Highland County 4-H Club members shine at Junior Nationals in Louisville
Pictured are Austin Bohrer, Christian Cummings, Kennedy Hamilton, Brayden Cummings, Blake Osborn and Carly Sanders.
By Luke Kelly
Premier Showmen 4-H Club
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — From June 20-26, seven members of the Premier Showmen 4-H Club proudly represented Highland County and the state of Ohio at the Maine-Anjou and Chianina Junior National Show in Louisville, Ky. The weeklong event brought together youth from across the country to compete, connect, and showcase their skills in the beef cattle industry.
The Junior Nationals featured a wide range of contests, including livestock judging, fitting, salesmanship, photography, videography, quiz bowl, public speaking, and showmanship. These events are designed to test participants’ knowledge and abilities across many facets of agriculture, particularly within the Maine-Anjou and Chianina cattle breeds.
In addition to the competitive events, participants enjoyed a variety of social and educational opportunities such as dodgeball tournaments, feed and supply clinics, and ice cream socials. “It was a great chance to make new friends, see familiar faces, and have an exciting week together showing cattle and representing the beef industry,” said members of the Premier Showmen 4-H Club.
The club brought home several impressive honors:
• Brayden Cummings placed 9th overall in the Salesmanship Contest and 8th as part of the Fitting Team. He also participated in Showmanship and Public Speaking.
• Christian Cummings earned 4th place in his class and competed in the Photography Contest.
• Blake Osborn was named 6th Overall Chianina All-Around Champion, 2nd in the Junior Sweepstakes, a member of the 1st Place Livestock Judging Team, and part of the 2nd Place Overall Fitting Team. He also finished 10th in Public Speaking.
• Kennedy Hamilton helped earn 9th place in the Fitting Team and 5th in Salesmanship. She placed 2nd in class with her Chi-Composite Bred and Owned Heifer and 3rd with her Owned Heifer. She also participated in Quiz Bowl, Photography, and Showmanship.
• Austin Bohrer exhibited both a heifer and steer and participated in the Salesmanship, Quiz Bowl, Fitting, Showmanship, and Judging Contests.
• Carly Sanders was named Reserve Champion Senior Showman, placed 4th Overall Individual in the Senior Judging Contest, earned 3rd in her Chi-Composite Class, and participated in the Quiz Bowl and Photography Contest.
The Premier Showmen’s achievements reflect the hard work and dedication of these young beef agriculturalists, who continue to represent Highland County with pride and passion on the national stage.