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Wood County 4-H & FFA Summer Showcase celebrates youth, agriculture and community

By From Staff Reports 11 min read

MINERAL WELLS - The 2026 Wood County 4-H & FFA Summer Showcase welcomed hundreds of exhibitors, volunteers, families and community members to the Wood County 4-H Camp for five days of exhibits, livestock shows, educational activities and entertainment.

The annual event, which was held July 14-18, showcased the accomplishments of local 4-H and FFA members while also providing opportunities for adults and community members to participate through CEOS and open exhibits, according to a press release from the Wood County WVU Extension Office.

Other activities included the Youth Business Fair, produce market, vendors, Kids Day, live entertainment and the Austin Shawver Master Showman Competition.

"The Summer Showcase celebrates the hard work, leadership, and life skills developed by youth through year-round participation in 4-H and FFA," officials said in the press release. "The Summer Showcase is truly a community effort, made possible through the generosity of dedicated sponsors, livestock buyers, local businesses, volunteers, parents, exhibitors and community partners.

"The Wood County 4-H Leaders Association is grateful to everyone who invested their time, talents, and resources to make this year’s event a success."

More than 250 youth exhibited projects and livestock during the Showcase, demonstrating skills developed through months of learning and preparation. From photography, foods, leadership and environmental projects to market animals and breeding livestock, exhibitors demonstrated responsibility, record keeping, public speaking and sportsmanship while sharing the results of their hard work with judges and the community.

To complete a 4-H still project, members successfully completed a project book, maintained an activity record documenting their participation in community service and educational experiences and exhibited their projects for judging during the Showcase. Project areas included beekeeping, cooking, sewing, leadership, photography, livestock, career readiness, shooting sports and many other educational topics, according to the press release.

Projects were evaluated and awarded blue, red or white ribbons based on their scores, with the top three exhibits in each class recognized and outstanding projects receiving Best of Show honors.

Best of Show Honorees

· Animal Science: Adaline Stout - Rabbit, Year 1

· Communication & Expressive Arts: Bre Taylor - Focus on Photography, Year 1

· Environmental Education: Sophia Burgess - Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

· Food & Nutrition/Cooking: Josephine Myers - Cooking 201

· Food & Nutrition/Food Preservation: Callie Dixon - Home Food Preservation

· Leadership, Personal Development & Volunteer Service: Sophia Burgess - My Hands to Larger Service

· Health & Personal Safety: Chase Boso - Hiking/Outdoor Adventures

· Miscellaneous: Landon Banks - Know Your State, Year 3

· Technology & Engineering: Arianna Smith - 4-H Geo Quest

· This Is 4-H: Amelia Edman-Moore

· Shooting Sports: Abrianna Fleak - Archery

Still Project Results

Animal Science

· Pet Pals - Year 1: 1st - Collin Lewis

· Hog - Year 2: 1st - Harlee Donato

· Goat - Year 1: 1st - Brylee Poling

· Goat - Year 2: 1st - Riley Smith

· Rabbit - Year 1: 1st - Adaline Stout (Best of Show)

· Horse - Year 1: 1st - Scarlet Probasco

· Horse - Year 3: 1st - Trinity Probasco

· Horse - Year 6: 1st - Kyra Bell

· Sheep - Year 8: 1st - Hannah Arnold

· Poultry - Year 3: 1st - Kelsey Dennis

Communication & Expressive Arts

· Focus on Photography - Year 1: 1st - Bre Taylor (Best of Show)

· Focus on Photography - Year 2: 1st - Isabella Bland; 2ⁿᵈ - Bonnie Lyons

· Get Started in Art: 1st - Rose Casto

· Sewing: 1st - Sabrina Heddleston

· Quilting: 1st - Morgan Wicker

Environmental Education

· Fishing - Year 1: 1st - Logan Wagoner

· Fishing - Year 2: 1st - Sophia Burgess

· Tree Identification - Year 1: 1st - Cornelia Kimes; 2ⁿᵈ - Jordan Dearth

· Tree Identification - Year 2: 1st - Morgan Wicker; 2ⁿᵈ - Jansen Dearth

· Beekeeping - Book 1: 1st - Autumn Martin

· Beekeeping - Book 3: 1st - Brayden Keeney

· Reduce, Reuse & Recycle: 1st - Sophia Burgess (Best of Show)

