Earlier this summer, four local students captured the state championship as part of the 4-H senior livestock judging team. They earned the title at the Penn State 4-H Achievement Days, held at the University Park campus in June.

Members of the winning team are Manheim Central High School seniors Dylan Leed, Luke Snavely and Eric Zimmerman, along with Cocalico High School junior Zach Bollinger. Dylan, who is the son of Ken and Lori Leed of Lititz, has been a member of 4-H for six years. He placed third overall in the Livestock Judging contest. Luke has been a member of 4-H for eight years and placed fifth overall at the event. He is the son of Jason and Erica Snavely of Manheim. Eric, who placed 12th overall, has been a 4-H member for nine years and is the son of Ryan and Tracy Zimmerman of Manheim. A member of 4-H for eight years, Zach is the son of Deb Bollinger of Reinholds and the late Jeff Bollinger. He placed 10th overall in the contest.

As Dani Zurin, one of the volunteer coaches of the team, explained, although the boys competed individually, their scores were combined to determine the champions. The students were scored on how they judged pigs, sheep, goats and beef cattle, comparing how they ranked the animals in relation to rankings from judging officials. "The officials are looking at how the kids placed the livestock," Dani explained, noting that the students have the opportunity to advocate for their decisions. "They give oral reasonings of why they ranked as they did, and sometimes, they may have made a different decision than the officials, but they still win because they made a good argument for that ranking."

Dani is joined by her husband, Adam, as a volunteer coach, along with Johanna Rohrer. She noted that winning the state championship was thrilling, but not totally unexpected. "We knew they were a good team," she said. "They've been working toward this for a while." The team has been practicing all summer to prepare for its next competitions, she said, which include the Keystone International Livestock Expo in Harrisburg and the Stockman Livestock Judging Contest and Boilermaker Classic in Indiana, both in October. Additionally, the team will compete in November at the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in Louisville, Ky.

Dani noted that with three of the four team members graduating this year, the team is looking to replenish its roster for future competitions. "We're always looking for the next group of kids to join us," she said. "Anyone can join the livestock judging team if they are a member of a 4-H livestock club in Lancaster County."

The livestock judging team is looking for financial support for its upcoming competitions. To make a donation or for more information, contact Emily Welk at eaw13@psu.edu.