Rutland--The 2023 Southwest Regional 4-H Day was held March 25 at the Hub CoWorks in Downtown Rutland. 

The annual event showcased the talents of 34 4-H'ers from three counties, providing an opportunity for them to demonstrate what they have learned through University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H projects. Along with earning ribbons, the top stage performances, posters, illustrated talks and other category entries also qualified for 4-H State Day, May 6 in Barre, which features outstanding 4-H'ers from throughout the state.

Entries selected for 4-H State Day are:

RUTLAND COUNTY

  • ILLUSTRATED TALK: Anna Campopiano, Mount Holly ("Basic Hoof Care"); Thea Chase, Mount Holly ("Diet of a Healthy Horse"); Chase Stone, Wallingford ("The Horse")
  • MAKER/TINKER: Kayleigh Briggs, Pittsford (over-the-head mask of Jasper, a book character, with a short laptop presentation)
  • PHOTOGRAPHY: Olivia Bullock, Rutland Town ("Aries")
  • POSTER: Kelsey Davis, Clarendon ("Appaloosa Horse Braids"); Paisley Flanders, Clarendon ("How to Saddle a Horse"); Julianna Gouchberg, Clarendon ("Customer Service"); Juliette Michael, Wallingford ("Face Markings of Horses"); Ashlynn Pikkarainen, East Wallingford ("Facts about the Shire Horse"); Brie Pikkarainen, East Wallingford ("4 Basic Gymkhana Horses"); Jenna Pikkarainen, East Wallingford ("Nokota"); Amie Thurston, Clarendon ("Different Colored Tail Ribbons")
  • SEWING: Lucia Stubbins, Rutland Town (hobby horse)
  • STAGE PRESENTATIONS (INDIVIDUAL): Apple Laraway, Brandon ("Perfectly Loved," song); James Shorey, Fair Haven ("This is Home," song); Aliza Smith, Tinmouth (two entries: "I Know This Now" and "Never Enough," songs); Lucia Stubbins, Rutland Town ("I'll Fly," puppetry); Adeline White, Pittsford ("Pulled," song)
  • STAGE PRESENTATIONS (GROUP): Lucia Stubbins, Rutland Town, and Adeline White Pittsford ("Sink Away," puppetry and song); Anna Weideman, Rutland, and Adeline White, Pittsford ("Shallow," song duet); Rutland Performance and Arts Club (Participating members: Kayleigh Briggs, Pittsford; Lucia Stubbins, Rutland Town; Anna Weideman, Rutland; Adeline White, Pittsford; "Soldier, Poet, King," song); Rutland Performance and Arts Club (Participating members: Kayleigh Briggs, Pittsford; James Shorey, Fair Haven; Aliza Smith, Tinmouth; Lucia Stubbins, Rutland Town; Anna Weideman, Rutland; Adeline White, Pittsford; "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile," song)
  • TABLETOP DISPLAY: Landon Bullock, Rutland Town ("Horse Grooming"); Olivia Bullock, Rutland Town ("Horse Leg Protection"); Olyvia Rooney, Rutland Town ("Clydesdales"); Lucia Stubbins, Rutland Town (two entries: "Horse Breeds Around the World" and "What to Do in Case of a Barn Fire")

WINDHAM COUNTY

  • DEMONSTRATION INDIVIDUAL: Madeline DiStasio, Londonderry ("Diagnosing and Treating a Hoof Abscess")
  • PHOTOGRAPHY: Megan Carson, South Londonderry ("A Snowy Sunrise"); Whitney Dunklee, Vernon (two entries: "Little Lucy" and "Natural Pines")
  • PHOTOGRAPHY (photo-based design): Whitney Dunklee, Vernon (two entries: "Stained Bovine" and "White Fir Tree")
  • POSTER: Jasmine Akely, Vernon ("Humanizing and Understanding Your Horse"); Anna Carson, South Londonderry ("Equine First Aid"); Megan Carson, South Londonderry ("How to Create a Running Braid"); Aleigha Riendeau, Vernon ("Saddles: How to Fit a Saddle")
  • TABLETOP DISPLAY: Elizabeth Brown, Vernon ("How to Care for Your Pregnant Mare"); Viola Brown, Vernon ("A Bowed Tendon"); Sara DiStasio, Londonderry ("Poisonous Plants in Vermont"); Whitney Dunklee, Vernon ("From Farm to Table"); Britney Zager, Gill, Massachusetts ("Kissing Spine")
  • 4-H PROMOTIONAL VIDEO: Whitney Dunklee, Vernon ("802 4-H")

WINDSOR COUNTY

  • PHOTOGRAPHY: Jenna Dolloph, Chester ("Creative Camel")

Several Rutland County 4-H'ers also displayed their achievements in other ways at the annual event. Although these are not eligible to be displayed at 4-H State Day, they did earn ribbons for their work.

Lucia Stubbins, Rutland Town, created two dioramas, "Trail Courses for Horses" and "Farm Model." Anna Carson, South Londonderry, entered a painting entitled "A Bunch of Flowers." 

Two 4-H'ers also shared their collections. Rutland Town 4-H'er Jack Miglorie's collection, "Jack's Life Savers," featured several smoke detectors. Micah White, Pittsford, showed his collection of Pokémon cards.

Kristen and Alexa McLaughlin, Rutland Town, assisted with the event, including evaluating presentations and exhibits. Bethany White, Pittsford, helped with the stage presentations. Vermont 4-H Assistant Director Allison Smith supported the event organizationally and also evaluated presentations and exhibits.

To learn about 4-H in Rutland and Bennington Counties, contact UVM Extension 4-H Educator Tracey Stubbins at (802) 656-7586 or tracey.stubbins@uvm.edu. For Windham and Windsor Counties, contact UVM Extension 4-H Educator Molly McFaun at (802) 656-4828 or molly.mcfaun@uvm.edu.