Pennsylvania 4-H enthusiasts statewide recently gathered at Penn State's University Park campus to demonstrate their passion for animal science in a thrilling showcase, the 4-H Animal Bowl and Skillathon Day.
With 109 talented youth aged 10-18 participating, this event offered an exciting platform for young Pennsylvanians to deepen their knowledge and skills in various animal-related disciplines.
The event featured an array of contests, including the dairy bowl, horse bowl, hippology contest, livestock skillathon, and rabbit and cavy bowl and skillathon.
By engaging in these challenging activities, participants applied their understanding of animal care, health, biosecurity, ethics, communication, and more.
In the skillathons, the young enthusiasts put their animal science knowledge into practice, making identifications and solving species-specific problems.
The bowls, on the other hand, tested participants' comprehensive knowledge through rounds of thought-provoking questions.
Divided into junior (10-13 years old) and senior (14-18 years old) categories, the competition was fierce. The winners included Evan Fleisher, Sadie Innerst, Julie Loy, and Gavin Neff in the dairy bowl senior team category, while Aiden Balmer, Ethan Hoffman, and Lathyn Stern triumphed in the junior team category.
The senior division of the hippology contest saw Cloey Barrick, Delaney Barrick, Clayton Hetrick, and Aubrey McBride claim victory, with McBride also securing first place in the individual rankings.
Sydney Arena, Ashlynn Barrick, Stefani Dreese, and Jessica Hair dominated the junior division. Pennsylvania's future equestrian experts showcased their knowledge in the horse bowl, with Serina Bennett, Rhianna Penfield, Trenton Mosier, and Emma Wilson emerging victorious in the senior category.
Gracelynne Kimmerle, Taylor Logsdon, Claren McQuown, and Madilyn Zerbe excelled in the junior division.
The livestock skillathon highlighted the talents of Samantha Freed, Eva Garges, David Hoover, and Kathryn Rush in the senior team category, while Russell Bard, Sheridan McGargle, and Sawyer Werner triumphed in the junior division.
Emma Kennerknecht, Megan Yursic, and Rachel Yursic clinched the top spot in the rabbit and cavy bowl, while Austin Stutler and Sarah Bupp impressed in the individual categories of the rabbit and cavy skillathon.
These competitions not only celebrated the participants' expertise but also paved the way for senior winners to qualify for national-level contests.
Administered by Penn State Extension, the Pennsylvania 4-H program, a nonformal educational youth-development initiative supported by the United States Department of Agriculture, empowers young Pennsylvanians to become capable, caring, and contributing citizens through knowledge and skill development.
The Pennsylvania 4-H Animal Bowl and Skillathon Day proved to be a remarkable event, bringing together enthusiastic youth from across the state to showcase their animal science prowess.
It highlighted the commitment of these young Pennsylvanians to becoming the next generation of knowledgeable and responsible individuals in the field of animal care and welfare.
Photo Credit: 4-H
Categories: Pennsylvania, General