DFSME State Fair Contest Winners and Their Entries!
First Place: Chance Wright—4th Grade, Greenwood Mennonite School, won $250 for his entry:
Hi, my name is Chance Wright. I’m 9 years old and a member of the Peach Blossom 4-H Club. I had many first time contest experiences at this year’s fair, including 4-H public speaking, woodworking judging and livestock judging. This was my fourth year showing market lambs from our small flock of Hampshires. I’m fortunate that both of my lambs placed in the top of their weight class, which means they made it to the Junior Livestock Auction. Both of these lambs were born on our farm. Through raising a market lamb from birth and training for the livestock judging contest, I am better at understanding the process of raising animals for market. I am learning what a quality livestock animal should look like by judging muscle and fat on body parts like the leg, rack, and loin. My favorite part of raising sheep is spending time with my family while halter-breaking and exercising the market lambs. I can’t wait for the next Delaware State Fair. Come see me and my lambs in the sheep barn!
Second Place: Adolfo Dejesus Sierra-Capistran—11th Grade, Christiana High School, won $100 with his essay:
The Delaware State Fair is a unique experience, where families gather to enjoy food, entertainment, and each other’s company. But did you know that behind all this fun is a strong environmentally friendly effort, made possible by advances in the STEM industry? Let’s take a closer look at the fairgrounds’ commitment to sustainability and how the contributions of science and technology have enabled this mission.
To begin with, many of the food vendors at the fair are family-owned, which translates to a plethora of benefits for the environment, including locally sourced ingredients that reduce carbon footprints. The introduction of advanced irrigation technology and cashless payment systems are just a couple of examples of how the STEM industry has enabled businesses to be more environmentally friendly.
Additionally, the fairgrounds has implemented a solar-powered phone charging station and water bottle refill stations as just two of the many notable environmentally friendly efforts. Water fountains have also been refined with more efficient parts and materials, making them a greener choice for visitors who frequent the fairgrounds.
The Delaware State Fair has made great strides in becoming a sustainable and eco-friendly environment, and local vendors are an integral part of that effort. The innovations of science and technology have played a critical role in making it all a reality. From roasted corn to the ice rink, STEM has impacted our environment for the better in significant and small ways. It is a clear demonstration of how science and technology can make a positive impact in our communities.
Third Place: Callan McCowan—5th Grade, Lord Baltimore Elementary School, won $50 for his entry:
This is a picture of me with a reusable bag next to the horseshoe crab exhibit at the fair. A reusable bag is an engineered solution to the problem of plastic grocery bags that are usually only used once. When I use this bag that I got at the fair it will help keep the oceans clean, which will help these very old creatures be able to keep living for many more years. Horseshoe crabs are very old living fossils, the technology of a better bag will help keep their environment from being more polluted.