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A Clover Kid’s first fair
Eight-year-old Brylinn Leer showed at the Vernon County Youth Fair for the first time this year earning several ribbons in the peewee classes.
Brylinn has spent two years as a 4-H Clover Kid in Country Clovers and has also been active in Girl Scouts.
“About halfway through the year she was like, ‘Mom!, We haven’t been going to 4-H!’” Emily Earnest said. “There wasn’t enough time to get in enough meetings but she wanted to do crafts.”
But mom had an idea — Brylinn could show through her Girl Scout troop.
“So that’s what we did,” Earnest said.
4-H members, FFA members, Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts can all show at the Vernon County Youth Fair. 4-H members must attend six meetings during the year in order to show at the fair.
Brylinn completed six craft projects for this year’s fair.
“One was an activity canvas, one was a cross, one was cans with the 4-H symbol and the 4-H clover, a flower pot — which kind of died — a fabric wreath and we took a picture, ” she said. “I got six ribbons because I did six projects. I got ribbons for all of them — green and yellow.”
She also entered her puppy Spot — a Labrador Retriever and Australian Cattle Dog mix — in the kid’s pet show.
“We had to talk into a microphone … and tell Stacy about [Spot],” Brylinn said.
She and Spot earned a rainbow ribbon for showing in the pet show.
“I also tried doing the peewee but that didn’t go very well,” Brylinn said. “I got scared.”
Brylinn didn’t make it into the ring for the peewee sheep show.
Earnest said part of the problem was that the show was late in the evening and everyone was hot and tired.
For the next several days, Brylinn asked her mom if she could compete in the pet show.
“If it’s going to get her into the ring then ‘yes, you can do it,’” Earnest said. “So she did it and was fine. She was all smiles the whole entire time.”
Brylinn’s little brother, Brady, told his sister the night before the pet show, “Sissy, if you get scared, I’ll show the puppy,” Earnest said.
Earnest got the OK and Brady helped Brylinn show Spot during the pet show.
“Landon Sullivan,” Brylinn said. “He kind of gave me some courage to go out there.”
“Landon has been super encouraging for you hasn’t he?” Earnest asked Brylinn.
“Yes,” Brylinn replied.
And what has 4-H and the fair done for Brylinn?
“It made her braver,” Earnest said. “Gave her a little feel for it I guess you could say.”
Confidence was quickly added to the list.
“I would say it has helped with friendships and socializing,” Earnest said. “I think it has helped her become more responsible and get ready for deadlines.”
“I have tons of friends,” Brylinn said.
Brylinn wasn’t sure if she wants to stay in 4-H growing up, but she will get a better idea of what it entails this next year when she can participate as a full 4-H member.
Earnest said Brylinn had shown interest in the steer show at the fair.
“Not a big cow, I want to show a little cow,” Brylinn said.
Outside of Girl Scouts, 4-H and the fair, Brylinn participates in gymnastics, little league cheerleading, basketball, softball, roller skating, swimming, dancing, archery and kid’s church at First Baptist Church.
“She’s my busy little beaver,” Earnest said.
As for next year’s fair.
“I might show a goat next year,” Brylinn said.
Of course, a craft project or two — or six — will make it to the fair next year as well.
“I’m really artsy,” Brylinn said.