4-H State Day, the capstone event for 4-H, took place on May 17 at the Barre Auditorium in Barre. Talented 4-H club members from throughout the state participated in the 2025 event, demonstrating what they have learned in 4-H through stage performances, action exhibits, fashion revue, illustrated talks and other activities.

All entries were evaluated with several chosen to advance to Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, Massachusetts, in September. Selected photos and posters were all People’s Choice awards, earning the most votes by visitors to State Day.

Entries that will represent Vermont at Eastern States are:

ACTION EXHIBIT: Blazing Bridles 4-H Club, Danville (“Lucky Jewelry Hanger.” Participants: Devin Davidson and Eva Lamothe, both from Barnet; Kaylee Demars and Thea Ross, both from St. Johnsbury; Jaida Jenkin, Wheelock); Blazing Bridles 4-H Club, Danville (“Memory Shoes.” Participants: Adriana Holbrook, Hardwick; LeighAnn Judd, Wolcott; Catherine Mangan, Cabot; and Natalie Taylor, Danville; Jenesy Zwart, Barnet); Kingdom Hoofbeats, Derby Line (“Galloping Through Careers.” Participants: Penelope Longe, Newport; Carlie Rondeau, Coventry; and Abby Shelp, Derby); Kingdom Hoofbeats, Derby Line (“Never Refuse to Reuse.” Participants: Quinn Charest, Derby Line, and Alina Phillips, Newport); Kingdom Hoofbeats, Derby Line (“Ouch Pouch.” Participants: Taylor Peck, Sheffield, and Piper Parsons, Derby); Tuff Riders 4-H Club, Rutland Town (“Horse Jumping.” Participants: Anna Campopiano, Thea Chase and Cecelia Pearson, all from Mount Holly)

DEMONSTRATION (INDIVIDUAL): Nora Dechen, Rutland (How to Make Recycled Paper); Breeana Garcia, Woodsville, New Hampshire (“How to Do CPR on Your Dog”)

DEMONSTRATION (TEAM): Ian Kascha-Hare, Milton, and Lane Fortune, Georgia (“Life Cycle of a Chicken--Egg to Hen”)

FASHION REVUE: Billie Bowdish (summer dress with butterflies and hummingbirds) and Charleigh Wilson (dinosaur print fleece pants), both from Middlebury; Tea Ferris, Jeffersonville (crocheted tunic); Elsie Kidder (blue overalls and a white shirt) and Ophelia Ross (palazzo pants with contrasting pockets), both from Newbury; Sati Lazuli, Corinth (green overalls); Fallyn Norton (rainbow scarf) and Sophia Welch (yellow floral sleeveless top), both from Bridport; Isabelle Spooner, Piermont, New Hampshire (pig print overalls with pig buttons).

ILLUSTRATED TALK: Caleb Morrison, Danville (“Cats vs. Dogs”); Luke Morrison, Danville (“The Founding of Luke’s Military Museum”); Sophia Welch, Bridport (“Horse Conformation and Common Leg Injuries”)

PHOTOGRAPHY: Nora Dechen, Rutland (“Endangered Beauty”); Lane Fortune, Georgia (“Curious Chick”); LeighAnn Judd, Wolcott (“Close Up”); Kassie Koehler, Derby (“Winter Wonderland Brown Bear”); Liam Palmer, Williston (“World of Possibilities”); Thea Ross, St. Johnsbury (“It’s Something”); Jenesy Zwart, Barnet (“Through the Clouds”) 

POSTERS: Eva Bury, Derby (“Seasons of Sap”); Charlotte Clark-Lietaur, Williston (“Chickens”); Nora Dechen, Rutland (“Gypsy Vanner Horses”); Lane Fortune, Georgia (“Chatty Chickens”); Aubrie Houle, Vernon (“Tricky Trailering”); Julie Merlo, Swanton (“Training a Sled Dog”)

PROMOTIONAL 4-H VIDEO: Kaila and Lily Call, Waterford (“Are You Bored, You Need 4-H!”)

SMART SHOPPER: Anna Campopiano (school concert outfit), Thea Chase (black and white dress) and Cecelia Pearson (ready for Spring outfit), all from Mount Holly; Breeana Garcia, Woodsville, New Hampshire (special occasion outfit); Sati Lazuli, Corinth (Bridgerton-themed silk party dress). For this category, the 4-H’ers used their budgeting skills and understanding of fashion to assemble an outfit for $25 or less.

STAGE PRESENTATION (GROUP): Remi Barry, Rutland, and Adeline White, Pittsford (vocal duet); Addalynn and Madison Fuller, Lunenburg (dance); Aliza Smith, Tinmouth; Lucia Stubbins, Rutland Town; and Adeline White, Pittsford (puppetry trio)

STAGE PRESENTATION (INDIVIDUAL): Remi Barry, Rutland (vocal solo); John Crowningshield, Fair Haven (guitar and vocal solo); Madison Fuller, Lunenburg (vocal solo); James Shorey, Fair Haven (two vocal solos and a monologue); Aliza Smith, Tinmouth (vocal solo); Lucia Stubbins, Rutland Town (puppetry); Adeline White, Pittsford (vocal solo)

TABLETOP DISPLAY: Andrew Guyette, South Burlington (“Raising Baby Chicks”); Rose Guyette, South Burlington (“Granny Squares”); Chace Petrin, Addison (“Lake Champlain”)      

4-H State Day was sponsored by University of Vermont Extension 4-H. To learn more about the 4-H program, call the State 4-H Office at (802) 656-7630 or (800) 571-0668 (toll-free in Vermont).