Category: Inspirational

2026 Knox County Junior Fair Sale of Champions Broadcast on WNZR – the tradition continues

WNZR was proud to broadcast live at the Knox County Fair Sale of Champions
Did you miss WNZR’s broadcast of the 2026 Sale of Champions? Good News!
You can find the full broadcast HERE or click on the link below.
Listen in as WNZR’s Joe Rinehart talks with the Grand Champions and Reserve Champion winners from this year’s Knox County Fair. You can also hear Marcy Rinehart give results from each animal sold. Thanks to all the buyers that participated.
You can find an album of pictures on our Facebook page and on the Scrapbook Page of our website wnzr.fm

The unofficial total from the Sale of Champions was over $89,500!

Market Beef

  • The Grand Champion Market Beef Steer was shown by Kellen Algire of Fredericktown.  Kellen is part of the Country Critters 4H Club.
    • Alumni Roofing bought the animal for a price of $6,000.
  • The Reserve Champion Market Beef Steer was shown by Kayleen Small of Fredericktown. She is part of the Boots and Banners 4H Club.  Kayleen also won 3rd place Overall Carcass.
    • Small’s Asphalt Company bought the animal for a price of $9,000.

Dairy Market Feeders

  • The Grand Champion Dairy Market Feeder was shown by Ethan Swendal of Danville. Ethan is part of the Creative Kids 4H Club. Ethan is also the Age 18 Skillathon Winner for Dairy Market Feeders.
    • Alumni Roofing bought the animal for a price of $3,000
  • The Reserve Champion Dairy Market Feeder was shown by Gage Robinson of Fredericktown.  Gage is part of the Knox Cattle Kids 4H Club.  Gage is also the Age 14 Skillathon Winner for Dairy Market Feeders.
    • Knox Community Hospital bought the animal for a price of $3,750.

Pen of 3 Market Lambs

  • The Grand Champion Pen of 3 Market Lambs was shown by Berta Gomez-Sica of Danville.  Berta is part of the Better Livestock 4H Club.
    • JDC Livestock LLC bought the animals for a price of $3,000.
  • The Reserve Champion Pen was shown by Joseph Ball from Danville with Better Livestock 4H Club.
    • Kari Ball Agency purchased the animals for a price of $5,000

Market Lambs

  • The Grand Champion Market Lamb was shown by Mason Reynolds of Mount Vernon with the Animals R Us 4H Club. Mason was also the Champion Senior Showman and the Age 16 Skillathon Winner for Market Lambs.
    • A group of buyers bought the animal for a price of $5,000
      • They included: All Weather Systems Inc., Granville Milling Company, United Producers Inc. and Xtreme Asphalt and Sealcoating
  • The Reserve Champion Market Lamb was shown by Kinsley Prosser of Fredericktown with the Blue Ribbon Livestock 4H Club. Kinsley is also the Reserve Champion 1st Year Showman. 
    • TK’s Ice Cream bought the animal for a price of $4,500

Turkeys

  • The Grand Champion Turkey was shown by Brynley Kirkpatrick from Butler with the Clear Fork FFA.
    • Adena Corporation bought the animal for a price of $2,750
  • The Reserve Champion Turkey was shown by Carl Dickerson from Fredericktown with the Smokin’ Spurs 4H Club.
    • Raine Aesthetics bought the animal for a price of $3,750

Market Dairy Steers

  • The Grand Champion Market Dairy Steer was shown by Ethan Swendal of Danville with Creative Kids 4H Club. Ethan is also the Age 18 Skillathon Winner for Market Dairy Steers.
    • Didinger Crop Services bought the animal for a price of $3,500
  • The Reserve Champion Market Dairy Steer was shown Ethan Swendal of Danville with the Creative Kids 4H Club. Ethan was also 4th Place Overall Carcass.
    • A group of buyers bought the animal for a price of $5,500
      • They included: Killbuck Savings Bank of Danville and Howard, The Magers Family and Swendal and Son Trucking.

