VanVooreen and Violet win advanced novice at 4-H dog show

Emma VanVooreen, 14, of rural Aledo, and her dog "Violet" won the advanced novice class. She has been shooing for four years. and won champion last year as well. She also showed rabbits, chickens and general exhibits at the fair. .She will be a freshman at Sherrard High School next year. "I just really love dogs," said VanVooreen. She has four at home.

Erin Hayes, 16, and her dog "Oren" an australian shepherd/border collie cross won the champion novice class. Hayes will be a junior at Sherrard High School this fall. She is a member of the Saddle Teen 4-H Club. She also showed horses and visual arts at the fair.

Josie Finch, 12, of Aledo and her dog "Marley" won the Champion Beginner II class. She is a member of the Kimel 4-H Club and the daughter of Nathan and Megan Finch. This is Finch's third year training with Marley. She will be attending Mercer County Junior High School next year.

Isabelle Fox won for senior showmanship with her blue tick coon hound "Bambi:" Isabelle has been showing for the past seven years. "It was a lot of fun but she was a little bit nervous. Last year Isabelle won showmanship at the open show but lost to her sister Aislynn in showmanship in the 4-H show. Isabelle also had artwork that advanced to state, was the second runner up in the Mercer County Queen pageant and showed goats at the fair.

Aislynn Fox won the award for junior showmanship and champion graduate beginner with her dog Millie. She has been training Millie for the past four years. Millie is a Pembrooke Welsh Corgi. Aislynn was named the Junior Miss the night before the show. She also showed goats and dogs during the fair.

"I haven't changed anything I did with him, said Aislynn "She just decided to have a good day. I put cheese on my hands before the show and she followed me. The weather was better this year. Last year she got hot and tired. This year I made sure she had water and kept her in the shade.

Colton Helms, 13, of Andover and his dog "Buzz" won the champion beginner class. Helms is a member of the Saddle Teens. He has been working with his don since spring. He will be entering the eighth grade in the Orion School District this spring.