SD youth teams earn placings in Denver meeting

BROOKINGS, S.D. – Twenty South Dakota 4-H youth joined the more than 1,000 youth from more than 32 states including Alberta, Canada who attended the Western National Roundup January 7-10, 2016 in Denver, Colo.

The Conference, now in its 96th year, is held annually in early January in conjunction with the National Western Stock Show. This year’s theme of “Mission ImPossible” was aimed at leaving participants with the confidence that they have the opportunity to create unique experiences and thrive in their self-defined future through 4-H and FFA.

Both 4-H and FFA members between the ages of 14 and 19 have the opportunity to qualify for Roundup by winning their home state’s contest or being chosen as a state delegate.

The competitions held at Western National Roundup include horse and livestock judging, livestock quiz bowl, hippology, horse demonstrations and public speaking, parliamentary procedure, family consumer sciences presentations, skill-a-thon, and bowl, consumer decision making, public speaking prepared and impromptu, parliamentary procedure, and meats identification.

Workshops are offered throughout the week which provides a learning experience for the youth exposing them to topics ranging from communication and team building to leadership development. Youth participants develop a mastery of their respective subject matters, but more importantly, gain life-long skills. Such skills as public speaking, professionalism, and good sportsmanship along with the memories and new friendships will outlast the trophies and ribbons that were won.

South Dakota teams & Placings

Consumer Decision Making Team placed fourth overall in reasons. Team members were all from Codington County a included: Kara Tesch, Grace Stein, Sara Thyen, and Molly Walker. The team was coached by Jodi Loehrer, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor, Codington County.

Hippology Team placed fifth overall. Team members include: Marissa Woodring, Spink County; Trey Wright, Brown County; Megan Malsam, Brown County; Joellen Gonsoir, Brown County, placed as the third Individual Overall. The team was coached by Kristen Gonsoir.

Horse Judging Team placed fourth overall. Team members included: Wyatt Stevens, Jerauld County, placed as the seventh Individual Overall; Sierra Goergen, Beadle County; Sarah Vos, Pennington County; Kaitlyn Ringgenberg, Brown County. The team was coached by Molly Ringgenberg and Bailey Ringgenberg.

Livestock Judging team placed fourth overall. Team members ncluded: Kyler Johnson, Minnehaha County, placed tenth individual Overall; Cooper Gordon, Spink County; Alexa Montagne, Union County; and Shaye Jungwirth, Potter County. The team was coached by Falyn Hogg, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor for Hand, Hyde, Faulk and Potter Counties and John Keimig, SDSU Extension 4-H Associate.

Horse Quiz Bowl, team members were all from Roberts County and included: Morgan Janisch, Valerie Moen, Kendra Currence and Derek Peterson. The Horse Quiz Bowl team was coached by Julie Nelson.

To view more results and to learn more about how you or your youth can become involved in S.D. 4-H visit iGrow.org.

–SDSU Extension