Food & Nutrition

· Cooking 101: 1st - Addalynn Fleak; 2ⁿᵈ - Elizabeth Thompson

· Cooking 101 - Year 3: 1st - Ava Anderson

· Cooking 201: 1st - Josephine Myers (Best of Show); 2ⁿᵈ - Jillian Riddle; 3ʳᵈ - Evan Banks

· Cooking 301: 1st - Chase Breen

· Home Food Preservation: 1st - Callie Dixon (Best of Show)

Leadership, Personal Development & Volunteer Service

· Financial Future - Beginner: 1st - Michael Stull

· Financial Future - Advanced: 1st - Demetrie Smith; 2nd - Jeremiah Stull

· Seeing Yourself in the Future - Career Readiness: 1st - Samantha Thompson

· My Hands to Larger Service: 1st - Sophia Burgess (Best of Show)

Health & Personal Safety

· Hiking/Outdoor Adventures: 1st - Chase Boso (Best of Show); 2nd - Cate McLain; 3rd - Camryn McLain

Miscellaneous

· Self-Determined Intermediate: 1st - Callie Dixon; 2nd - Savannah Tice

· Self-Determined Advanced: 1st - Emma Casto; 2nd - Shayleigh Gard; 3rd - Ali Evans

· Know Your State - Year 1: 1st - Jeremiah Stull

· Know Your State - Year 2: 1st - Morgan Wicker

· Know Your State - Year 3: 1st - Landon Banks (Best of Show)

Technology & Engineering

· Computer Science: 1st - Arianna Smith

· 4-H Geo Quest: 1st - Arianna Smith (Best of Show)

This Is 4-H

· This Is 4-H: 1st - Amelia Edman-Moore (Best of Show); 2nd - Marley Edman-Moore; 3rd - Thomas Ferrebee

Shooting Sports

· Air Rifle: 1st - Braden Whitlatch

· Archery: 1st - Abrianna Fleak (Best of Show); 2nd - Addalynn Fleak

In addition to 4-H project exhibits, the Summer Showcase featured a variety of open competitions that welcomed participants of all ages from throughout the community. Open exhibits included flowers, vegetables, eggs, art, photography, potato decorating and a Small Pet Show. The following exhibitors were recognized for their outstanding entries in the 2026 Wood County 4-H & FFA Summer Showcase.

Open Show Exhibit Results

Open Exhibit Best of Show Winners

· Art Contest: Colton Fleak

· Photography: Sophia Burgess

· Egg Display Contest: Morgan Wicker

· Flower Contest: Morgan Wicker

· Vegetable Contest: Brylee Poling

· Potato Decorating Contest: Chase Boso

· Pet Show: Mason Lewis

Art Contest

· Drawing - Senior Division: 1st - Jansen Dearth; 2nd - Braden Whitlatch; 3rd - Bristol Florence

· Drawing - Intermediate Division: 1st - Colton Fleak

· Painting - Senior Division: 1st - Bristol Florence; 2nd - Lorelei Dent

· Painting - Intermediate Division: 1st - Colton Fleak (Best of Show); 2nd - Abram Dent

· Painting - Beginner Division: 1st - Bella Wright

· 3D - Intermediate Division: 1st - Owen Banks

Photography

· Special Effects - Senior Division: 1st - Landon Banks; 2nd - Evan Banks

· Special Effects - Intermediate Division: 1st - Sophia Burgess (Best of Show)

· Scenic - Senior Division: 1st - Evan Banks; 2nd - Morgan Wicker; 3rd - Lorelei Dent

