For 19 year-old Samantha Mozena of Adamsville, her final year of 4-H went out in style, complete with a sash and crown. 

She was named the fair queen for Muskingum County’s 173 Blue Ribbon Fair. 

The title allowed Mozena to reflect on all the ways 4-H has molded her over the past 14 years while she traveled between barns and events throughout the week, meeting and assisting some of the fair’s youngest participants. 

“The queen is representing the youth exhibit at the fair, so I think that it’s really important that I try my best to get to all the barns, even those I’m not showing in, to really show that I do care about them and that they are important,” said Mozena.

In doing so, Mozena was able to connect with some of her fellow 4-H members that she may have otherwise not met. 

She helped some of the Cloverbuds show their animals at the Pee Wee poultry and goat shows. 

“It’s really nice to get them inspired and get them excited about all the possibilities that they can do,” said Mozena. 

4-H has inspired Mozena, too. The Tri-Valley graduate is now studying at Ohio University Zanesville, where she has already achieved senior status through the college credits she earned in high school. 

“Before I joined 4-H, I couldn’t stand up and say my name in front of people that I did know, let alone people that I didn’t know, and through 4-H I’ve really grown and been able to talk to people, do public speaking events,” said Mozena. “I even decided to major in Communications.”