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Youth from all over Clay County competed in the 2009 4-H Fair July 6 to 12 at the Earnest Shepherd Youth Center in Liberty.

The fair is an opportunity for youth to showcase topics that they have studied throughout the year. During the fair, participants exhibited an array of topics they spent the year studying including fashion, photography, cake decorating, dog obedience, horse training, veterinary science, conservation and even entomology — the study of bugs.

“I like that in 4-H I can do anything,” Monroe Pruett said. “I wanted to learn about cake decorating — so I took a class, and I got a grand champion for the cake I turned in this year. It’s exciting to see something you’ve worked hard on pay off.”

Many girls involved said they were able to experience activities that make them stronger both inside and out.

“It’s really cool to be involved in 4-H because we get to do so much,” Anna Gouldsmith said. “This year we got to do shooting sports, and there were more girls there than boys. I liked that we are able to do stuff like that; if I wasn’t in 4-H, I wouldn’t be able to do so many fun things.”

Griffy Kesler, 11, of Kearney, who entered 25 exhibits this year, also said he likes that he can study just about any topic in the club.

“I like all that we learn,” Kesler said. “I’ve been in 4-H for six years, and every year my exhibits have won grand prize, which means I can take them to the State Fair. I like the competition, but really it’s just cool do be able to study about entomology and geology; I think those are my favorites.”

Twins Mark and Isaiah Wiese of Gladstone focused many of their projects on conservation. During the fair the brothers presented an exhibit on having fun without the use of batteries or electricity. Together the boys explored outdoors near their home and caught several crawfish in a nearby creek, which they brought as part of their exhibit.

“It’s important that we preserve our natural resources,” Mark Wiese said. “Building houses for birds and bats, for example, is important because it not only provides them a home, but they eat the bugs in your yard. It’s just good to take care of nature.”

Hundreds of exhibits are showcased each year, but for those in 4-H the reward is not so much in the winning but the lessons learned and the friendships made.

“You get to meet lots of new people when you’re in 4-H,” said Brynne Davis, who lives in Kansas City and attends Liberty Public Schools. “It’s just a lot of fun being able to make friends from all over and be able to share your interests with each other.”

Davis and her friend, Pruett, both competed in several categories, some even against each other.

“We both enter exhibits in the fashion revue,” Pruett said. “We sew a piece of clothing and model it. The judges ask us questions about the outfits that we’ve created. I like having the chance to show off the stuff I’ve worked on, and even though we compete against each other sometimes, it’s still fun.”

Nancy Mense, 4-H youth specialist from the University of Missouri Extension program, said the week of the fair was an important event because it gave kids a chance to shine.

“The pride that you see on their faces really makes this whole week worthwhile,” Mense said. “I think it’s the best part of the year. They get an opportunity to show what they’ve learned, and they are so excited. It’s really a great time.”

Staff writer Carrie Alexander can be reached at 628-6010 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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