Ohio State Fair selects Junior Fair Board; Newsome to serve as president, Morrow as at-large member

Ohio State Fair officials have announced the 2023 Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board. The 2023 Junior Fair Board (JFB) is comprised of 20 young Ohioans from 12 Ohio counties.

The students chosen for the board represent thousands of youth from across Ohio who participate in 4-H, Boy Scouts, Farm Bureau, FFA, Girl Scouts and Tech Ed. Rising to the level of becoming a JFB member means each selected student has gone above and beyond to serve their organization and community.

The countless hours of involvement in each selected member’s organization has equipped them to best represent their organization and the overall Ohio State Fair Junior Fair.  

“Each year, we search the state for young Ohioans who demonstrate leadership and eagerness to grow through the dedication they have shown to their organization over the years,” said Virgil Strickler, General Manager of the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair. “While relying on the assistance of these young leaders to help with many aspects of the Ohio State Fair, the ultimate goal of this program is to have youth involved in these organizations be present to speak on behalf of the Junior Fair and show the importance of helping young people who are involved in the Fair grow their futures.”

Throughout the 12 days of the Fair, July 26 – Aug. 6, 2023, JFB members can be spotted throughout the grounds in their blue polos assisting with various activities including providing supplies at the monster mural outside the Lausche Youth Exploration Space, helping with youth fishing in Natural Resources Park, welcoming guests to shows at the Main Street and Gazebo Stages, ushering patrons to their seats in the WCOL Celeste Center, providing customer service assistance and much more.

In addition to their duties, each member will have the opportunity to connect with working professionals from around the state to learn more about pursuing a career in Ohio, present to the Ohio Expositions Commission about the importance of the Junior Fair, and connect with one another to form friendships that will last far beyond the end of the 2023 Ohio State Fair.

This year’s Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board is comprised of 20 highly accomplished individuals ages 16 to 20 from across the state. Of the 20 members, 12 are second-year members returning from 2022.
 
Members include:

Sara Newsome, President, 4-H, Second Year, Highland County

Wyatt Morrow, At-Large, First Year, Highland County

Zak Beaver, 4-H, First Year, Delaware County

Josie Burke, FFA, Second Year, Washington County

Elizabeth Fannin, PR Officer, 4-H, Second Year, Jackson County

Madelyn Fannin, FFA, First Year, Jackson County

Carter Freeman, Boy Scouts, Second Year, Franklin County

Olivia Haines, FFA,  First Year, Wayne County

GraceLynn Harter, 4-H, First Year, Darke County       

Marissa Johnston, Girl Scouts, Second Year, Delaware County

Julia Joos, Tech Ed, Second Year, Franklin County

Elsa Lapierre, Farm Bureau, First Year, Franklin County

Melina Matics, 4-H, Second Year, Washington County

Adrianna Meyer, Farm Bureau, Second Year, Henry County

Erica Patterson, At-Large, Second Year, Hancock County

Jayden Porter, Farm Bureau, First Year, Franklin County

Grace Robertson, At-Large, First Year, Adams County

Zach Romero, 4-H, Second Year, Hancock County

Emily Scaff, Secretary, At-Large, Second Year, Scioto County

Landon Shelpman, Vice President, FFA, Second Year, Clark County.
                                         
For more information, visit ohiostatefair.com, call 1-888-OHO-EXPO or 1-614-644-FAIR.