Lyndonville – April 8 was an action-packed day for 4-H’ers from 16 clubs in Caledonia, Essex, Lamoille and Orleans Counties as they gathered in Lyndonville for the 2023 Northeast Regional 4-H Spring Showcase.
This annual showcase of 4-H talent was held at the Lyndon Town School. A total of 68 4-Hers, ages 5 to 18, participated in person with another 13 taking part virtually or by submitting entries in advance.
Categories ranged from stage presentations, action exhibits and illustrated talks to fashion revue and technology. Many of the youth also entered tabletop exhibits, photos and posters. For the Smart Shopper category, 4-Hers, working with a $50 budget, put together an outfit to model on stage to demonstrate their shopping smarts and fashion sense.
All entries were scored on the Danish system and awarded a blue, red or white ribbon. The top blue ribbon entry in every category except photos received a rosette ribbon. Entries by 4-H Cloverbuds, ages 5-7, were not evaluated but instead received a rainbow-colored participation ribbon.
Results of local participants follow. These entries will continue onto 4-H State Day, planned for May 6 in Barre.
Action Exhibit, blue ribbons, “Halter Holder,” participant LeighAnn Judd, Caspian Critters 4-H Club, Greensboro (“Three Thrilling Things to Do with Too Much Milk.” Participants: Natalie and Warren Hill, Greensboro; Emma Rowell, Greensboro Bend; Maia Young, Glover); Wolcott; Demonstration (Individual) rosette and blue ribbon winner: Trevor Smith, Hardwick (“My Head is Killing Me”); Illustrated Talk, red ribbon: Dawson Michaud, East Hardwick (“My Grandpa”); Illustrated Talk (Junior Division) Red ribbon: Talon Michaud, Greensboro (“Sugaring”); Poster, blue ribbons, Dawson Michaud, East Hardwick, Amalie Pratt, Wolcott; Public Speaking, red ribbon: Haley Michaud, East Hardwick (“Career Research”); Tabletop Display, red ribbon, Morgan Michaud, East Hardwick (“Artificial Insemination”), Deegan Michaud, Greensboro (“Wilt Chamberlin”); Photography, blue ribbon, LeighAnn Judd, Wolcott; Poster, blue ribbon.
University of Vermont Extension 4-H educators Lindy Birch and Holly Ferris organized the event with the help of Charlie Somers, Lyndonville, who served as coordinator for the judges’ room. 4-H teen Téa Ferris, Jeffersonville, handled registration.
Judges for the event were Julie Brochu, Craftsbury, and Vermont 4-H Assistant Director Allison Smith (demonstrations and illustrated talks); Jared Birch, Coventry, and Kameron Gallant, Wheelock (action exhibits); Kelsea Aldrich and Emily, Rebecca and Stacey Tanner, all from Lyndonville (tabletop displays); and Shelia Martin and youth volunteers Addison and Lily Sicard, all from Orleans (stage presentations). The judges each received a pencil holder designed by Mud and Maker from Moss Boutique, a shop in Morrisville.