Market Goats

  • The Grand Champion Market Goat was shown by Nash Stull of Fredericktown. Nash is part of the Country Critters 4H Club.  He is also the Reserve Champion Intermediate Showman. 
    • Knox Community Hospital bought the animal for a price of $3,500
  • The Reserve Champion Market Goat was shown by Taylor Meade of Warsaw. Taylor is part of the Danville FFA.
    • Nick Blanchard bought the animal for a price of $3,500

Broilers (Chicken)

  • The Grand Champion Broilers (pen of 3) were shown by Daisy Cline of Howard with the Contender’s 4H Club. Daisy was also the Reserve 1st Year Showman.
    • Park National Bank bought the animals for a price of $4,500
  • The Reserve Champion Broilers were shown by Abigail Untied of Walhonding with the Clinton Clovers 4H Club.
    • Trillium Farms bought the animals for a price of $3,500

Market Hogs

  • The Grand Champion Hog was shown by Carder McConachie of Mount Vernon with the Blue Ribbon Livestock 4H Club. Carder was also the Light Weight Division Champion.
    • TD Landscape purchased the hog for a price of $4,250
  • The Reserve Champion Hog was shown by Addison McGuire of Centerburg with the Animals R Us 4H Club. Addison was also the Heavy Weight Division Champion, Showmanship Winner for Age 14, and Master Showman.
    • A group of buyers bought the animal for a price of $9,000
      • They included: Fredericktown Chevrolet, Fox Swim Solutions, Barb Family Farm, KN Excavation, Forman Realtors, and Forman Realtors-Jennifer Fielding

Market Rabbits

  • The Grand Champion Rabbits (Market Fryers) were shown by Macy Miller of Mount Vernon with the Down On The Farm 4H Club.
    • Smithhisler Meats bought the animals for a price of $3,750
  • The Reserve Champion Market Rabbits were shown by Annalia Wolf of Mount Vernon from the Down on the Farm 4H Club.
    • THR Creekside Home Inspections bought the animals for a price of $2,750

There was one 4H member with MULTIPLE ANIMALS in the Sale:

Ethan Swendal had the:
1. Grand Champion Dairy Market Feeder – sold for $3,000
2. Grand Champion Market Dairy Steer – sold for $3,500
3. Reserve Grand Champion Market Dairy Steer – sold for $5,500
Ethan’s Sale Total: $12,000

Congratulations to these special award winners that were announced at the Sale of Champions:

The Junior Fair Sales Committee presented a Hall of Fame Award this year.
This award recognizes individuals and organizations that go above and beyond normal efforts to benefit the sale, the Junior Fair and most importantly the Knox County Youth involved in 4H and FFA.
The 2026 recipient is: Larry Hall, long-time 4H Educator with the OSU Extension Office of Knox County

David Greer Award from Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club:
Presented in honor of David Greer and his legacy of serving the community. He has served as a trustee and Vice President of the Knox County Historical Society and secretary for the Knox County Ag Museum. His background is in teaching including 16 years at Danville High School. He served for many years as a volunteer with many 4H programs in Knox County.
The scholarships were presented by Wendi Fowler, Mike Copley, and Crystal Snell-Tomes from Kiwanis.
$500 scholarship – Lane Dugan
$250 scholarship – Austin Frazier

2026 Knox County Fair Royalty:

2026 Junior Fair Queen – Sophie Wolf

2026 Junior Fair King – Will Stokes

2026 Little Miss Knox County – Hallie Johnson

2026 Little Mr. Knox County – Karsten Tedrow

2026 Horse Queen – Luci Byler

2026 Horse Prince – Michael Carpenter


Knox County Junior Fair Outstanding Exhibitors:

