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MANSFIELD — Mya Gee used to get nervous standing in front of a crowd.
But after four years of showing animals at the Richland County Fair, she feels confident.
“Before I did 4-H, I thought it would be so scary and this big, intense experience. But there’s so many helpful people,” the 15-year-old homeschooler said Thursday afternoon.
“I’ve met so many of my friends through doing turkeys. That’s been my favorite part.”
Gee’s turkey was declared reserve champion at the Richland County Fair this week and sold for $1,400 at auction on Thursday afternoon.
A member of the Clear Fork Colts and Fillies 4H Club, Gee began her fair career with rabbits and started showing turkeys last year.
“They’re pretty mellowed-out animals. They don’t do a lot of running around,” she said.
“It’s a little bit of a learning curve with how much to feed them, how to get the right weight, what’s the right amount of exercise. But it’s been fun. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Gee said she saved her fair earnings from the past several years for a car. This year, she’s squirreling money away for college.
Students from all corners of the county showcased poultry and rabbits to a packed audience inside the Richland County Fairgrounds show arena Thursday afternoon. Bidders will have more chances to buy during Saturday’s large animal auction.
Mason Sherk was named the outstanding market exhibitor for rabbits. The honor takes into account an exhibitor’s animal, their care of the animal and showmanship score.
Sherk, 11, is a member of the Rusty Riders 4H club and a third year participant at the fair.
“I think it teaches responsibility,” his father Scott Sherk said. “They get to take care of them every day, feed them, make sure they’re watered.”
The top exhibitors in each class are listed below.
- Kendal Shrader of Madison, grand champion turkey.
- Myah Gee of Lexington, reserve champion turkey.
- Madison Montgomery of Plymouth, grand champion rabbits.
- Mya Stine of Plymouth, reserve champion rabbits.
- Mason Mutchler of Crestview, grand champion broilers.
- Jack Stephens of Crestview, reserve champion broilers.
- Jack Whatman of Clear Fork, grand champion ducks.
- Tanner Beer of Shelby, reserve grand champion ducks.
