BELLVILLE — District 11 Spring Spectacular is held annually in April with the purpose of advancing senior-level 4-H members to their state contests and hosting the highest level of competition for junior and intermediate age divisions.
To qualify for participation at the district level for certain contests, Austin County 4-H members must compete at the county level in March at Austin County 4-H Roundup. This year, there were seven members who competed in the County Roundup held March 25 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Bellville.
Kaesee Brune showed off a pair of hand-tooled leather chaps that he made and entered into the Fashion Show division. Katelyn Krenek and Hannah Henderson delivered speeches to the audience and answered questions about their speech topic areas from the judges.
Krenek’s speech was titled “Remembering the Roots of our Past to Plant Seeds for the Future,” and Hannah’s speech, titled “The Best Project: Rabbits,” convinced attendees that everyone could raise their own furry friend.
Langley Walton danced her way through a choreographed routine to the song “Stitches” in the Talent Showcase. Then, the audience was focused on Grace Lischka as she presented her Health & Wellness Educational Presentation on Teen Anxiety.
Finally, members Maddison Diezi and Braeden Kuecker closed out Roundup with their Solo Band Talent Showcase entries, where they both sang and played their guitars. Diezi performed an acoustic version of “Girl Crush,” by Little Big Town, and Kuecker performed a rendition of Crystal Blue Persuasion.
This year, 29 Austin County 4-H members participated in the District 11 Spring Spectacular Event. The first day of competition featured the Livestock Quiz Bowl contests, in which teams of four members tested their knowledge of livestock through a head-to-head game system.
Austin County entered three junior teams consisting of Lainey Davis, Kinley Kokemor, Rory Melton, Rylee Melton, Ethan Minarcik, Keaton Minarcik, Addison Novicke, Brie Novicke, Rhett Reichardt, Claire Schneider, Ethan Schumann and Luke Schumann. After stiff competition and moving their way through the double elimination bracket, Austin County 4-H Maroon Team, Kokemor, Luke Schumann, Schneider, and Ethan Schumann, secured a third place finish.
For the two senior teams, this contest afforded a chance to advance to State 4-H Roundup, and both teams were successful. After a full day of testing their livestock knowledge, Austin Co. 4-H Green team, consisting of Darcy Luedke, Krenek, Katie Schumann, and Madilyn McCullough were the reserve champions, and the Austin Co. 4-H White Team consisting of Jackson Vykukal, Kash Krueger, Layne Malinowski, and Levi Malinowski placed third overall. Afterwards, they shifted gears and went straight into the Fashion Show Contest where exhibitors can construct their own garments or purchase items.
Fashion Show Competitors are then asked to present their outfits or garments in an interview setting where their knowledge of their entry, as well as their consumer decision-making skills, are put to the test. Once the interview is completed, 4-Hers walk down the runway to show off the specifics and overall design of their fashion showpiece. Jase Maynor entered the Junior Buying “Dressy” Division, Brune competed in the Senior Buying “Special Interest” Division, and Makayla Makowsky won the Senior Buying “Fantastic Fashions Under $25” and advanced to State.
Wrapping up day one, two members competed in Public Speak- ing, where they delivered a five to eight-minute talk suitable as a platform speech or radio broadcast to persuade others regarding a particular issue or concern.
Henderson competed in the Junior Division and ended up in sixth place overall with her rabbit speech, and Krenek was named the Reserve Champion Senior Public Speaker and advanced to the state level with her speech.
Day two of Spring Spectacular opened with Lischka’s educational presentation in the Health & Wellness division where she was named the reserve champion and advanced to State 4-H Roundup.
For the first time, there was rep resentation in the junior division of the Duds to Dazzle competition. Allie Eckert, Henderson, and Paige Toole dove headfirst into this con test where you are given an item and must repurpose it – sewing, gluing, and designing included.
To close out the final day, mem bers competed in the 4-H Talent Showcase. Walton danced her way into the crowd’s heart with her choreographed routine to the song “Stitches,” and Kuecker was named champion of the Intermediate Solo/Band Performance Division for his cover of “Crystal Blue Persuasion.”
Austin County 4-H is proud to be well represented at the district level and wishes good luck to all the state-bound participants.
