Meilynn Hess, 10-year member
Meilynn Hess, a 10-year 4-H member, did 62 projects this year, including her favorites: shooting sports, cat showing, archery, shooting, photography, goat showing, sewing and aerospace. She first got involved in 4-H when her mom was referred by a family friend.
“My sister and I just fell in love with it,” she said. “We loved doing the projects, and we formed some friendships, and I think, really, the projects that we loved doing, and the friends that we did it with, really kept us sticking to it.”
During the years she’s spent in 4-H, Hess is proud of her performance during Round Robin, where winning showmen from each livestock species compete and present animals from all species, including those they don’t normally show.
Hess said she won the traveling trophy for the competition for the third year during the 2026 Owen County Fair. Her favorite memory from being in 4-H involves how she prepares for Round Robin. Hess, her sister and a growing group of other members would teach each other how to do showmanship with their animals.
“It’s just brought a lot of camaraderie,” Hess said. “It was all of us sharing our knowledge. I think that was what 4-H was about, was being able to share with each other and teach each other.”
Hess also said being in 4-H taught her to try new things and work on new projects each year.
“I would say what I learned was just to do my best in everything,” Hess said. “I didn’t think there was a point for me to do a project unless I was gonna give it my all.”
Next, Hess plans to attend Cedarville University in Ohio to study communications and visual design, with plans for a career involving photography and travel.
Rain Newman, 10-year member
Rain Newman is a 10-year 4-H member, and spent this year working on showing poultry, rabbits, sheep, dog, cat, and little critters.
Newman first got involved in 4-H because her family has been involved for a few generations.
“I think it’s fun, and I think it’s really rewarding,” Newman said. “For one, you gotta spend a lot of time with the animals, which is really fun. And getting to watch animals grow, and knowing that you did that, is always really, really amazing.”
Newman also said she has enjoyed meeting people she wouldn’t have otherwise and learning things about animals.
Her biggest accomplishment is winning the top dog award at the fair this year for her dog, Fidough, a mini poodle. This was her first year showing a dog. Newman said she worked with Fidough every day in preparation.
Being in 4-H taught Newman discipline, she said, learning what it takes to take care of animals and make sacrifices to do so.
Her favorite memory took place when she showed a cane toad.
“The judge had told me, ‘You know what? I can tell that you know everything there is to know about this animal. I want you to stop talking to me and turn around and tell the audience about it,’” Newman said. “It made me feel really cool and it made me just feel really smart.”
For people just starting out in 4-H, Newman’s advice is to try everything.
“Try everything and learn everything you can, and make sure you talk to people that are above you, because you can learn so much and you can meet so many amazing people,” Newman said.
Zepha Caldwell, 10-year member
This year, at the Owen County Fair, Zepha Caldwell, a 10-year member, chose to show poultry and her horse. She also had some projects in the Exhibit Hall.
Unlike many 4-H members, Caldwell wasn’t brought in through family. She learned about the program through her school and was interested in learning more about her animals.
“It’s just so fun to be in during the summer,” Caldwell said.
Her proudest accomplishment is watching her projects make it to the state fair and seeing them place. One of her favorite memories was when she got her first “big trophy” for showing poultry. It encouraged her to keep showing them, she said.
“I learned that even when not placing well, it’s alright, you have fun along the way,” Caldwell said.
She plans to try and still be involved in the 4-H community and one day maybe become a club leader, urging young kids to participate and enjoy it. Even so, she’ll miss having her animals at the fair and teaching people about them.
“If it gets hard, don’t let that stop you, because in the end, it’s worth all the hard work,” Caldwell said.
Next, she plans to enter the workforce, looking for jobs in auto collision repair.
Caleb East, 10-year member
Caleb East’s greatest accomplishment in his 10 years in 4-H was the work he did to secure and execute the 4-H Youth Engaged Service grant for the Owen County Pathfinders Club he was president of.
“I had a lot of support from our club leaders, but it was really cool to be such a big part of that,” East said. “It was definitely a growing experience, getting to lead them.”
This year, East participated in creative writing and did rifle club for the first time. In the past, he’s completed projects in pottery, construction, crafts and more. His favorite memory from 4-H was participating in spirit night.
Being in 4-H taught East the importance of communication.
“Being able to communicate clearly and healthily with other people is very key,” East said.
He said he’ll miss his friends the most after 4-H ends this year and encouraged new members not to be afraid of making mistakes. He had great experiences and growth through trying new things.
Next, East plans to attend Taylor University to study musical theater.
Anthony Rush, 10-year member
For Anthony Rush, a 10-year 4-H member, participating in the organization led to his future career goals. After showing dairy cattle, beef cattle, swine, dairy cows, rabbits and goats, Rush decided to pursue a career in agriculture.
This fall, he plans to attend Purdue University to study agricultural engineering and return to the fair after joining the 4-H livestock judging team.
“This community has done so much to build me up,” Rush said. “I want to give back as I become my own person as an adult.”
Rush’s stepdad is a farmer and introduced him to farm animals, teaching him about crops and how to work in a garden. Rush said he came to really enjoy working with the animals, understanding their personalities and becoming part of the 4-H community.
Unlike typical 4-H accomplishments, like winning showmanship, Rush said he’s most proud of winning hog wrestling with his brothers last year.
“I had a blast and I’ll remember that forever,” Rush said.
Being in 4-H taught Rush how to put himself out there, get out of his comfort zone and work hard, he said.
“I used to be so introverted, and I’m still not the most extroverted person, but when you’re out in an arena with an animal that’s fighting against you, with hundreds of eyes on it. We just gotta learn to be confident and to own it,” Rush said. “Then you go out and you make friends who do the same thing and you start to enjoy yourself.”
