynthia Wainio. He is a member of St. Luke Church and is involved in the liturgy committee and is a member of the evangelization team, choir and youth group. William is a junior at Ursline High School and plans to study philosophy, music and religious studies at Youngstown State University before going on to seminary school to become a priest.

Hannah Shrader: Hannah has been a member of Grange for 11 years. She is the daughter of Richard and Debbie Schrader. She is a member of Western Reserve Rangers, 4-H fashion club and has participating in craft, baking, sewing and talent contests at the local, county and state levels. She is a state ambassador and a member of the county and state fashion board. Hannah is a junior at Western Reserve High School.

Heidi Moff: Heidi has been with Farm Bureau for seven years and is a member of the Junior Fair Board. She is the daughter of Steve and Jane Moff. She was the Mahoning County Dairy Princess in 2006-07, camp counselor for three years and has done member dairy and sewing projects. Heidi was the valedictorian of Columbiana High School in 2009 and is attending Ohio State University, majoring in animal science.

Tamara Talarico: Tamara has been a member of 4-H for 11 years. She is the daughter of Carl and Shari Talarico. She is also a member of the Mahoning County Llama Club and has held many offices in each of the clubs and helped run several fundraisers. She is a graduate of Austintown Fitch High School and is attending cosmetology school.

Wade Wince: Wade has been a member of Farm Bureau for five years. He is the son of Ralph and Chris Wince. He has participated in community-service projects such as Adopt a Highway, Salvation Army and Take a Break Farmers. He is a 10-year member of Mill Creek My-T-Mites 4-H club, a county winner in woodworking and rockets, volunteer at South Range Council Church and Community Food Bank and a member of Calla Community Church. Wade is also a member of Junior Fair Board and is attending Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute to earn a degree in crop management.

Kaitlynn Bitzer: Kaitlynn has been a member of 4-H for 11 years. She is the daughter of Dave and Debbie Bitzer. She has shown rabbits for 11 years and lambs for four. She was the 2007 Sheep and Wool queen. She has volunteered with Relay for Life, the Youngstown Soup Kitchen and the Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center for Handicapped Children. She is a sophomore at Youngstown State University, where she is a member of the Marching Pride Color Guard and majoring in education.

Amanda Evans: Amanda has been in 4-H for nine years and is the vice president of Ellsworth Junior Farmers, treasurer of Rabbitears, AG camp counselor and a member of Pocket Pets. She is the daughter of Charles and Debra Evans. She has performed in Christmas ensembles at local nursing homes, taught preschool children Bible school and Sunday school at First Federated Church and is a member of the adult choir. She is a freshman at Youngstown State University, majoring in physical therapy for special-needs children.

Evan Acri: Evan has been a member of the Boys Scouts of America for five years and has earned the Arrow of Life, as well as having earned 22 merit badges on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout. He is the son of Jack and Anne Acri. He is a senior patrol leader and a member of Order of the Arrow. He has gone on several mission trips for hurricane relief and to Indian reservations. He is a junior at Jackson-Milton High School, where he plays on the soccer team and is in the marching band.

Jordan Rohaley: Jordan has been a member of the FFA for three years. She is the daughter of Mary Kay Rohaley. She is an FFA officer and has a forestry award, soil and water award and first- and second-year awards in agriculture classes. She is also a member of Farm Bureau and has represented the Farm Bureau at the state fair board. She is a senior at West Branch High School and plans to attend Ohio State University to study agriculture.

Amanda Majirsky: Amanda has been a member of Grange for nine years and has earned many county and state awards for craft and has participated in Grange dinners. She is the daughter of Janet and Paul Majirsky. She has won grand champion doe and reserve champion market goat. She is attending Kent State University, majoring in nursing.

Source: Canfield Fair Junior Fair