Market Beef – Bailey Smith

Beef Feeder – Cade Strausbaugh

Dairy Market Feeder – Taylor Tyson

Market Dairy Steer – Ethan Swendal

Market Goat – Brock Mason

Rabbit – Blake Hegemier

Sheep – Sutton Reynolds

Swine – Addison Parker

Poultry – Bristol Hegemier

Turkey – Kennedy Black


Knox County Junior Fair Ambassadors:

Junior Poultry – Teegan Riddle

Senior Poultry – Adysson Gerhart

Senior Rabbit – Sophie Wolf

Junior Goat – Isabel Lewis

Senior Goat – Meira Bryant

Junior Swine – Priscilla Smith and Matilda Sulzer

Senior Sheep – Isabella Byler

Senior Dairy – Sierra Shields

Senior Beef – Lane Dugan

Junior Beef – Zoey Shelley

Horse Queen – Luci Byler

Horse Prince – Michael Carpenter

Knox County Cattleman’s Awards:
The Knox County Cattlemen’s Association presented a $500 scholarship to a student pursuing college or technical school education.  The recipient is a current cattle exhibitor at the Knox County Fair pursuing their field of study in a post-secondary institution, preferably studying agriculture, specifically Animal Science.  The applicant’s family will be current members of the Knox County Cattlemen’s Association.
2026 Scholarship Recipient: Lane Dugan from Fredericktown

Cattleman’s Awards:

Dairy Beef Herdsman: Austin Robinson

Beef Herdsman: Lane Dugan

Market Dairy Steer Grand Champion Carcass: Austin Robinson


Market Dairy Steer Reserve Champion Carcass: Kenzi Staats

Beef Grand Champion Carcass: James Stachler


Beef Reserve Champion Carcass: Bailee Smith

Beef Feeder – Born, Bred and Raised Grand Champion Award Winner: Malia Goodwin


Beef Feeder – Born, Bred and Raised Reserve Champion Award Winner: Cade Strausbaugh

Dairy Market Feeder – Born, Bred and Raised Grand Champion Award Winner: Gage Robinson


Dairy Market Feeder – Born, Bred and Raised sed Reserve Champion Award Winner: Austin Robinson

Market Beef – Born, Bred and Raised Grand Champion Award Winner: Austin Frazier


Market Beef – Born, Bred and Raised Reserve Champion Award Winner: Malachi Goodwin

Market Dairy Steer – Born, Bred and Raised Grand Champion Award Winner: Austin Robinson


Market Dairy Steer – Born, Bred and Raised Reserve Champion Award Winner: Gage Robinson


Senior Fair Board Scholarships:
The Senior Fair Board presented two $200 scholarships. These scholarships are for 2026 graduates and had an essay-driven application.
2026 Winners: Raegan Blanchard and Kenlee Fairall

Gage Moody Heart and Soul Award:
This award is sponsored by JDC Livestock and is dedicated to Gage Moody’s memory. It aims to recognize individuals who demonstrate the following qualities:

  • Daily effort and commitment
  • Setting a positive example for others
  • Showing passion for their project despite being perceived as the underdog.

Kinsley Prosser and Haley Unger each were recognized with the Gage Moody Heart and Soul Award, and each received a $750 scholarship.

The Junior Fair Board also received a check for $500 from Farm Credit Mid-America. This check was given for their Stock the Trailer collection for a local food pantry. They are still collecting non-perishable food and monetary donations. You can drop off donations at the main Fair Board Office. Our Knox County Junior Fair Board is competing against other Junior Fair Boards across Ohio.

Love Like Linda Scholarship:
The family of Linda Dowalter is pleased to announce the establishment of the “Love Like Linda Scholarship.”
“Love Like Linda” is an inspiring concept encouraging individuals to embrace a life filled with compassion, kindness, and selflessness. It embodies the idea of living with an open heart, much like Linda – she was a mom, sister, aunt, and grandma, who was known for her unwavering love and generosity. Loving like Linda means actively listening to others, showing empathy, and offering support without expecting anything in return. It’s about positively impacting the lives of those around you, whether through small acts of kindness or significant gestures of support. By adopting this mindset, we can cultivate deeper connections and create a more compassionate world, one interaction at a time. The Dowalter Family is honored and pleased to present this scholarship to someone who embodies the personality Linda exhibited every day of her life and encouraged others to exhibit as well.

