43
Jr. Fair day ends with crowning achievements
SEE ALSO: 4-Hers donate auction proceeds to new complex
By JORDYN GRZELEWSKI
jgrzelewski@vindy.com
CANFIELD
Gallery
Junior Fair Day at the Canfield Fair
Video
Fair participants, 4-H King and Queen, and Outstanding Youth winners discuss events going on at the Canfield Fair.
Tiffany Volland didn’t think she’d ever hear her name called while standing on stage for the Mahoning County 4-H King and Queen coronation.
She was surprised and happy to hear it Thursday.
“This is personally something that I never imagined I’d actually be able to accomplish, and I am ecstatic right now,” the newly crowned queen said with a big smile. “I couldn’t be happier.”
Volland was joined by Carson Markley, who was crowned king. Volland, of North Jackson, is a first-year student at Bowling Green State University. Markley, of Canfield, just started his first year at Youngstown State University.
Volland and Markley were among 12 people selected for the 2017 4-H Royal Court. Also on the royal court were Kristyn Svetlak, Jennel Benson, Olivia Reph, Cheyenne Heffner, Callia Barwick, William Reph, Matthew Fetty, Zachery Kemmer, Cole Chumney, and Tyler Moff.
Also recognized during the Junior Fair Youth Day program were the fair’s Outstanding Youth. Of the 14 finalists, Svetlak and Moff were selected as the overall Outstanding Youth. Other finalists were Dakota Herron, Jacob Corll, Heffner, Brittany Siembieda, Nicole D’Angelo, Thomas Kemp, Kearstin Rummel, Samantha Colonna, James Moore, Taylor Casanta, Sydney Lewis, and Joshua Phillips.
Svetlak, of Poland, is a student at Kent State University. She is a member of Country Kids and Kritters 4-H Club and serves on the Mahoning County Junior Fair Board.
Moff is a freshman at the University of Akron. He’s been involved in 4-H for nine years and is a member of the Mahoning County Capriculturists 4-H club. He also is a member of the Junior Fair board.
“4-H has been a big part of my life, as I’ve shown rabbits, taken small projects such as scrapbooking, cake decorating, as well as creative writing,” Svetlak said.
Of winning Outstanding Youth, Svetlak said, “It’s definitely an honor, because as well as representing 4-H it’s also representing other organizations such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, FFA [Future Farmers of America], Camp Fire USA, and Grange, so it’s an honor to be the two chosen to represent all of these kids in Mahoning County.”
The Outstanding Youth Award recognizes young people who are involved in one or more of the seven Junior Fair Youth Organizations – the organizations noted by Svetlak, as well as the Farm Bureau.
As for why they choose to be so involved, Svetlak and Moff said they enjoy serving others.
“I just enjoy helping people,” Moff said. “I enjoy going out and giving a helping hand to anyone who needs it, and not having to ask anything in return.”
That’s what Junior Fair is all about.
As Kimberly Moff, Mahoning County Junior Fair manager (and Tyler’s mother) explained, Junior Fair members’ involvement extends well beyond the week of the fair. They do work throughout the year, which ramps up in August.
“All of these kids have their projects. They’re working with their animals. They’re all involved in their communities and with school,” Moff said.
During the fair, Junior Fair members typically arrive about 4:30 a.m. and sometimes are there until midnight, she said.
Moff said she hopes Junior Fair teaches young people about leadership, respect and team work.
“It’s all about giving them the opportunity to find a place to fit in, be comfortable, find friends and learn how to put in a lot of hard work,” she said.