· Scenic - Junior/Intermediate Division: 1st - Owen Banks; 2nd - Chase Boso; 3rd - Sophia Burgess

· People - Senior Division: 1st - Morgan Wicker; 2nd - Landon Banks

· Animal - Senior Division: 1st - Lorelei Dent; 2nd - Evan Banks; 3rd - Morgan Wicker

· Animal - Intermediate Division: 2nd - Chase Boso

· Animal - Junior Division: 1st - Owen Banks

· Nature - Intermediate Division: 1st - Chase Boso

Flower Contest

· Sunflower: 1st - Morgan Wicker (Best of Show)

· Black-Eyed Susans: 2nd - Morgan Wicker

· Coneflower: 3rd - Callie Dixon

Vegetable Contest

· Summer Squash: 1st - Brylee Poling (Best of Show); 2nd - Autumn Martin

Egg Display Contest

· Brown Eggs - Senior Division: 1st - Morgan Wicker; 2nd - Autumn Martin; 3rd - Jordan Dearth

· Brown Eggs - Intermediate Division: 2nd - Chase Boso

· Brown Eggs - Junior Division: 1st - Carly Gifford

· Brown Eggs - Beginner Division: 1st - Wyatt Worst; 2nd - Owen Banks

· White Eggs - Senior Division: 1st - Morgan Wicker (Best of Show); 2nd - Autumn Martin

· White Eggs - Beginner Division: 1st - Wyatt Worst; 2nd - Owen Banks

· Rainbow Eggs - Senior Division: 1st - Morgan Wicker

· Rainbow Eggs - Intermediate Division: 1st - Karson Pigott

· Rainbow Eggs - Beginner Division: 2nd - Landon Pigott

Potato Decorating Contest

· Adult Division: 1st - Shelley Lewis; 2nd - Linda Dearth

· Senior Division: 1st - Evan Banks; 2nd - Collin Lewis; 3rd - Morgan Wicker

· Intermediate Division: 1st - Chase Boso (Best of Show); 2nd - Harlee Donato

· Beginner Division: 1st - Brooklyn Garrison; 2nd - Sarah Life; 3rd - Owen Banks

Pet Show

· Miscellaneous: 1st - Eddie Lewis

· Best Dressed: 1st - Mason Lewis (Best of Show); 2nd - Mayci Moles

· Best Trick: 1st - Peyton Smith; 2nd - Kyra Bell; 3rd - Myleigh Moles

· Most Unusual: 1st - Maddison Miller

· Clover Bud: Sara Life; Olivia Life

The showcase also featured livestock exhibitions, where 4-H and FFA members demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have developed through year-long livestock projects. Exhibitors complete project records documenting the care and expenses associated with raising their animals, including feed and veterinary costs, and compete in showmanship classes that evaluate their knowledge, handling skills, and presentation. The following are the results of the 2026 livestock shows by species.

