4-H District Contest Winners Announced

By Kaye Kasza

Extension Agent

August 1, 2003

The 4-H District Demonstrations, Creative Cooks, and Cake Decorating Contests were held in Eads recently. Kiowa County 4-H members hosted this event on July 19 at the Community Building at the fairgrounds. Four-H members at these contests have already won their county contest, and thus are eligible to compete at state. The 4-H District includes seven counties: Baca, Bent, Cheyenne, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers.

Carrie Roberson of Kiowa County had the top demonstration, telling the audience about showing rabbits. She received a $50 savings bond for having the best demonstration. Carrie is on a roll; this is the fourth year in a row she won best demonstration. She also won Intermediate Division Champion. Intermediate Reserve Champion was Jacob Machone of Prowers County. Intermediate Tara Spady (Kiowa) won a blue ribbon. In the Junior Division, Steven Buchele of Prowers won Champion, and Senior Milly Spady won Champion of her division. All the demonstrators showed how to do a skill they learned in a 4-H project.

In the Creative Cooks Contest, a team of Shalyn Laird and Chevaun Glover of Kiowa County won the $50 Savings Bond for having the best entry. They also won Champion Intermediate and a cash award from the Southeast Colorado CattleWomen for the best use of beef. Their meal featured Beef Sukiyaki, and a colorful table service from Japan. Jennifer Negley (Kiowa) won Reserve Champion Intermediate and 2^nd place from the CattleWomen for use of beef. In this contest, the members planned a menu, chose table service, and then prepared one food from the menu. The members are quizzed on their knowledge of nutrition, food safety, food preparation, and menu planning.

Tawna McDonald of Cheyenne County was the winner of Best Entry and the $50 Savings Bond in the Cake Decorating Contest. Tawna also won Intermediate Champion. Intermediate Reserve Champion was Milly Spady (Kiowa). In the Senior Division, Jessica McDonald (Cheyenne) was Champion. These contestants decorated a cake using skills learned in their unit of Cake Decorating. They struggled with melting icing on this very hot day, but overcame this obstacle to create beautiful cakes.

These contests increase members’ skills at public speaking and interviewing, and improve skills learned in their 4-H projects. Watch for these contestants at the Colorado State Fair in August.