BEST program continues to grow

MARYSVILLE, Ohio – More than 400 people celebrated the 2005-2006 Ohio Cattlemen’s Association BEST (Beef Exhibitor Show Total) program as it wrapped up June 10 with its annual awards banquet held at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus.
The program posted record numbers of cattle and youth this season. More than 450 head of cattle were entered in the BEST program, with more than 300 youth participating in 2005-2006.
The 2005-2006 BEST program featured 15 sanctioned shows across the state.
Steve R. Rauch and the BEST committee recognized program coordinator Dave Greenhorn, winner of the Friend of the BEST Program award. Greenhorn has served as the program’s coordinator for the past several years and stepped down as coordinator at the end of this year.
The Ohio Beef Expo junior show committee was recognized for organizing the 2005-2006 Outstanding BEST Show, based on participant surveys at the conclusion of the season.
Scholarships. Two BEST participants, Allison Agle and Terry Oakes, both of Clark County, each received a $1,500 college scholarship, based on academics and extracurricular activities and not show placings.
Agle is the daughter of Bob and Peggy Agle and Oakes is the son of Terry and Patti Oakes.
In a raffle drawing, Dwight Hamilton of Highland County won the free use of a livestock trailer, complete with BEST logo detailing, for the 2006-2007 BEST season. Eby Trailer donated the lease.
Showmanship winners. Champion beginner showman: Garett Davis, Carroll County; reserve champion beginner showman: Tyler Clark, Miami County; 3. Alexis Horn, Fairfield County; 4. Curtis Harsh, Delaware County; 5. Anna Kiesewetter, Miami County.
Champion junior showman: Caleigh Ott, Huron County; reserve champion junior showman: Jessica Harsh, Delaware County; 3. Paige Kiesewetter, Miami County; 4. Lauren Grimes, Highland County; 5. (tie) Kayla Chalfant, Licking County, and Molly Greenawalt, Highland County.
Champion intermediate showman: Kayla Campbell, Greene County; reserve champion intermediate showman: Megan Greenawalt, Highland County; 3. Kayla Alexander, Clinton County; 4. (tie) Lindsey Grimes, Highland County, and Bailey Harsh, Delaware County; 5. Alivia Trbovich, Carroll County.
Champion senior showman: Josh Greenhorn, Greene County; reserve champion senior showman: Zack Taylor, Clark County; 3. Margo Paeltz, Brown County; 4. Brad Dinnen, Greene County; 5. Josh VanHorn, Morgan County.
Essay winners. An additional feature to the BEST program is the essay contest. Each age division had a different topic to address.
In the beginner division, first place went to Dakota Voss of Fairfield County; second place, Garett Davis of Carroll County; and the third place essay was written by Will Harsh of Delaware County.
The junior winner was Sarah Anne Johnson of Pickaway County; second place, Jessica Harsh of Delaware County; and Amber Shoemaker of Stark County wrote the third place essay.
Bailey Harsh of Delaware County; was the intermediate Winner.
Photography. A new addition to this year’s BEST program was a photography contest. The contest included four divisions: BEST Shows and Activities, Landscapes, People and Around the Farm. Three winners were awarded in each age division and an outstanding was awarded in each photography category.
In the beginner division, first and second places went to Curtis Harsh of Delaware County. Jenna Champer of Madison County won first and second places in the junior division.
Kayla Alexander of Clinton County was first in the intermediate division and Bailey Harsh placed second.
In the senior division, Travis Russell of Shelby County was first; Carmen Russell of Shelby County, second.
The outstanding winners were: BEST Shows and Activities, Travis Russell; Landscape, Jenna Champer; People, Bailey Harsh; Around the Farm, Jenna Champer.
During the BEST awards banquet, junior exhibitors elected new junior representatives for the 2006-2007 season, they are Kayla Alexander, Clinton County; Denelle Billman, Tuscarawas County; and Megan Greenawalt, Highland County.