Fair winners in sheep-judging chosen
Maria Sholtis of Uniontown took home the title of grand champion ram and reserve grand champion ewe Monday at the Fayette County Fair, while Ryan Witt of Champion claimed honors for grand champion ewe and Angela Stump of Fairchance won reserve grand champion ram. The three youths took top prizes in the 4-H Breeding Sheep Show, held in the Show Arena. Officials reported there were 26 entries in the competition judged by John Eaton, a livestock producer from York, Pa.
Sholtis, the 15-year-old daughter of Andrew and Donna Sholtis, won with a Hampshire ram and a Suffolk ewe.
She has won titles here before, but said, “I don’t think I ever go in expecting it. I look forward to it, but I think everyone has a fair chance.’
Sholtis is a 10th grade student at Uniontown Area High School and has been in 4-H for seven years. Her projects include breeding sheep, market lamb, market pig and dairy goats.
Asked what she likes about sheep, Sholtis said, “Just about everything. They’re very friendly animals.’
Ryan Witt, 11, is the son of Don and Eileen Witt. He is a sixth-grade student at C.N. Pritts Elementary in the Connellsville Area School District.
Witt won his breeding sheep title with a Suffolk. This is Witt’s third year in 4-H. He also has a market lamb project.
There are many reasons Witt likes 4-H, “The fun of the being in the fair and showing, working on your projects all summer.’
Winning a title is the icing on the cake.
“We thought she was pretty good, but we didn’t know if she would win,’ said Witt’s father.
Asked to comment on the win, Witt said he was “excited’ and “shocked.’
Stump, 17, is the daughter of Mike and Darla Stump. She is a senior at Albert Gallatin High School and studies agriculture at the Fayette County Area Vocational-Technical School.
Her other 4-H projects include market lamb and a rabbit. She is also a member of the Teen County Council and the judging club.
Stump won her title with a Dorper, a new breed, which she reported has only been in the state a few years.
She didn’t think this animal would win when she came into the competition: “No, he’s so stubborn. I didn’t know if he would stay still in the arena. When the judge said (he won the title), I was about to fall over in shock.’
Stump talked about the quality of Monday’s competition.
“There were a lot of really good animals there,’ she said.
Commenting on the show, Eaton said, “I thought the quality was strong from top to bottom.’
He said one significant point was the structural correctness: “The straight top; they were sound in feet and legs, which is critical because they need to go out and eat grass. These are all breeding animals. You need to look at longevity.’