This nonrenewable scholarship will be issued to one individual meeting the following criteria.

• 2026 High School Graduate OR
• Exhibitor that 2026 is their last year of eligibility
• Good Standing 4H or FFA Member
• Will be or is currently attending a two- or four-year technical school or university/college

The applicant was required to write an essay answering the following prompt: “What the characteristic selflessness means to me”.

They were also required to submit two (2) letters of recommendation from non-family members explaining how the applicant exhibits selflessness.  

Taylor Thorne was recognized with the “Love Like Linda Scholarship” and received a $1,000 scholarship.

NEW FOR 2026 – POMONA GRANGE SCHOLARSHIP
The Pomona Grange gave two $200 scholarships for qualified individuals who attend a technical school and have the intention of continuing their education and/or occupation in the agricultural industry.

2026 Scholarship Winners: Kenlee Fairall and Raegan Blanchard

Another NEW Scholarship was awarded based on this year’s theme for the Knox County Fair. The Building for a Stronger Tomorrow Award was presented to Will Stokes, this year’s Junior Fair King.

Thanks to our partners for helping us bring you live results from this year’s Sale of Champions.

Thanks to:
– CES Credit Union
– The Knox County Career Center
– Revere Roofing Company
– The Ruckman Group Auctions and Appraisals
– Valley ATV
– Wendys of Mount Vernon

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Stock the Trailer Brings the Knox County Fair Together to Fight Hunger!

The Knox County Junior Fair Board’s Stock the Trailer campaign is turning fair week into an opportunity to help families throughout the community.

WNZR’s Eric Brown spoke with Olivia Stern of Food For The Hungry, Captain Christine Moretz of The Salvation Army of Mount Vernon, and Knox County Fair Queen Sophie Wolf about the food drive, the need it addresses, and how fairgoers can take part.

Click HERE to hear the conversations!

Stern said Stock the Trailer has grown into a successful partnership between the Junior Fair Board and Food For The Hungry. Along with collecting food, the campaign helps raise awareness about hunger in Knox County and gives young people a direct way to serve their community.

That support is especially important as local food pantries continue to see more families asking for assistance. Stern said the need has increased significantly in recent years, making community food drives an important part of keeping pantry shelves stocked.

Captain Moretz said the donations arrive at an important time for The Salvation Army of Mount Vernon. Demand at its food pantry continues to grow, and the food collected through Stock the Trailer will help the organization serve local families.

The donations also support The Salvation Army’s summer day camp. Moretz said dozens of children receive breakfast, lunch, and snacks through the program each day.

Wolf explained that Stock the Trailer is also part of a competition sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st. Participating county fairs compete to collect the greatest amount of donated food by weight.

Collection sites are located throughout the Knox County Fairgrounds, giving visitors several opportunities to donate during fair week.

Wolf said the project reflects the fair’s commitment to community service. While the fair celebrates agriculture and the accomplishments of local young people, Stock the Trailer also reminds visitors of the importance of helping neighbors who are facing food insecurity.

Click HERE to learn more about Food For The Hungry!

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

Click HERE to see the story from WBNS-TV!

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Behind the Bid: Inside Knox County Fair Sale Day with Jim Blanchard

One of the biggest and most anticipated days of the Knox County Fair is almost here! Junior Fair Sale Day returns Friday 7/31, bringing together hundreds of young exhibitors, local businesses, and community members to celebrate a year of hard work and dedication.

On The Morning Thing, WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart sat down with Jim Blanchard, President of the Knox County Junior Fair Sales Committee, to get an inside look at everything happening on Sale Day.