Elise Delp, two-year member
In her second year of 4-H, Elise Delp entered three art projects. One, with a vintage feel, another with an eye and one about her relationship with her mom.
She first got involved in 4-H because she was interested in the community and opportunities it offered. She wanted to meet people with the same interests as her.
“I found that everyone in this community is really kind and helping and I met a lot of people with the same interests as me,” Delp said.
Through the community, Delp learned to have more confidence in her abilities.
“I grew a lot as a person while in 4-H,” Delp said. “I got better at art, I got better at socializing and I got more confident in submitting my pieces to 4-H.”
Now, Delp plans to go to Ivy Tech Community College, with plans to be in the medical field. She wants to continue to be in 4-H as an adult and improve at art, sewing and creative writing.
For someone just starting out, Delp said that being nervous is normal. It goes away, and you can always improve, she said.
Bryson Cooper, 10-year member
Bryson Cooper has been showing pigs since he was about 5 years old. This year, he decided to cut back the amount of projects he normally does and just focus on showing swine.
For Cooper, 4-H and taking care of animals is generational, and it was the reason he first got involved. Even though Cooper has traveled around the country to different shows, he measures accomplishments through the other exhibitors he’s impacted.
“Just by being there whenever there’s some problem, I’m willing to step in there and help them, and if they ask me any questions I’m willing to help them find the solution as efficiently and as fast as possible.”
Cooper’s favorite memories from 4-H are competing in the different showmanship and round robins.
“I like to see other people win too and I like to celebrate with them,” Cooper said. “Seeing my cousin get reserve grand this year, that brought joy to myself, so that’s kind of neat.”
4-H taught Cooper to be willing to ask questions. He said first-year members should try to be observant and open their ears and eyes.
In the fall, Cooper plans to attend Black Hawk College East in Kewanee, Illinois, to judge livestock and get an associates degree. Afterwards, he plans to transfer to a four-year school, continue to be on a livestock judging team, and study animal science or agribusiness.
The information for the following sections is attributed to the Owen County 4-H - Indiana Facebook senior spotlights posts.
Samuel Logsdon, 10-year member
Samuel Logsdon is a 10-year 4-H member, with experience completing projects in archery, rifle, shotgun and sheep.
Logsdon said the projects he’s completed in 4-H have taught him patience, determination, integrity and kindness.
“One of my proudest accomplishments has been raising and showing sheep and using the earnings from livestock auctions to save and invest in my college education,” Logsdon wrote in his senior spotlight post.
Logsdon also works as a Junior Leader and has served on the board of a local food pantry.
His advice for young 4-H members is to not be afraid to try new projects and step outside of their comfort zones.
“The more you put into 4-H, the more you will get out of it,” he wrote. “Stick with your projects, learn from both your successes and your mistakes, and take advantage of the leadership and service opportunities that 4-H offers.”
In the fall, Logsdon plans to study computer science, with a goal to work in the technology field.
Malachi James, 9-year member
Malachi James, a 9-year 4-H member, began his time in the organization in Noblesville, Indiana. Throughout the years, he’s participated in the clogging club, archery, dogs, fishing and goat showing projects.
“Some of my biggest achievements include learning how to catch fish, mastering archery and earning a championship in dog agility with my dog, Padame,” James wrote in his senior spotlight post.
His advice for younger 4-H members is to try new things.
“You never know what you might discover about yourself or what you may grow to love,” James wrote.
In the future, James plans to study education and become an elementary or middle school teacher. He wants to move to Korea to teach English, learn about the culture and study the Korean language.
Madi Amick, 10-year member
Madi Amick says she grew up in 4-H, following in the footsteps of her older sister. She’s been in the organization for more than 10 years including Mini 4-H and has participated in horse, goat, poultry and swine projects.
Amick is the 2026 Club President of the Owen Valley River Riders 4-H Club. She said one of her greatest accomplishments is competing at the state fair in the horse contesting competition.
Her advice for younger 4-H members is to enjoy every moment.
“Even when it doesn’t feel like it, your time will go by faster than you think,” she wrote in her senior spotlight post. “Don’t be afraid to ask older members questions—we were once in your shoes, too. 4-H is a place to grow, learn and dream big. Take every opportunity and make the most of it.”
Amick also was the 2023-2024 Miss Owen County Princess.
In the fall, Amick plans to attend Ivy Tech Community College in Terre Haute, Indiana, to earn an associate’s degree in agricultural science. After, she plans to transfer to a four-year college to study agribusiness, before attending law school with the intention to become an agricultural attorney.
Rylynn Meinert, 9-year member
Rylynn Meinert was in the Freedomaires Club for seven years and has been with the Owen County Pathfinders for the past two years as secretary.
She has completed projects in swine, foods and cupcake decorating, among others. Her favorite is swine, because she enjoys learning about animal care and showing the animal at the fair.
4-H taught her responsibility, leadership and confidence, and she thanks those who have supported her throughout her time in 4-H.
In the fall, Meinert plans to attend college.
Carter Salyers, 10-year member
Carter Salyers is a 10-year 4-H member, with experience in doing projects in shotgun and beef cattle.
He first entered the 4-H world in first grade, when he made posters about cattle because he was too young to show them.
Over the years, as he was able to show cattle, he learned how to pick a good steer or heifer, growing as a showman and working his way up to advanced showmanship.
“One of the things I enjoy most is raising and caring for my family’s cattle while also managing a show steer at the same time,” Salyers wrote in his senior spotlight post.
His advice to younger 4-H members is to not give up when something feels too hard or overwhelming.
“Pushing through challenges is what helps you grow as a person,” he wrote.
Salyers’ plans for after high school include starting out as a groundman and eventually working his way up to becoming a lineman.