Several Washington County 4-H’ers earned high honors at the annual Southeast Iowa Showdown in Donnellson recently. The livestock show invites county fair Grand Champions from Washington, Louisa, Lee, Henry, Des Moines, Jefferson, Johnson and Muscatine County Fairs to compete against each other at a more regional competition. Amy Green, Washington County 4-H/Youth Coordinator says, this is a unique show as it is by invite only for the best of each county to compete against their neighboring counties.

Spenser Becker, Haley Sweeting, Madison Sheetz, Megan Olson, Riley Sieren, ShaeLynn Becker and Courtney Shalla represented Washington County at the show. Below is a list of awards received and which categories the students competed in:

– Megan Olson, daughter of Matthew and Lori Olson of Keota, received a $500 scholarship this year after completing an interview that day.
– Haley Sweeting, four year member of the Riverside Ramblers, showed her breeding doe in the goat species and was awarded the Grand Champion Breeding Doe. She is the daughter of Art and Shari Sweeting of Riverside.
– Spenser Becker, senior member of the 76 Progressives 4-H Club, daughter of Brian and Becky Becker of Keota, received the Champion Market Hog honor.
– Courtney Shalla, 4-H member of the Riverside Ramblers, daughter of Doug and Connie showed her crossbred steer and earned Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef at the Southeast Iowa Showdown.
– Madison Sheetz, a member of Keota FFA, daughter of Jerry and Rita Sheetz, of Keota earned the Grand Champion Market Lamb.
– Riley Sieren also represented Washington County in the breeding beef division.
– ShaeLynn Becker showed her meat goat whether.