During the interview, Jim explains why the move to Friday has been a success for exhibitors, buyers, and volunteers alike. He shares how the schedule allows more people to participate while providing additional opportunities for students to showcase the livestock projects they’ve spent months preparing.

Listeners will also hear:

  • The complete schedule for Junior Fair Sale Day.
  • Details about the special awards presented to outstanding exhibitors.
  • How first-time buyers can register and participate in the sale.
  • How payment, processing, and buyback options work for livestock purchases.
  • A look back at the impressive results from the 2025 Junior Fair Sale and how it compared to previous years.
  • Jim’s hopes for another successful Sale Day in 2026 and the lasting impact these projects have on Knox County youth.

Throughout the conversation, Jim highlights that Junior Fair Sale Day is about much more than buying livestock. It’s an investment in the next generation. Students develop responsibility, leadership, communication skills, financial stewardship, and a strong work ethic through their animal projects—lessons that will benefit them long after the fair has ended.

Jim also expresses his gratitude to the countless volunteers, committee members, businesses, buyers, families, and community supporters who make Junior Fair Sale Day possible each year. Their generosity and commitment help create opportunities for nearly 1,500 Knox County youth to grow, learn, and succeed.

WNZR is honored to continue our tradition of bringing you complete coverage of the Knox County Fair, including Junior Fair Sale Day. We invite you to listen to this informative interview and learn how your support of the Junior Fair helps invest in the future of our community.

Tune in on Friday, 7/31 to hear our LIVE Broadcast from the Sale of Champions. We will start at 8am!

Thank you to Jim Blanchard for joining us and for his continued leadership in making the Knox County Junior Fair Sale a memorable experience for students and buyers alike.

Click HERE to hear the entire conversation OR click on the picture below.

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Kennedy Auker Reflects on the Opportunity That Changed Her Life!

Kennedy Auker’s time with the Knox County Junior Fair Board began with one decision to get involved. Looking back, she says that choice helped put her on the path she is following today.

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talked with Kennedy, the 2025 Knox County Junior Fair Queen, about her years at the fair, the opportunities she found through 4-H, and what comes next.

Click HERE to hear the full interview!

Kennedy grew up on her family’s Knox County farm and spent 11 years showing market hogs. She was also a member of the Knox Rocks 4-H Club and the Knox County Career Center FFA Chapter.

She served on the Junior Fair Board for five years. Although she is no longer officially a member, Kennedy continues to help during fair week and encourages younger exhibitors to become involved.

Kennedy said joining the Junior Fair Board became a turning point in her life. She believes taking a chance and introducing yourself to others can lead to opportunities you may never have expected.

As the 2025 Junior Fair Queen, Kennedy spent the year representing the fair, visiting events, and sharing information about Knox County’s fair programs.

She is now a sophomore at The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute, where she is studying agricultural communications. This summer, she is completing an internship with EMI Landscaping in Plain City while continuing to explore career options for after college.

Among her favorite fair memories are visits to the Parkette stand and the time spent with friends throughout the week.

Kennedy said one of her biggest lessons has been learning to love what she does, even during difficult moments. She also encouraged others to find someone they can rely on when life becomes challenging.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)

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Stella rules the 3rd Annual Wiener Dog Races at the Knox County Fair

On Monday, Stella the Dachshund, held on to her title as the fastest Wiener Dog at the Knox County Fair.
For the third year in a row, she has taken first place in the races here in Mount Vernon.
Her brother Sterling placed 2nd in the race, followed by Oakley.
WNZR’s Josiah Styer talked with the proud owners of these amazing dogs.
Click HERE to hear the conversations.

Make sure to see a video of the final race on WNZR’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

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Sierra Shields Says the Knox County Fair Is About Leadership, Responsibility and Serving Others

While fairgoers often see the shows and competitions, there’s another group working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. Sierra Shields wears several hats on the Knox County Junior Fair Board, serving as a liaison, Dairy Ambassador, and leader for fellow exhibitors.

