‘Beyond the Blue Ribbon’ brings new opportunities to Marinette County Fair
A new program, “Beyond the Blue Ribbon,” was introduced at this year’s Marinette County Fair in Wausaukee, Wis. The program gives youth with special needs the chance to learn all it takes to show farm animals at the fair. Experienced 4-H mentors assist two participants on how to show a hog in the ring for competition. Karen Klenke photo
Marinette County Fair judge Brad Beaumier presents a ribbon after taking part in the “Beyond the Blue Ribbon” program. Karen Klenke photo
Reese Swiatnicki shows off her “Beyond the Blue Ribbon” ribbon and T-shirt. Karen Klenke photo
A new program, “Beyond the Blue Ribbon,” was introduced at this year’s Marinette County Fair in Wausaukee, Wis. The program gives youth with special needs the chance to learn all it takes to show farm animals at the fair. Experienced 4-H mentors assist two participants on how to show a hog in the ring for competition. Karen Klenke photo
Marinette County Fair judge Brad Beaumier presents a ribbon after taking part in the “Beyond the Blue Ribbon” program. Karen Klenke photo
Reese Swiatnicki shows off her “Beyond the Blue Ribbon” ribbon and T-shirt. Karen Klenke photo
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MARINETTE, Wis. -- "Beyond the Blue Ribbon" brought a new opportunity to the Marinette County Fair this year, giving youth with special needs the chance to learn how to prepare, train and show farm animals with the help of experienced 4-H mentors.
The program was the result of a collaboration between Lynn Dunkes, a former special-needs paraprofessional in the Niagara School District, and Katie Van de Walle of the town of Grover in Marinette County.
The two educators developed the idea of opening the fair experience to special-needs students from throughout the county, both rural and urban, ages 8 to 21.
The Marinette County Fair, which took place Aug. 27-30 in Wausaukee, Wis., expanded its 4-H participation this year to include the new program. On Saturday, friends, family members and fairgoers gathered around the show ring as eight special-needs participants and their 4-H mentors entered the arena.
The program paired each participant with a 4-H student who had earned a blue ribbon for showing swine at the fair.
Following a "meet and greet," the 4-H mentors worked with the students to teach them how to groom and train the hogs for competition. They also learned the procedures and requirements of the show ring.
When the students entered the arena to demonstrate what they had learned, they were greeted with enthusiastic applause from the crowd.
Blue ribbons were awarded to the participants, who beamed with pride and joy.
Their 4-H mentors shared in the excitement, reflecting the sense of accomplishment that came from seeing their students succeed.
For Dunkes and Van de Walle, the program was about more than teaching students how to show an animal. It was an opportunity to create an inclusive experience and give students with special needs a place to participate, learn and be recognized alongside their peers.
"Beyond the Blue Ribbon" demonstrated the power of giving back -- and of making sure every student has the opportunity to be included.