Area youth claim top honors at State Fair

Central Wisconsin youth claimed top honors across multiple divisions at this year’s Wisconsin State Fair, earning grand champion titles in livestock competition while earning recognition in cultural arts divisions.
Local exhibitors competed in cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, rabbit and cultural arts divisions, with participants representing 4-H clubs throughout Wood, Marathon and Clark counties. Johnny Binder’s grand champion artwork was a 22-by-16-inch graphite self-portrait.
Here are some of the highlights; full results can be found on the Wisconsin State Fair website.
CULTURAL ARTS CHAMPIONS
• Johnny Binder, Arpin: Grand Champion, Cultural Arts Drawing Division for graphite self-portrait; previous judge’s choice winner at 2024 Central Wisconsin State Fair

• Lydia Schunke, Arpin: Reserve Champion, Cultural Arts Painting Division for “Pankake the Dragon” oil painting; also placed 7th for ceramic cup set
• Sterling Willcome, Marshfield: 10th place for digital drawing using Procreate program
• Aubrey Lambrecht, Marshfield: 6th place for clay “Stitch” jewelry organizer
GRAND CHAMPIONS
• Elayna Aue, Auburndale: Supreme Champion Showperson, Grand Champion Female Hereford, Champion Junior Heifer Calf, Champion Cow/Calf pair
• Brenna Thorson, Rudolph: Grand Champion Performance Steer, Champion Visual Appraisal
• Jenna Lindow, Chili: Grand Champion Breed Ewe (Cheviot)
• Joshua Lindow, Chili: Grand Champion Breed Ewe (Natural Color Wool)
• Jordan Meyer, Watertown: Grand Champion Breed Ewe (Oxford)
• Arabella Knuth, Fall Creek: Grand Champion Breed Ewe (Tunis)
• Samantha Kuzjak, Chili: Grand Champion Breed (Hampshire Fitted)
RESERVE CHAMPIONS
• Michelle Potts, Marshfield: Reserve Champion Junior Heifer Calf, Reserve Champion Bred and Owned Junior Heifer Calf
• Jessica Lindow, Chili: Reserve Grand Champion Breed Ewe (Cheviot)
• Ava Hasenohrl, Auburndale: Reserve Grand Champion Breed Gilt (Hereford)
COMMUNICATION CONTESTS
• Jessica Lindow, Chili: First place (tied) in swine, first place in rabbits, third place in goats
• Brenna Thorson, Rudolph: First place in beef quiz contest
• Khammi Alsum, Grand Marsh: First place in poultry quiz contest
SHOWMANSHIP STANDOUTS
• Breanna Aue, Auburndale: Fourth Overall Supreme Champion Showperson
• Jessica Lindow, Chili: First place rabbit showmanship (18 years old)
• Breanna Aue, Auburndale: First place sheep showmanship (14 years old)
PERFORMANCE AWARDS
• Lucas Bernick, Spencer: 28th Overall Grand Champion Performance Steer
• Madeline Bernick, Spencer: 33rd Overall Grand Champion Performance Steer, Champion Breed Market Steer
• Ava Hasenohrl, Auburndale: 65th place Overall Grand Champion Performance Lamb