Champion in Me shows off animals at the Belmont County Fair
Trending
ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- The Belmont County Fair hosted its first Champion in Me animal showing Saturday, where individuals with disabilities who might not otherwise have the opportunity to show an animal were able to participate.
Junior Fair Board co-coordinator Amber Cawthorne said there were nine people showing goats and rabbits.
Each was paired with a mentor to guide them in showing the mentor's animal.
Doty Toohey, caregiver for participant Heather Thomas of Barnesville, said they were excited about the event.
"It's an amazing opportunity," she said. "It gets them out, get's them feeling like they're included."
Thomas said family members have shown animals, and she was excited to meet the goat she would be showing.
"I've seen my cousins do it," Thomas said. "It seems like a really nice, gentle goat."
Zavier Waitts of Wheeling and mother Tabitha Burns were also getting acquainted with the animals.
"I like animals," Waitts said. "I want to learn about them."
Burns added that her son also enjoys petting zoos and watching 4-H members show animals at the fairs.
Waitts said he decided to show a goat rather than a rabbit because he wanted to walk the animal.
Burns said Waitts has been excited to participate.
"When we first heard about this, I knew this was for him, up his alley. He is an animal lover, so him getting experience with animals is going to be great for him," she said.
His mentor, Daniel Lude of the Barnyard Buddies 4-H Club, said Waitts took to goat showing.
"I think he did awesome. Especially for bracing the goat he did very well, knowing how far the back legs go," he said, adding the experience of raising and showing animals has been valuable for him. "I think these guys should learn and know how to handle an animal and have a chance at it."
Pam Smutney, mother of mentor Eva Smutney of the Bonny Beefers 4-H Club, said one of her daughter's friends was participating in the showing and Eva wanted to help. They said the experience of working with and showing animals is very beneficial.
"It's good for the kids and good for the participants as well," Pam Smutney said.
Noah White of Barnesville was another participant.
"Something new in my life," he said. "This is my first time doing it."
Delaney Steadman of the Bethesda Buckeye 4-H Club mentored Makenna Tingler of Bethesda.
"She did amazing," Steadman said. "I think it was a very nice thing that they did. I think everybody liked it."
Makenna Tingler's mother, Kim Tingler, commented.
"Makenna has been super excited, looking forward to being able to show a rabbit at this event. Her brother has shown animals before, and this was kind of an opportunity for her to participate in that activity," she said.
Kaylin Burress, junior fair board president, originated the idea. She said she was impressed by the excitement of the participants.
"Most of them have never shown a goat or a rabbit," Burress said.
"Overall I really enjoyed the experience. I think it went over super well. All the participants, all the mentees, had a blast. All of them had a chance to speak on the mic," she said. "I found some Junior Fair exhibitors who were willing (to mentor) and they jumped up. Some of them didn't know about it. Once I found them, they were more than willing to help out. All of them loved it."
Burress is already planning ways to spread the word for an even bigger Champion in Me showing next fair.
"I want to get more sponsors so we can hopefully pass the word on," she said.
Cawthorne agreed.
"This year was our first year, so we had a good turnout and the word will spread. All the participants had a lovely time, so hopefully they'll go back and tell other friends of their about the show and we'll get more participants. We'll do a little more networking next year to reach a broader mentee and mentor show."
Thanks went to the sponsors WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital, KO Cattle, 9th Day Feed and Show Supply, Hidden Elms Farm, the Barnesville Elks and the Seven Acre Farm.