Saunders takes first place in senior competition

By Maddie Cogan, Tribune intern

ROME TOWNSHIP — Senior Kara Saunders won the 2018 Lawrence County Fair Senior Showman of Showmen award Friday morning.

The competition takes place between senior showmen winners from the fair’s preceding days. Participants show various types of animals to a series of judges in the ring of the main barn.

Saunders said she was “excited” about her new title. She has participated in 4-H for nine years.

“I’ve enjoyed working with the animals and I competed against really good showmen,” Saunders said.

When Saunders began her 4-H career, she worked with lambs and heifers, but for the last five years she has taken care of hogs.

Being in 4-H has been a good experience for Saunders.

“I get to do what I love with people I enjoy,” she said

Winning Senior Showman of Showmen does not come without a cost. Saunders said.

“Every night I had to work with my pigs,” she said. “I, sometimes, had to sacrifice time with my friends.”

Saunders began 4-H after watching her sisters and other family members participate in it.

“My nephew already said he wants to show hogs,” she said.

Kara is a senior at Symmes Valley High School and plans to go to college to be a nurse practitioner after graduating.

Second place went to Matison Klaiber, and Garrett Daniels took third place.