Alamance County 4-H has a very active Youth Livestock Team that practices almost year-round.  On July 31st-August 2nd, 2024, seven youth attended the State 4-H Livestock Judging, Skillathon and Quiz Bowl Contest in Raleigh, NC.  Alamance County 4-H entered three junior (ages 8-10) individuals, three intermediate (ages 11-13) individuals and one senior (ages 14-18) individual in the contest.  There were 128 judging contestants, 52 skillathon contestants, and 17 teams in quiz bowl (intermediate and senior).  This is the eleventh year that Alamance County 4-H has entered youth into the state contest.  Top teams and individuals were announced on August 2nd, 2024, during a formal awards luncheon at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh, NC.

Junior individuals were Corey Schmid, Axton Harrell, and Caleb Schmid.  Intermediate individuals were , Elaina LaRusso, Madelyn LaRusso and Hutch Robertson. The Senior individual was Sage Robertson.  Youth were coached by Lauren Langley, Alamance County Livestock Extension Agent.  Juniors competed in livestock judging and skillathon.  Intermediates and Seniors competed in all three contests: livestock judging, skillathon and quiz bowl.

All of our youth did exceptionally well for their respective knowledge and experience (this was only a first contest for one and a second contest for four of the youth entered).  Listed below are the highlights from this year's contest.

SKILLATHON 

Caleb Schmid placed 1st overall in the Junior division in Skillathon with 1st in Quality Assurance, and 1st in ID/Written Exam.  Axton Harrell placed 4th In ID/Written Exam and 5th in Quality Assurance for Skillathon. Corey Schmid placed 4th in Quality Assurance for Skillathon. Elaina LaRusso placed 9th in Evaluation in the Intermediate division for Skillathon. Madelyn LaRusso placed 6th in ID/Written Exam, 10th in Quality Assurance and 6th overall Intermediate in Skillathon. Sage Robertson placed 6th in Evaluation in the Senior division, 6th in Quality Assurance, and 9th overall Senior in Skillathon.

Madelyn LaRusso placed 3rd overall for the entire contest in the Intermediate division!  This is an average taken across quiz bowl, skillathon and judging scores.

JUDGING

Caleb Schmid placed 12th in reasons, 12th in sheep, and 13th in swine for the Junior division.  Madelyn LaRusso was 7th in overall cattle for the Intermediate division and 17th overall high individual.  Sage Robertson was 18th in overall cattle for the Senior division.

QUIZBOWL

The Intermediate team placed 2nd in Quizbowl out of a total of 13 teams. Team members were Madelyn LaRusso, Hutch Robertson, Elaina LaRusso, and a 4th team member from Pitt County.

The full contest results can be found online

To learn more about the Youth Livestock Program and/or 4-H in Alamance County please contact Sarah Maddry, 4-H Extension Agent or Lauren Langley, Livestock Extension Agent.  You can also learn more by visiting our website or Facebook page