South Dakota State University Extension 4-H is pleased to announce the 2024 Premier Exhibitor Award winners. Sixty 4-H members are being recognized for their hard work and accomplishments in the 4-H animal project areas with the Premier Exhibitor Award. The award is divided into four categories: large animal (beef, sheep, swine, meat goat); small animal/dairy (poultry, rabbit, dairy goat and dairy cattle); horse; and dog. “The Premier Exhibitor Awards are the highest honor for animal projects in the South Dakota 4-H program,” said Tim Tanner, SDSU Extension State 4-H Program Director. “To win these honors, youth must demonstrate research-based knowledge gain, work ethic and animal care. With such dedication to their animal projects, these accomplished youth are prepared to be well-rounded in life.” Placings are determined by the highest combined score of showmanship, skill-a-thon and animal show class results (performance or market/breeding). The top two members in each project area and age division receive a banner or belt buckles, and third through fifth place in the small and large animal projects receive a cash award. “The knowledge and experience these youth are gaining through their animal projects is incredible. We are very excited for these youth members and congratulate them on this outstanding accomplishment,” said Sami Nordmann, State 4-H Livestock Program Manager. “We hope that these youth will continue to grow in their project areas and inspire others through their passion and hard work.” 2024 Premier Exhibitor Awards: Large Animal (beef, sheep, swine, meat goat) Beginner 1st – Thatcher Werning, Hanson County 2nd – McQuade Beare, Codington County 3rd – Paisley Johnson, Minnehaha County 4th – Henry Neilson, Hanson County 5th – Jace Smith, Spink County Junior 1st – Creighten Werning, Hanson County 2nd – Chanel Mohrhauser, Minnehaha County 3rd – Hannah Skovly, Brookings County 4th – Skylar Stiefvater, McCook County 5th – Jake Cody, Minnehaha County Senior 1st – Josie Nold, Brookings County Courtesy photo. 2nd – Delaney Zoss, Sanborn County 3rd – Landon Berg, Hanson County 4th – Carissa Scheel, Buffalo/Jerauld County 5th – Katelyn Dorsey, Hyde County Small Animal/Dairy (poultry, rabbit, dairy goat, dairy cattle) Beginner 1st – Kaylin Gjernes, Brookings County 2nd – Kaydee Neuharth, Hughes/Stanley County 3rd – Summer Senska, Sanborn County 4th – Eli McCloud, Kingsbury County 5th – Lydia Wonnenberg, Tripp County Junior 1st – Justin Neuharth, Hughes/Stanley County 2nd – Larissa Fossum, Union County 3rd – Bailey Gjernes, Brookings County 4th – Hannah Masterson, Hutchinson County 5th – Mya McCloud, Kingsbury County Senior 1st – Johnathon Neuharth, Hughes/Stanley County Courtesy photo. 2nd – Brityn Davies, Kingsbury County 3rd – Braylon Plucker, Turner County 4th – Brianna Gilchrist, Tripp County 5th – Karin Sweeter, Lincoln County Horse Beginner 1st – Zoey Rigo, Turner County 2nd – Magda Martinez, Hutchinson County 3rd – Emersyn Schwagel, Grant County 4th – Brace Tapio, Hutchinson County 5th – Kershaw Reiner, Buffalo/Jerauld County Junior 1st – Emily Tapio, Hutchinson County 2nd – Maddie Lachman, Turner County 3rd – Lily Roesler, Buffalo/Jerauld County 4th – Madelyn Van Lith, Grant County 5th – Colston Dubbelde, Turner County Senior 1st – Delaney Zoss, Sanborn County Courtesy photo. 2nd – Bailey Schwagel, Grant County 3rd – Josie Nold, Brookings County 4th – Anna Johnson, Brown County 5th – Brooke Schwagel, Grant County Dog Beginner 1st – Lilian Rusch, Pennington County 2nd – Alexis Fridley, Sanborn County 3rd – Piper Graham, Davison County 4th – Heath Wetzler, Butte/Lawrence County 5th – Navayah Vandenbosch, Lincoln County Junior 1st – Bailie Lapcinski, Pennington County 2nd – Hailey Hussey, Pennington County 3rd – Sarah Bultje, Davison County 4th – Kathryn Framstad, Kingsbury County 5th – AJ Lindner, Codington County Senior 1st – Gracie Kramer, Lincoln County Courtesy photo. 2nd – Makayla Meland, Day County 3rd – Jodyn Bawek, Spink County 4th – Sarah Carlson, Deuel County 5th – Madalyn Oftedahl, Deuel County