NEW CASTLE —
Every year, at least two youths stand out from the crowd at the Lawrence County Fair.
That is especially true when it comes to dedication and involvement in 4-H and livestock.
This year, Jocelyn Kelly of Wampum and Jenny Ratvasky of Volant were considered as among those by their peers and 4-H and FFA leaders.
Kelly received the Junior Livestock Award, given by the Junior Livestock Association for her work in 4-H and for being a role model for other youngsters in the program.
Ratvasky received the Joe Schick Award, given in remembrance of the late Lawrence County agriculture extension agent.
Both awards were presented Saturday at the annual Junior Livestock Sale.
Ed Nichol, a beef breeder and owner of Maple Lane Farm near Enon Valley, was recognized for his many years as president of the Junior Livestock Association and as a 4-H beef leader for more than 30 years.
Kelly has shown champion breeding stock animals at the fair for years and competed at other 4-H shows and expos.
She exhibited the champion keyhole pony for three years at state 4-H horse shows.
Kelly gives back to her community as a volunteer firefighter. A licensed massage therapist, she hopes to pursue a career in equine massage and animal chiropractic.
She has held various offices and positions in 4-H and participated in camp counselor training, state days, conferences and 4-H camps. She was selected as the outstanding 4-H member.
This is Kelly’s last year in showing in 4-H.
Baby Beef Club leaders credit her for being “willing to help anyone who asks. Kids will come up to her at the fair and ask for help. She always drops what she is doing to go and help them. She really enjoys working with the young people.”
Kelly has helped with the Lawrence County 4-H fund-raising auction for several years and has been on the development committee as a junior member.
Ratvasky was an active member of 4-H before joining the Wilmington FFA. She was chapter president and chaired its parliamentary procedure team and helped take the team to regional competition this year.
Ratvasky has been involved with the Ag Encounter program for four years, helping to present the dairy program to county fourth-graders.
She earned her Keystone Degree in January and the Western Region Star in production because of her exemplary supervised agricultural experience project books.
A graduate of Wilmington High, she received the DeKalb award in school this year, given to the top senior in each class.
She also has earned multiple record book awards at the state level.
Ratvasky raises and shows dairy and market goats and steers and was active on the square dance team, banquet committee, volleyball committee and teach ag day.
She assisted with the pancake dinners in Volant and taught students about agriculture in the evening program. She helps with the school district’s Colonial Days.
Ratvasky plans to attend Pitt in Titusville for a career in the health field with children.
Joanna McKelvey, her FFA adviser who nominated her for the award, commented, “I feel that Jenny possesses many of the qualities that Joe Schick would look for in a young member.”
(Email: dwachter@ncnewsonline.com)
Lawrence County Fair
Related Photos
-
Ed Nichol, a beef breeder and owner of Maple Lane Farm near Enon Valley, was recognized for his many years as president of the Junior Livestock Association and as a 4-H beef leader for more than 30 years. Debbie Wachter
-
Jocelyn Kelly, left, and Jenny Ratvasky were honored as outstanding 4-H members. Kelly received the Junior Livestock Award, and Ratvasky received the Joe Shick Award. Debbie Wachter
Discussion
Honors presented as fair ends
- Lawrence County Fair
-
-
One Last Look: Photo galleries, video and stories from the Lawrence County Fair
It was a week to remember. Plenty of food, fun and excitement took place at the Lawrence County Fair. Relive all the memories one more time.
-
Photo Gallery, Story: Livestock auction caps county fair
Cooler weather, blue skies and support of the agriculture industry were among reasons meat-buyers went to the fair early Saturday. But most went to put their money behind the hard-working youths who had spent the year raising animals for this big week.
-
Honors presented as fair ends
Every year, at least two youths stand out from the crowd at the Lawrence County Fair. That is especially true when it comes to dedication and involvement in 4-H and livestock. This year, Jocelyn Kelly of Wampum and Jenny Ratvasky of Volant were considered as among those by their peers and 4-H and FFA leaders.
-
Photo Gallery, Story: Grand champion animals selected
The top-showing animals at the Lawrence County Fair and the youths who raised them were honored with banners and ribbons. Buyers at the Lawrence County Junior Livestock Sale Saturday paid for those winners as a way to support local 4-H and FFA youths and their endeavors.
-
Wool fashions highlighted in sheep show
The beautiful possibilities of wool were on display Friday night at the Lawrence County Fair. About 200 people attended the annual Lead Line fashion show in the livestock arena, where children ages four to 18 and some adults modeled handmade woolen clothing in glorious variety.
-
Photo Gallery, Story: Olympics help farm families pass time at fair
Even the county fair can get boring for farm kids who stay on the grounds all week. For them — and other interested youngsters — the “Farm Olympics” were born to add some fun with farm-themed contests.
-
Lambs draw former resident baaaaack to area
For Joel Mariacher Jr., the Lawrence County Fair means coming home. The former Wampum/New Beaver-area resident flew in Tuesday morning to coordinate lamb showmanship. “It is a homecoming for me,” he said.
-
Video, Photo Gallery: Cows, calves in fair’s spotlight
You wouldn’t expect to see a calf dressed as a soldier or a superhero. But calves in all sorts of get-ups — as well as costumed toddlers and children and young women in high heels — traipsed through the sawdust in the livestock show arena at the Lawrence County Fair last night to promote dairy products.
-
Photo Gallery: Sam Luptak Jr.'s images from Wednesday at the fair
Plenty of food and fun prevailed Wednesday as the Lawrence County Fair continued with its 2012 edition. But don’t forget about all the cool rides! News correspondent Sam Luptak Jr. was on hand to capture a gallery of images.
-
Photo Gallery: Tiffany Wolfe's images from Wednesday at the Lawrence County Fair
Plenty of food and fun prevailed Wednesday as the Lawrence County Fair continued with its 2012 edition. News correspondent Tiffany Wolfe was on hand to capture a gallery of images.
- More Lawrence County Fair Headlines
-