Livestock Grand Champions

Goat Showmanship Grand Champions

· Senior: Kyra Bell

· Intermediate: Reagan Lawrentz

· Junior: Autumn Martin

· Beginner: Harlee Donato

Grand Champion Exhibits

· Market Goat: Ady Matheny

· Breeding Goat: Ady Matheny

Sheep Showmanship Grand Champions

· Ages 17 & Over: Michelle Sampson

· Ages 14-16: Morgan Wicker

· Ages 11-13: Madison Waybright

· Ages 9-10: Harlee Donato

Grand Champion Exhibits

· Market Lamb: Morgan Wicker

· Breeding Ewe: Lorelei Dent

Swine Showmanship Grand Champions

· Senior: Reagan Parsons

· Intermediate: Bristol Florence

· Junior: Connor Nelson

· Beginner: Kennedy Smith

Grand Champion Exhibits

· Market Hog: Reagan Parsons

Rabbit Showmanship Grand Champions

· Senior: Hannah Arnold

· Intermediate: Lunden Schneider

· Junior: Morgan Smith

· Beginner: Adaline Stout

Grand Champion Exhibits

· Market Rabbit: Alena Koon

Poultry Showmanship Grand Champions

Chicken

· Senior: Hannah Arnold

· Intermediate: Cooley Dixon

· Junior: Brylee Whitlatch

· Beginner: Rylee Archer

Turkey

· Senior: Hannah Arnold

· Intermediate: Callie Dixon

Grand Champion Exhibits

· Market Turkey: Callie Dixon

· Market Chickens: Cooley Dixon

Beef Showmanship Grand Champions

· Senior: Michelle Sampson

· Intermediate: Morgan Wicker

· Junior: Madison Waybright

· Beginner: Danika Williams

Grand Champion Exhibits

· Breeding Heifer: Jonathan Kaufman

· Feeder Heifer: Brayden Taylor

· Feeder Steer: Kayleen Staats

· Market Steer: Reagan Parsons

Horse Show Division Grand Champions

· Junior Western Horse: Kelsey Dennis

· Junior Western Pony: Reagan Lawrentz

· Junior Gaited Horse: Brylee Poling

· Junior Gaited Pony: Dixie Swiger

· Senior Contest Horse: Olivia Stewart

· Junior Contest Horse: Maddie Waybright

Goat Show

Showmanship

· Senior: 1st (Grand Champion) - Kyra Bell; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Kaetlyn Clark; 3rd - Mason Lewis

· Intermediate: 1st (Grand Champion) - Reagan Lawrentz; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Ady Matheny; 3rd - Garrett Nelson; 4th - Collin Lewis

· Junior: 1st (Grand Champion) - Autumn Martin; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Karter Hamrick; 3rd - Connor Nelson; 4th - Karson Pigott

· Beginner: 1st (Grand Champion) - Harlee Donato; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Amelia Edman-Moore; 3rd - Marley Edman-Moore; 4th - Jackson Anderson

Overall Market Goat Exhibit Winners

· Grand Champion: Ady Matheny

· Reserve Champion: Connor Nelson

Overall Breeding Goat Exhibit Winners

· Grand Champion: Ady Matheny

· Reserve Champion: Justin Donato

Sheep Show

Showmanship

· 17 & Over: 1st (Grand Champion) - Michelle Sampson; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Marissa Hendershot; 3rd - Raeleigh Parsons; 4th - Alena Koon

· Ages 14-16: 1st (Grand Champion) - Morgan Wicker; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Lorelei Dent; 3rd - Reagan Lawrentz; 4th - Collin Lewis

· Ages 11-13: 1st (Grand Champion) - Madison Waybright; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Anna Kaufman; 3rd - Ezekiel Dent; 4th - Justin Donato

· Ages 9-10: 1st (Grand Champion) - Harlee Donato; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Job Robinson; 3rd - Carly Gifford; 4th - Rylee Archer

Overall Market Lamb Exhibit Winners

· Grand Champion: Morgan Wicker

· Reserve Champion: Anna Kaufman

Overall Breeding Ewe Exhibit Winners

· Grand Champion: Lorelei Dent

· Reserve Champion: Marissa Hendershot

Swine Show

Showmanship

· Senior: 1st (Grand Champion) - Reagan Parsons; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Josh Steele; 3rd - Kloey Miller; 4th - Addison Smith

· Intermediate: 1st (Grand Champion) - Bristol Florence; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Garrett Nelson; 3rd - Ashlyn Carson; 4th - Brantley Mace

· Junior: 1st (Grand Champion) - Connor Nelson; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Lane Mullen; 3rd - Sophia Burgess; 4th - Justin Donato

· Beginner: 1st (Grand Champion) - Kennedy Smith; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Colton Fleak; 3rd - Wyatt Townsend; 4th - Tucker Fordyce

Overall Market Swine Exhibit Winners

· Grand Champion: Reagan Parsons

· Reserve Champion: Morgan Smith

Rabbit Show

Showmanship

· Senior: 1st (Grand Champion) - Hannah Arnold; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Alena Koon; 3rd - Nathanael Blair

