Staff report

CANFIELD — The 2025 Mahoning County Junior Fair King and Queen will be crowned at the Canfield Fair during the Youth Day Ceremony at 2 p.m. Thursday on the Junior Fair stage in front of the Event Center.

The Mahoning County Junior Fair Royalty Contest recognizes outstanding youth who are passionate about promoting all aspects of the Mahoning County Junior Fair Program. To be eligible, contestants must be active members of at least one of the seven youth organizations participating in the fair — 4-H, Future Farmers of America, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Camp Fire, Farm Bureau or Grange — and be between the ages of 15 and 18 as of Jan. 1, 2025.

These finalists exemplify leadership, communication, collaboration, creativity, service, and confidence — skills they have developed through their participation in youth organizations. They serve as mentors to younger members, promote the Junior Fair throughout the county and strive to “make the best better” in all areas of their lives, according to a news release from the Junior Fair.

NICK ANGIULI

Nick, 17, is a senior at Western Reserve High School and the son of Ralph and Sue Angiuli of Canfield. A 4-H member for three years, he belongs to the Western Reserve Rangers and has represented Mahoning County at the Ohio State Fair with projects in welding, STEM, and food and nutrition.

He is also involved in the Boy Scouts, where he was a member for three years. Nick is active in community service, volunteering with projects such as Mill Creek Park cleanups, concession stands, fair information booths, placing flags on veterans’ graves, and preparing eggs for local Easter egg hunts.

At school, Nick participates in marching, concert, jazz, and pep bands, as well as drama club, track and cross country, academic challenge, student council, and National Honor Society. He hopes to inspire more youth to get involved in 4-H and Junior Fair, serving as both a mentor and leader to younger members.

CAITLIN BLANKENSHIP

Caitlin, 17, is a senior at Springfield Local High School and the daughter of Bruce and Mary Beth Blankenship of New Middletown. A 4-H member for 11years, she serves as president of the Mahoning County Llama Club, assistant secretary of the Country Kids & Kritters 4-H Club, and is also active on the Mahoning County Nutrition and Fashion Board and Junior Fair Board. Caitlin has represented Mahoning County at the Ohio State Fair in numerous project areas, earning top honors such as first-place clock trophies in Food & Nutrition, STEM, and Natural Resources, as well as multiple Outstanding of the Day awards.

Beyond 4-H, Caitlin gives back to her community through service projects such as helping at Table of Plenty, building birdhouses for local parks, and making fleece tie blankets for Mahoning County Children Services. At school, she is involved in band, academic challenge, softball, student council, and National Honor Society. Inspired by past members of the Royal Court, Caitlin hopes to set the same positive example for others and share her love of the fair with future generations.

WILLIAM ‘MASON’ BROWN

Mason, 16, is a junior at West Branch High School and the son of Christopher and Christine Brown of Salem. A 10-year 4-H member and nine-year Grange member, Mason belongs to the Mahoning County Barnstormers 4-H Club, where he serves as vice president. His project work focuses on market lambs and rabbits, and he was honored as the Mahoning County Sheep and Wool Ambassador in both 2022 and 2023. Mason is also an active member of the Mahoning County Junior Fair Board and is a Camp Whitewood counselor.

At West Branch, Mason participates in marching, concert, jazz, and pep bands, football, Young & Alive Show Choir, concert choir, honors bands, and school musicals. His many community service efforts include Wreaths for Veterans, Environmental Club, Community, Food & Fellowship, Ruriteens, Educators Rising, playing Taps at veterans’ funerals and remembrance services, and serving as lead videographer for Salem First Methodist Church. Mason strives to be a positive role model and hopes to help youth discover the many opportunities 4-H and Junior Fair provide for growth, leadership and future success.

EVELYN COLLIER

Evelyn, 19, is a 2024 graduate of Western Reserve High School, where she was valedictorian and senior class vice president. This past spring, she completed training at Raphael’s School of Beauty to become a licensed advanced esthetician and manicurist, and she serves as the Western Reserve High School Color Guard coach. She is the daughter of Brian and Denise Collier of Berlin Center.

An 11-year member of the Western Reserve Rangers 4-H Club, Evelyn is serving her fifth term as club president. Her project areas include sewing, textiles and creative arts, and she has represented Mahoning County numerous times at the Ohio State Fair. She has earned Outstanding of the Day honors for sewing projects, received the Ohio Master Clothing Educators Award, and was recognized locally with the Best Project Book and Wool Award at the Mahoning County Style Revue. Evelyn also serves on the Ohio 4-H Fashion Board, the Mahoning County Nutrition and Fashion Board, and has previously been a member of both the 4-H Royal Court and Mahoning County Junior Fair Royalty.

