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4-H King and Queen winners named
CANFIELD
Although Renee Marshburn was involved with 4-H Club growing up, she never got to hold the coveted “4-H queen” title.
That made the moment all the sweeter Thursday at the Canfield Fair when Renee’s daughter, Shannon, was crowned the 2015 4-H queen.
“I’m thrilled,” said Renee, who was all smiles, along with Shannon’s father, Jerry, minutes after the coronation, which was part of the Junior Fair Youth Day ceremony.
Crowned beside Shannon, a student at Columbiana High School, as king was Scott Erb of Green Township, a South Range High School student.
Scott and his parents, Mary Kay and Greg, reacted with shock.
“We’re very excited though,” said Mary Kay. “He does a lot of great things with 4-H, so we’re proud.”
“Very proud,” added Greg. “I think he’s deserving of it.”
Hard work is just one quality 4-H Club members must exemplify to become king or queen, said Janice Hanna, extension educator for Mahoning County 4-H.
“The king and queen are representative of the best 4-H has to offer, because they have a well-rounded background of community service, leadership, life skills and club activities,” Hanna said.
“A lot of folks have the misconception that 4-H is just an agricultural program, and it’s not,” she said.
She thinks having 4-H on their resume is an asset. “4-H teaches a lot of leadership and appreciation for community service,” which are things that look good to colleges and employers, she said.
“It lets people know that the kids possess those kinds of things, so it opens doors for them,” she said.
Shannon and Scott already have plans for what doors they want 4-H to help them open.
Shannon – who takes clothing, art, self-determined, health, leadership and nutrition projects – plans to attend Kent State University to study fashion construction. Scott, who serves as president of his 4-H Club, wants to study environmental engineering at Youngstown State University.
Other members of the 2015 Royal Court are: Nathan Kalinay, Renee Reisner, Karl Reph, Emily Smith, Tyraile Phillips, Samuel Kulifay, Olivia Wince and Anngel Benson.