4-H’ers in Orange and Washington County 4-H clubs proudly showed off their 4-H projects at the 2025 Central Region Spring Showcase.

This year’s showcase was held on April 5 at the University of Vermont (UVM) Extension office in Berlin. Molly McFaun, Extension 4-H educator for the two counties, organized the event, which was sponsored by the Orange County 4-H Foundation and Washington County 4-H Foundation. Evaluators were Camille Kauffman, UVM Extension 4-H educator for Windham and Windsor Counties; Mary Ann McFaun, Barre Town; and 4-H teen Caitlin Packer, also of Barre Town, a member of the Trailblazers 4-H Club.

4 kids in front of a 4-H banner
The 2025 Central Region Spring Showcase, April 5 in Berlin, showcased the fashion sense and sewing skills of several 4-H’ers, including (left to right): Elsie Kidder, Bradford; Ophelia Ross, Newbury; Sati Lazuli, Corinth; and Isabelle Spooner, Bradford, who modeled their outfits at the event. (photo: Chris Pratt)

Participants and their entries were:

  • FASHION REVUE: Elsie Kidder, Bradford (blue overalls and a white shirt); Sati Lazuli, Corinth (green overalls); Ophelia Ross, Newbury (palazzo pants with contrasting pockets); and Isabelle Spooner, Bradford (pig print overalls with pig buttons). Elsie’s outfit was deemed best of show in this category. Each fashion revue participant was asked to prepare a short speech describing their outfit and where they plan to wear it, which was read as they walked the runway. They also were evaluated on written essay questions, reflecting on their sewing progress and the 4-H sewing project. Three outfits were evaluated off the model as these 4-H’ers did not participate on stage in the fashion revue. Alice Young, Bradford, made a rainbow skirt. Tatum Farley sewed daisy overalls and Samantha Hogan, flowered overalls. Both girls are from Piermont, New Hampshire.
  • MAKER/TINKER (DIORAMAS): Tatum Farley, Piermont, New Hampshire (“Mushroom Café”); Isabelle Hatch, Groton, and Ophelia Ross, Newbury (“Ozzie Art Gallery and Studio”); Samantha Hogan, Piermont, New Hampshire (“Scout’s Horse Barn”); Sati Lazuli, Corinth (“My Little Sheep Field”); and Isabelle Spooner, Bradford (“Flower Shop”). Entries in this category focused on the theme “reduce, reuse, recycle,” using items taken out of the waste stream to create a diorama.
  • MAKER/TINKER (OTHER): Adelynn Dessureau, Barre (papier-mâché horse head)
  • NON-CLOTHING SEWING: Alice Young, Bradford (horse pillow and colored zipper bags)
  • POSTER: Huntley Dessureau, Barre (“Pumpkins”). Posters present well-researched, educational information on a specific topic or issue. Huntley’s documented the process of growing a pumpkin for the Tunbridge World’s Fair.
  • SMART SHOPPER: Sati Lazuli, Corinth. For this category, 4-H’ers were asked to create an outfit or complement already owned clothing with items purchased from a thrift store or similar outlet sticking to a budget of $25 or less. Sati’s entry was a cream-colored dress and accessories for a Bridgerton-themed birthday party that she put together for $15.

All entries, with the exception of the poster and non-clothing items, will go onto 4-H State Day, May 17 in Barre.

To learn more about 4-H in Orange and Washington Counties, contact Molly McFaun at (802) 656-4828 or molly.mcfaun@uvm.edu.