Clair Grywalski, Trail Blazers 4-H Club
Clair Grywalski is the daughter of Lisa Grywalski of Plain City. Grywalski’s history within 4-H is storied. She has shown a number of projects as the Ohio State Fair including cake decorating, Ohio Birds, Draft Horses, and Dressage, in which she placed in the top 10 for three consecutive years. She also earned Reserve Grand Champion with her Light Horse Selection Project. Filling an officer role within her club for the past four years, she now presides as club president.
Grywalski served on the 4-H Advisory Committee and Jr. Fair Board in 2018, helping to organize the fair, annual 4-H banquet, and served as chair on the boards for nutrition judging and the dog show.
Grywalski’s excellent academic record places her at the top of her class, earning her positions within National Honor Society and Sociedad Honorifica España, an organization focused on Spanish language excellence. Her other extracurricular activities include math and Spanish clubs, quick recall, basketball, theater and crew, as well as marching and concert band.
Grywalski will attend the University of Cincinnati in the fall and will major in industrial design. Grywalski cites 4-H as a contributing factor in her choice of profession.
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Mackenzie Abbati, Hoof Beats 4-H Club
Mackenzie Abbati is the daughter of Mark and Mendy Abbati of Johnstown. Abbati has garnered many equine accomplishments including earning fourth in the 2014 State Trail Ride Competition, the 2017 Ohio 4-H Horse Achievement Award, became the 2018 Union County Horse Skill-a-thon Grand Champion, and was crowned as the Union County Equine Ambassador in 2018.
Abbati is an exemplar in the equine ring, being invited to present proper sportsmanship to Union County horse project exhibitors, network with and present for horse programs in the counties surrounding Union County and competed in state and national level horse competitions. Abbati has served on the Union County Jr. Fair Board, though she is currently serving on the Advisory Council for her third consecutive year.
In pursuit of her dream of becoming a large animal veterinarian, Abbati will attend the OSU Agricultural Technical Institute to study animal health. “4-H has taught me to pursue my passion, and my passion drives me towards the very animals that have made my learning experience happen,” Abbati explains. “Growing up a part of the 4-H horse program has helped shape me into the person I am today. It has given me a sense of responsibility and hard work.”
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Grant Kessler, Hoof Beats 4-H Club
Grant Kessler is the son of Gary and Jennifer Kessler of Ostrander. Kessler held numerous officer roles in the Hoof Beats 4-H Club where he is currently serving as club President. He also serves on the Union County Jr. Fair Board, his club’s Fair Decorations Committee, as well as competes in and assists with horse competitions at both the county and state level. Over the course of ten years, he has taken a number of projects to fair, such as photography, woodworking, welding, electronics, and has shown horses for all ten of his years of participation.
Despite his history in horse showmanship, Kessler found a passion for landscaping through FFA. A supervised agriculture program through FFA allowed him and his brother Blake to open and operate their own landscaping business as well as compete in landscaping contests. Kessler plans to double major in landscape horticulture and turfgrass management at the OSU Agricultural Technical Institute.
“While my FFA experience has helped me decide on a career path, 4-H developed the skills for my success,” said Kessler. His work in 4-H has developed his confidence, strengthened his oration skills, and has taught him to be an independent learner, skills which he will use in his life and career.