· Intermediate: 1st (Grand Champion) - Lunden Schneider; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Emmy Fullerton; 3rd - Lillian Blair

· Junior: 1st (Grand Champion) - Morgan Smith; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Emmy Ingold; 3rd - Maddie Waybright

· Beginner: 1st (Grand Champion) - Adaline Stout; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Carly Gifford; 3rd - Olivia Mounts

Overall Market Rabbit Exhibit Winners

· Grand Champion: Alena Koon

· Reserve Champion: Lunden Schneider

Poultry Show

Chicken Showmanship

· Senior: 1st (Grand Champion) - Hannah Arnold; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Davian Miller

· Intermediate: 1st (Grand Champion) - Cooley Dixon; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Cayden Moles

· Junior: 1st (Grand Champion) - Brylee Whitlatch; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Braden Whitlatch

· Beginner: 1st (Grand Champion) - Rylee Archer; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Lane Mullen

Turkey Showmanship

· Senior: 1st (Grand Champion) - Hannah Arnold; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Brayden Keeney

· Intermediate: 1st (Grand Champion) - Callie Dixon

Overall Market Turkey Exhibit Winners

· Grand Champion: Callie Dixon

· Reserve Champion: Hannah Arnold

Overall Market Chickens Exhibit Winners

· Grand Champion: Cooley Dixon

· Reserve Champion: Callie Dixon

Beef Show

Beef Showmanship

· Senior: 1st (Grand Champion) - Michelle Sampson; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Reagan Parsons

· Intermediate: 1st (Grand Champion) - Morgan Wicker; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Kayleen Staats

· Junior: 1st (Grand Champion) - Madison Waybright; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Alexis Collins

· Beginner: 1st (Grand Champion) - Danika Williams; 2nd (Reserve Champion) - Addalynn Fleak

Overall Breeding Heifer Exhibit Winners

· Grand Champion: Jonathan Kaufman

· Reserve Champion: Michelle Sampson

Overall Feeder Heifer Exhibit Winners

· Grand Champion: Brayden Taylor

· Reserve Champion: Remi Radcliff

Overall Feeder Steer Exhibit Winners

· Grand Champion: Kaylee Staats

· Reserve Champion: Maddie Waybright

Overall Market Steer Exhibit Winners

· Grand Champion: Reagan Parsons

· Reserve Champion: Braxton Fordyce

Horse Show

Showmanship and Division Champions

· Junior Gaited Horse Division: 1st - Brylee Poling (Grand Champion)

· Junior Western Horse Division: 1st - Kelsey Dennis (Grand Champion); 2nd - Olivia Mounts (Reserve Champion); 3rd - Abigail Gibson; 4th - Kay Barrett

· Senior Contest Horse Division: 1st - Olivia Stewart (Grand Champion); 2nd - Ashlyn Carson (Reserve Champion)

· Junior Contest Horse Division: 1st - Maddie Waybright (Grand Champion); 2nd - Riley Smith (Reserve Champion)

· Junior Western Pony Division: 1st - Reagan Lawrentz (Grand Champion); 2nd - Maci Swiger (Reserve Champion)

· Junior Gaited Pony Division: 1st - Dixie Swiger (Grand Champion)

· Junior Draft Horse Division: 1st - Lane Mullen (Grand Champion)

Austin Shawver Master Showman Competition

The Austin Shawver Master Showman Competition recognizes outstanding senior livestock exhibitors who demonstrate exceptional knowledge, animal handling skills, and professionalism across multiple livestock species. Contestants qualify by earning Senior Showmanship honors in their respective species, with Reserve Champions advancing when needed to ensure each species is represented.

2026 Master Showman Contestants

· Kyra Bell - Goat

· Michelle Sampson - Sheep

· Josh Steele - Swine

· Alena Koon - Rabbit

· Hannah Lent - Poultry

· Reagan Parsons - Beef

· Olivia Stewart - Horse

2026 Austin Shawver Master Showman: Michelle Sampson

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