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 10, 2026 – Contest starts at 9:00am
Eligibility: For youth ages 14-19 as of January 1, 2026 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 5, 2025)
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 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, 2026.
Email poster registration to karis@vt.edu by December 20th.
Contest Coordinators are Marlene Joliffe-Pearson and Kari Sponaugle.
WILLIAMSBURG, VA – The 2025 Virginia Association of Fairs (VAF) hosted their annual fair and festival conference January 2-5, 2025 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 2024 fair season. Contest applicants had a chance to earn a portion of over $9,000 in scholarships for post-secondary education.
Eleven 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 4, 2025, 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 – Mary Grace Menuey, Loudoun County Fair
2nd place – Keegan Shannon, Isle of Wight County Fair
3rd place – John Haile, Caroline County Ag Fair
4th place – Rachel Haile, Caroline County Ag Fair
5th place – Nicholas Dewitt, Bedford County Fair
6th place – Shreyas Kalidindi, Loudoun County Fair
7th place – Hannah Smith, Augusta County Fair
8th place – Grace Kasianides, Loudoun County Fair
8th place – Leslie Linton, Fredericksburg Ag Fair
8th place – Elizabeth Zirkle, Shenandoah County Fair
8th place – Pujitha Chippala, Loudoun 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 eight places received total scholarships in the amount of $9,250. 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 Board Member and Youth Leadership Scholarship Contest Chair at karis@vt.edu or 540-468-2225. Next year’s 2026 Conference is set for January 8-11, 2026 at the Lodge in Williamsburg. Get involved with local VAF member fairs and festivals to be eligible for this contest next year.
2025 Poster Contest Winners
1st place - Leighton Newland, Shenandoah County Fair
2nd place - Rachel DeBoer, Madison County Fair
3rd place - Aubrey Newland, Shenandoah County Fair
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.