Youth Scholarship Contest
Contest Chair: Kari Sponaugle - Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Highland & Bath County
Contact Information: karis@vt.edu Office - 540-468-2225
VAF Board Member Representative: Sarah “Essie” Berry, Secretary
Contest Location: Virginia Association of Fairs Conference
Williamsburg Lodge, 310 South England Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Date: January 4, 2025 – Contest starts at 9:00am
Eligibility: For youth ages 14-19 as of January 1, 2025 who are active participants in a VAF-member fair or festival. Youth can participate more than once if they do not win first place. (See general rules.)
Application Deadline: 1st Friday of December (December 6, 2024)
Mail to: VCE-Highland Attn: Kari Sponaugle, P.O. Box 528, Monterey, VA 24465
(For FedEx: 83 Highland Center Drive, Monterey, VA 24465) - No faxes or e-mails. Late or incomplete entries will not be accepted.
AG IT UP YOUTH POSTER CONTEST
Contest Goal: Create an eye appealing, educational poster that showcases agriculture at your fair.
Contest is for eligible youth age 9 to 13 as of January 1, 2024.
Email poster registration to karis@vt.edu by December 20th. Contest Coordinators are Marlene Joliffe-Pearson and Kari Sponaugle.
WILLIAMSBURG, VA – The 2024 Virginia Association of Fairs (VAF) hosted their annual fair and festival conference January 4-7, 2024 at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, VA. During the conference, the annual VAF Youth Leadership Scholarship Contest was held for youth ages 14-19 who participated in Virginia fairs and festivals during the 2023 fair season. Contest applicants had a chance to earn a portion of over $9,000 in scholarships for post-secondary education.
Eight youth attended and competed in the scholarship contest. Prior to arrival, youth submitted with their application a letter of reference from their representing fair, resume and essay. On contest day, January 6, 2024, participants gave a Digital presentation on a pre-assigned topic and then participated in a rotation of three additional components – an interview, prepared speech and an extemporaneous speech. Contest placings were announced as follows:
1st place – Ruth Haile, Caroline County Agricultural Fair
2nd place – Rachel Craun, Rockingham County Fair
3rd – Mary Grace Menuey, Loudoun County Fair
4th – Declan Martinez, Fauquier County Fair
5th – Rachel Haile, Caroline County Agricultural Fair
6th – Kelli Garrett, Washington County Fair
7th place – Grace Kasianides, Loudoun County Fair
8th place – Keegan Shannon, Isle of Wight County Fair
Winners have until their 23rd birthday to utilize scholarship earnings from their participation for post secondary education. Youth who do not win first place can compete again in future years until they reach age 19. Participants in all seven places received total scholarships in the amount of $8,500. Winners were also announced at the annual VAF Gala Dinner on Saturday night at the lodge as well.
For additional information about this contest, contact Kari Sponaugle, VAF Youth Leadership Scholarship Contest Chair at karis@vt.edu or 540-468-2225. Next year’s 2024 Conference date is already set for January 4-7, 2023 at the Lodge in Williamsburg. Start getting involved with local VAF member fairs and festivals to participate in this contest next year.
