Leah Weiser’s fair experience stretches far beyond the show ring.
The Mount Vernon teen earned recognition as a miscellaneous project winner at the Knox County Junior Fair with three very different projects: Your Thoughts Matter Senior, Leadership 1, and You Can Quilt Senior. Along with those achievements, she’s also organizing a new beef grooming clinic to help younger exhibitors.
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart recently sat down with Leah to discuss her award-winning projects, her passion for helping others, and what keeps her so busy during fair week.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation!
Leah, a member of the Clinton Clovers 4-H Club, has been involved in 4-H for seven years and will be a sophomore at Mount Vernon High School this fall.
One of her projects focused on mental health awareness. Through Your Thoughts Matter Senior, Leah researched topics surrounding mental health, watched and analyzed how those issues were portrayed in the movie Juno, interviewed a counselor, created educational posters, and learned how to recognize warning signs that someone may be struggling. While she doesn’t plan to pursue a career in mental health, she said the project gave her a much better understanding of the challenges many people face.
Her second project explored leadership. As president of her 4-H club, Leah studied different leadership styles and learned the importance of listening to others before making decisions. She said one of the biggest lessons was realizing that good leaders don’t simply make popular decisions—they make the best decisions for the group.
Leah’s third project combined creativity with family tradition. Earlier this year, she learned to quilt alongside her grandmother, working through instructional books while developing new skills. She completed two quilts, including one that will advance to the Ohio State Fair. Although she won’t be able to attend state judging because of her responsibilities at the Knox County Fair, she’s proud of the work she accomplished in just a few months.
Outside of her miscellaneous projects, Leah has a full schedule during fair week. She’s exhibiting three cows, a cow-calf pair, a breeding heifer, and a market goat named Chuck. She’s also serving on the Junior Fair Board while organizing a new beef grooming clinic designed to help younger exhibitors learn the basics of preparing cattle for the show ring. The clinic takes place Monday at 5 p.m. in the Multipurpose Building.
When she does get a chance to relax, Leah admits one of her favorite fair traditions is visiting the Steak Shack for an Italian sausage or steak sandwich. She especially appreciates that the Knox County Cattlemen’s Association showcases locally raised beef through the popular fair attraction.
Looking back on her years in 4-H, Leah says the experience has taught her patience, respect, and the value of stepping outside her comfort zone. She encourages younger members not to be afraid to try something new because, even when things don’t go as planned, there are always people willing to help.
Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!
(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)
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