WNZR’s Sue McDonald recently sat down with Sierra to discuss her many responsibilities, her livestock projects, and the lessons she’s learned through years of involvement with 4-H and FFA.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Sierra, of Howard, is a senior at Danville High School and also attends the Knox County Career Center in the College U Business program. She’s a member of the Creative Kids 4-H Club and Danville FFA. She has been involved in 4-H for eight years, FFA for four years, and has spent the past three years serving on the Junior Fair Board. She has also served as Dairy Ambassador and a liaison for four years.

As a liaison, Sierra acts as a communication link between exhibitors, parents, and visitors, helping answer questions and keep events running smoothly. As Dairy Ambassador, she represents the dairy industry while encouraging younger members to become involved in agriculture.

This year, Sierra said the Junior Fair Board has placed extra emphasis on animal care and safety by providing exhibitors with clear guidelines for barn walkthroughs and making sure livestock receive proper care throughout the week.

Beyond her leadership roles, Sierra is busy in the show ring. At the Knox County Fair she’s exhibiting market dairy steers, market dairy feeders, and a market hog. She’ll continue her summer at the Ohio State Fair, where she’ll also show sheep and additional cattle.

Preparing animals for competition is a year-round commitment. Sierra explained that exhibitors spend months helping animals become comfortable around people while making sure they’re healthy and ready for the show ring. She credits her younger siblings for helping with chores and daily responsibilities throughout the year.

Looking ahead, Sierra plans to return to the Career Center’s College U Business program while pursuing internship opportunities. Her long-term goal is to attend Wilmington College and earn a master’s degree in animal science.

Reflecting on her years in 4-H and the Junior Fair Board, Sierra said one of the biggest lessons she’s learned is the importance of staying true to yourself and treating others with authenticity. One of her favorite fair memories is competing in showmanship alongside her older brother.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)

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WNZR Talks with the 2026 Little Miss and Mr. Knox County!

2026 Knox County Fair Royalty were announced on Sunday. WNZR’s Joe Rinehart had the chance to talk with the 2026 Little Miss Knox County – Hallie Johnson and Little Mr. Knox County – Karsten Tedrow. They shared about their experience in the Pageant.

Click HERE to hear the conversations!

This was the 34th year for Little Miss Knox County and the 5th year for Little Mr. Knox County!

Congratulations to all the participants and winners:

2026 Little Miss Knox County – Hallie Johnson

1st Runner Up – Kasey Mason
2nd Runner Up – Millie Ruckman
3rd Runner Up – Anna Prince

2026 Little Mr Knox County – Karsten Tedrow

1st Runner Up – Heath Scott
2nd Runner Up – Jay Schall
3rd Runner Up – Holden Miles

Check out our pictures on the WNZR Facebook Page. Look for the 2025 Knox County Fair Sunday photo album.

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The Morning Thing Friday Favorites – our favorite songs from for King & Country

Today for our Friday Favorites, The Morning Thing hosts shared their favorite songs from for King & Country. We are so excited for their concert on Monday, 8/3 at the Ohio State Fair. Listen 7/27 – 7/31 for your chance to win tickets to the show!

Click HERE for more information on the concert and how to win.

Click HERE to hear from the hosts.

Take a listen to the songs:

Marcy’s favorite is The Proof of Your Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-2dKOfbC9c

Eric’s favorite is Fix My Eyes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ej9T4bTAGI

Daniels’s favorite is God Only Knows
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5cPQg3oq-o

Ethan’s favorite is It’s Not Over Yet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmTmTMcdxOs

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Ryleigh Scarpitti Reflects on Leadership, 4-H, and the Knox County Fair

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger recently sat down with Ryleigh Scarpitti, a member of the 2026 Knox County Junior Fair Board, to talk about her involvement in 4-H, her projects for this year’s fair, and the lessons she has learned through the program.

