Olivia Goodman was the overall junior winner

Rising new stars and amazing talent were on stage and in the spotlight at the Buchanan Theater on February 2nd, 2013. Families, friends, and supporters of Botetourt County 4-H watched as 28 talented 4-Hers, ages 9-19, competed in 26 acts at the 2013 Botetourt County 4-H Share the Fun Talent Contest. This year’s acts included vocal competitions, instrumental acts, tumbling demonstrations, dancing and a stand-up comedy routine. It was very much a family affair as parents provided musical accompaniment and brothers/sisters competed in joint acts as well as friendly competition.

Contestants were judged in three age divisions (junior, intermediate and senior), talent category and ranked against other like participants by a panel of nine judges (three for each age division). Competitors were evaluated on showmanship, audience reaction, costume, and talent ability. Each participant received a blue, red, or white ribbon based on his or her performance and the act judged to be the best in each age division and area of talent was awarded the purple championship ribbon. This year an added award was given for the judges’ choice of the Best Overall Act in each AGE division. Olivia Goodman was chosen as the overall winner in the junior division (ages 9 – 11) for her vocal performance of “Popular” from the Broadway musical WICKED, while Brianna Dunbar claimed Best Overall Act honors in the intermediate division (ages 12 – 13) singing “Journey to the Past”. Both young ladies won a full scholarship to 2013 Botetourt County 4-H Camp, July 1st – 5th at W.E.Skelton 4-H Center on Smith Mountain Lake. Max Cassell a long time participant in the 4-H Share the Fun Contest took home the overall winner for the senior division (ages 14 – 19) with a stage worthy rendition of “On Broadway”. As the champion from the senior division, Max received a full scholarship and the opportunity to compete again at the state competition at Virginia 4-H Congress held at Virginia Tech June 17th – 20th, 2013.

Contestants, their talent category and award are listed below:

Juniors

Norwinski,Engleman Red, Allyson, Sabrina Red, Bowers, Elaina,  Red, Reese Halle, Blue, Albers, Keffer, Taylor & Dani Red, Goodman, Olivia Blue,  Judge, Kaile White, Layman, Trystan  Red, McMillion, Garrett JR Red, Smith, Chandler White

Intermediate:

Bowers, Levi,Red,  Archer, Brittney Red, Bryant, Kaitlin Blue,  Dunbar, Brianna, Blue , Martin, Trinity Blue, McMillion Hannah Red,Melvin,Evelyn  Blue. Rhodes, Rodney, Blue

Senior:

Peterson Mikayla Blue X, Tiller, Amber S. Blue, Bowers Elizabeth & Emmagail Blue,  Boothe, Nicole  Blue, Bowers, Emmagail, Elizabeth, & Robert, Blue, Cassell Max S Blue, Moore Alex Blue, Simmons, Red

*Olivia Goodman – Overall winner in Junior Division

**Brianna Dunbar – Overall winner in Intermediate Division

***Max Cassell – Overall winner in Senior Division

The Botetourt County Extension Office commends the participants for their hard work and enthusiasm in entertaining the crowd. Each contestant did an excellent job and made the afternoon a special event for all those who participated and attended. A special thank-you to the volunteers and 4-H staff who made this 4-H event a huge success: Sharon Coleman, Faye Hambrick, Poe Cobb, Haley Meadows, Kate Lawrence, Jordan Lawrence, Carolyn LaVoie, Heather Ward, Storm Durham, and Charlie Gozzo. Many thanks to the people who served as judges for the 4-H Talent Show: Kallie Cox, Jamie Lawson, Mallory Newcomb, Tyler Painter, Marina Gopadze, Kim Bennett, Grace Parker, Kenny Seay and Stephen Harris; a special THANK YOU to Channel 7 meteorologist and former Botetourt 4-Her, Brent Watts, who served as our Master of Ceremonies.

The Botetourt County 4-H Program is open to all youth ages 5-19. For more information contact Katherine E. Carter, Associate Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development at the Virginia Cooperative Extension – Botetourt Office at (540) 473-8260 or visit our office at

9 West Main Street in Fincastle.

–submitted by Katherine Entsminger Carter