Austin Pleiman, left, of Ft Loramie, was crowned Jr Fair King and Riley Barhorst, of Maplewood, was crowned Jr Fair Queen at the Shelby County Fair on Sunday, July 23. Pleiman is the son of Matt and Nicole Pleiman. Barhorst is the daughter of Chris and Amanda Barhorst.
Steve Egbert | Sidney Daily News
By Kimberly Pistone
For the Sidney Daily News
SIDNEY – On Sunday the Junior Fair King and Queen were crowned at the Shelby County Fair.
There were six contestants for queen and three for king. Each contestant was judged for an interview held the previous week, their formal evening wear, and their answers to two questions drawn at random from a bowl.
Austin Pleiman, son of Matt and Nicole Pleiman, was crowned king. Pleiman is a member of Fort Loramie Livestock 4-H Club, and will be attending Ohio State University in the fall pursuing a degree in agriculture engineering. One of the questions he responded to was if he had to give his younger self advice, what would it be. Pleiman responded that he would tell himself to slow down and enjoy the moment, including a quote from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
Riley Barhorst, daughter of Chris and Amanda Barhorst, was crowned queen. Barhorst is a member of Creative Clover 4-H Club, and will be a senior at Jackson Center in the fall. One of the questions she was asked was how she defined success. Her response included making an impact on others and leaving a legacy.
Mr. and Miss Congeniality were also recognized. Jared Baker, son of Jack and Annette Baker and a member of Fort Loramie Livestock 4-H Club was selected as Mr. Congeniality. Brianna Brewer, daughter of Ryan and Nykole Brewer, and a member of the McCartyville Producers 4-H Club, was selected as Miss Congeniality.
Baker and Brewer were also both selected as the first runner up for king and queen. Both Baker and Brewer spoke about their fathers in their question and answers. Baker was asked who his biggest role model was, and he chose his dad. Brewer was asked who was most influential in her life, and she also selected her dad.
Second runner up for king and queen were Porter Depinet, son of Joel and Desiree Depinet, and a member of Perry Livestock 4-H Club, and Eliza Gariety, daughter of Greg and Connie Gariety, a member of the Russia Fashionettes 4-H Club. Both Depinet and Gariety spoke about learning from mistakes in their question and answers. Depinet responded to the question about what are the best qualities a parent can pass on to their children. He responded honesty and learning from mistakes. Gariety responded to a question about the most memorable moment from her years at the Fair, and she talked about how last year she was on the Junior Fair Board rabbit committee, and they made several mistakes and restarted the show to create a successful experience.
Chad Delaet, president of the Shelby County 4-H Foundation, presented four $500 scholarships to 4H members based on a random drawing. These four scholarships were awarded to: Jacob Yenser, son of Andy and Donna Yenser, Botkins Livestock 4-H Club, of Botkins; Eliza Gariety, daughter of Greg and Connie Gariety, Russia Fashionettes 4-H Club, of Russia; Jenna Batton, daughter of John and Kristen Batton, Successful 4-H, of Fairlawn; and Hayden Huelskamp, son of Chad and Tonya Huelskamp, Anna Livestock 4-H Club, of Anna.
Katie Hughes, Shelby County 4-H Extension educator, presented six 4-H students with the Shelby County Outstanding 4-Her awards. These awards were presented to: Karli Hiler, daughter of Mike and Mindy Hiler, Scissors to Sheep 4-H Club, of Sidney; Austin Pleiman, son of Matt and Nicole Pleiman, Fort Loramie Livestock of Fort Loramie; Porter Depine, son of Joel and Desiree Depinet, Perry Livestock 4-H Club, of Sidney; Samantha Jacobs, daughter of Daniel and Jennifer Jacobs , Merry Mod Makers 4-H Club, of Fort Loramie; Leah Meyer , daughter of Greg and Krista Meyer, Anna Livestock 4-H Club, of Anna; and Sable Ruhenkamp, daughter of Brian and Kim Ruhenkamp, Fort Loramie Livestock, of Fort Loramie.
Additional contestants for the Junior Fair Queen included: Courtney Copeland, daughter of Mike and Becky Copeland, Progressive Livestock 4-H Club, of Jackson Center; Alexandria Gaerke, daughter of Jason and Judie Gaerke, Russia Livestock 4-H Club, of Russia; and Lilliana Phillips, daughter of Keith and Sonya Phillips, Successful 4-H Club, of Fairlawn.