Click HERE to hear the full interview!

Ryleigh is from Centerburg and is homeschooled. She also shared how her brother plays football for Centerburg.

She is a member of Liberty Livestock and is in her third year with the club. Ryleigh has been involved in 4-H for eight years and is serving her second year on the Knox County Junior Fair Board.

During the interview, she talked about the responsibilities that come with serving on the Junior Fair Board while also preparing her own projects for fair week.

This year, Ryleigh is looking forward to taking both quilting and turkey projects to the Ohio State Fair. She is also exhibiting turkeys at the Knox County Fair and explained some of the work that goes into preparing them for the show ring, including flipping the birds for judging.

She said she is especially excited about her quilting project because she has invested a great deal of time and effort into it. This will be her second year exhibiting quilting at the Ohio State Fair.

Once the Knox County Fair wraps up, Ryleigh plans to exhibit at the Hartford Fair before spending time with friends.

Looking back on her years in 4-H, Ryleigh said one of the biggest lessons she has learned is responsibility. She also said the program has taught her how to stay calm while working with animals, be reliable, make new friends, and become more confident by stepping outside of her comfort zone.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)

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Kaci’s Camp Honors a Life That Continues to Inspire Hope and Inclusion

Kristin and Coach Jared Ronai recently joined WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart to talk about Kaci’s Camp, a free sports camp created in memory of their daughter, Kaci Ronai. The camp is designed for children with Down syndrome and reflects the Ronais’ desire to honor Kaci’s life while encouraging other families.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Jared shared that more than a year ago, he and Kristin learned they were expecting their fourth child. Later in the pregnancy, they found out Kaci would be born with Down syndrome.

Kaci was born on November 29th, 2025, and spent her first month in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Jared said the family was able to bring her home on New Year’s Eve, which became a very special day for their family. He also reflected on the memories they were able to make together during Kaci’s time at home.

Kaci became sick, and because of medical complications, she passed away on March 22nd, 2026.

Following her passing, the Ronais wanted to create something that would continue Kaci’s legacy. That vision became Kaci’s Camp.

The camp will be held on Saturday, August 8th, at Ariel Arena on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University. It is open to children ages 6 through 18 with Down syndrome and will feature basketball, volleyball, soccer, and wiffle ball.

Kristin said their family was always focused on helping Kaci thrive, and they hope the camp will provide that same encouragement for other children. Jared said the goal is to give participants an opportunity to feel celebrated, build confidence around others like them, and enjoy a day where they can thrive through sports and activities.

The event is completely free for participating families. While donations are accepted, the Ronais said those gifts will help provide educational resources for parents of children with Down syndrome. They also shared that approximately one in every 700 babies is born with Down syndrome, and they hope the camp helps raise awareness within the community.

Kaci’s Camp is designed as a full-day event. Registration will take place from 9:30 until 10 a.m., with activities running from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Campers will participate in two sports during the morning, followed by lunch and breaks before taking part in two additional sports during the afternoon.

Kristin said they want every child who attends to feel like they are part of something and know they are welcomed. She also said that while the camp is centered on the children, she hopes volunteers and everyone involved will leave with a greater appreciation for the Down syndrome community.

Jared shared that he hopes Kaci’s Camp continues to grow in the years ahead, helping raise awareness about Down syndrome while honoring Kaci’s life and the impact she had on their family. Kristin also offered encouragement to parents who may receive a Down syndrome diagnosis for their child, saying that children with Down syndrome are a gift from God and sharing that Kaci was a tremendous blessing to their family.

As they prepare for the first Kaci’s Camp, the Ronais are asking the community to pray for the event, for enough volunteers to serve, and that every child who attends will have a positive experience and feel loved.

Registration is open through August 1st.

The Ronais are also seeking volunteers, and anyone interested in serving can use the same email address to learn more about available opportunities.

Click HERE to find out more or register!

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