4-H queens represent Highland County

Three area students living the 4-H motto of "To make the best better" have been selected at the 2010 livestock queens. 

Kelsey Sheeley, 2010 Highland County Beef Queen; Tonya Fender, 2010 Highland County Pork Queen; and Rachel Clonch, 2010 Highland County Lamb and Wool Queen, each told The Highland County Press they feel their characters and personal development is a result of their participation in 4-H.

Sheeley is the daughter of Tim and Karen Sheeley, and is a junior at Hillsboro High School. She was a state finalist in the FFA Diversified Livestock Entrepreneurship, and is a member Marshall Stockman 4-H Club.

Fender is the daughter of Gary and Connie Fender, and is a junior at Lynchburg-Clay High School. She was a state finalist in FFA Swine Production Entrepreneurship, and is a member Highland County Poultry,Pigs and Lambs 4-H Club.

Clonch is the daughter of Steve and Karen Clonch, and is a junior at Lynchburg-Clay High School. She was a state finalist in FFA Diversified Livestock Production-Placement, and is a member Fantastics 4-H Club.

All three girls are members of the HC Junior Fairboard, active in FFA and all are in top 4 state finalists in their individual award areas, they will find out final results at the State FFA Convention on Friday April 30, 2010 in Columbus.

"I have built more character, more specil skills, and more respect through my livestock projects. I am more of a leader, and I take pride in what I do," Sheeley said.

Fender said she encourages people to support and to participate in 4-H. 

"I would be lost if I didn't have 4-H," Fender said. "If future generations of youth don't get to have the experiences we have had in 4-H it will have a negative impact on our community," Fender said. "Having a 4-H project is kind of like my sport. I don't play high school sports, so when I'm showing my pig."

"I will be greatly disappointed if future generations don't get to continue on with our 4-H traditions," Clonch said. "4-H is a very family oriented experionce. I've got a lot of experions, being in 4-H since i was nine, and went from being very unsocial, sitting in the back of the barn playing cards, to talking to every body. I can go to probaby any place in the county and be able to recognize them from the fair. I've made a lot of memories."

In addition to their animal projects, all three queens have special interste projects thorugh 4-H, such a sscrabbooking and leadership.

"I've been showing since I was three. I was raised on a beef farm, and I've alway sshown been cattle," said Sheeley, who has been in 4-H for nine years."It's my whole life. It's pretty much all I know, and it's fun to do."