Realtors® Recognize Local 4-H Participants in Virtual Setting

The Realtors® Association of Westmoreland, Indiana and Mon Valley found a unique way to showcase 4-H participants’ projects this year.

Lauren Slagus

The cancellation of the 2020 Westmoreland and Indiana county fairs left 4-H students with no place to show their projects. Typically, 4-H participants use the annual county fairs to highlight the culmination of their work. RAWIM offered a virtual opportunity for 4-H students to feature their projects via video and a team of judges reviewed their entries.

“The students of 4-H work hard to raise their animals and perfect their projects for the annual county fair. Due to the pandemic, they weren’t able to feature their hardwork and dedication,” said RAWIM Project Chair Carolyn Domasky. “Our group wanted to find a way to recognize and support these students who have such a positive impact in our communities.”

Elizabeth Bruner

Entrants receiving $300 awards were Amber Long of Blairsville (pictured in header) for a livestock program entry and Elizabeth Bruner of Blairsville for a wildlife and forestry program entry. Whitney Strong of Heilwood received a $150 award for a livestock program entry and Lauren Slagus of Rosstraver Township received a $150 award for an equestrian program entry. In addition, Abigail Bruner of Blairsville received a $50 for a livestock program goat entry and

of Latrobe received a $50 award for a livestock program cow entry. The contest was open to all 4-H students, ages 15-18, who would have ordinarily entered their projects into the fair for any category such as livestock, woodworking, engineering, etc.

Abigail Bruner

The local Realtor® association partnered with the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors® to provide virtual contest. The funding for the awards was made possible by a PAR Century of Service grant and matching funds from RAWIM. PAR’s Century of Service grants allow local Realtor® organizations to help make a difference in their communities during the state association’s 100th anniversary.

“COVID has had devastating effects on local events like the fairs,” she said. “Although it is not the same as attending the fair in person and viewing the 4-H submissions, we believe this contest gave students a creative alternative to showcase their work.”

Whitney Strong

The judging panel consisted of local Realtors® David Dean, Carolyn Domasky, Anna Peagler, Bob Topper and Abe Wagner, PAR President Bill Festa and local industry partner members with an interest in the 4-H community.

Dante Frescura

Festa said, “While I’ve never participated in a county fair before, I was very impressed with the video entries we reviewed. The time and dedication these students have invested in their work was remarkable.”