Evelyn is dedicated to community service, volunteering with Wreaths for Veterans, the Western Reserve Easter egg hunt, card-making projects for veterans, and toy-making for animals at Angels for Animals. In high school, she was active in academic challenge, National Honor Society, Buckeye Girls State, cross country, track and field, marching band, color guard, jazz band, pep band, choir, and drama club. She also shares her talents with her church by volunteering at the Amazing Grace Food Pantry and playing music in services. Evelyn credits 4-H with helping her grow as a person and hopes to encourage other youth to discover the same opportunities for growth and success.

ZOEY DOUGLAS

Zoey, 19, is a freshman at the University of Findlay, where she is studying animal science and pre-veterinary medicine. She is a recent graduate of the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center and the daughter of Keith and Charlene Douglas of New Springfield.

A nine-year member of the Dirty Boots-Country Roots 4-H Club, Zoey has shown market beef throughout her 4-H career. She also serves on the Mahoning County Junior Fair Board, where she has held the role of news reporter. In 2024, she was honored with the Darrel Bacon and Tom Koch Memorial Scholarships.

In high school, Zoey was active in softball, Key Club, Drug Free Club, and band, and she continues her involvement at the University of Findlay as a member of the show cattle team. Her community service work includes volunteering at the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, organizing donations of necessities and shoes for those in need, and helping with cleanup projects at a Boy Scout camp in Findlay.

Zoey believes 4-H and Junior Fair provide lifelong skills and hopes to encourage more youth to participate and benefit from the knowledge and opportunities the program offers.

CADENCE ELFORD

Cadence, 19, is a freshman at Kent State University, where she is studying business management and international business. She is a 2025 graduate of Canfield High School and the daughter of Michael and Katie Elford of Canfield.

A member of the Mahoning County Pocket Pets 4-H Club, Cadence is also active in Girl Scouts, where she has been involved for 11 years. Through Girl Scouts, she earned the Brownie Summit Award, the Cookie Entrepreneur Award, and the My Promise / My Faith Award, and she mentors younger scouts at badge workshops and their annual Camporee. Cadence also serves on the Mahoning County Junior Fair Board.

In high school, she was a member of the golf team, National Honor Society, Interact Club with the Canfield Rotary, and the Ski & Snowboarding Club. Her community service activities include collecting food, supplies, and toys for local dog pounds, volunteering at the Mahoning Valley Rescue Mission, and helping repair the softball field at Mount Olivet Church. Cadence hopes to serve as a positive role model and inspire other youth to believe in themselves and achieve their goals.

GRACE EWING

Grace, 17, is a senior at the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center, where she is studying welding and agriculture. She is the daughter of Rex and Amy Ewing of Canfield.

A 12-year 4-H member, Grace belongs to the Growing Traditions 4-H Club and serves as club president. She has also been a Girl Scout for 12 years and serves as treasurer of the Mahoning County Junior Fair Board. Her project areas include beef cows, beef feeders, dairy cows, goats, swine, poultry, and lambs.

In school, Grace was a 2025 inductee into the National Technical Honor Society, a member of Key Club, and a student council representative. She is active in community service, participating in food drives, making Valentine’s cards and caroling at nursing homes, and creating tie blankets for troops overseas. Grace strives to make the best better in all aspects of her life and hopes to help other youth engage in all areas of the Junior Fair — from agriculture projects to small projects and public speaking — so that everyone can find their place.

LANDON FRANK

Landon, 18, is a 2025 graduate of South Range High School and the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center. He plans to continue his education in industrial and sales engineering. He is the son of Tom and Collette Frank of Salem.

Landon is an 11-year 4-H member of the Blue Ribbon Wranglers 4-H Club, where he serves as club president. His project areas include hogs, lambs, feeder calves and public speaking. He represented Mahoning County at the Ohio State Fair in Individual Demonstration Speech and serves as vice president of the Mahoning County Junior Fair Board. Landon was also a member of the 2025 Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board and was elected vice president of the 2026 Ohio State Junior Fair Board.

Landon stays active in community service by volunteering with homeless communities, working with younger youth at his church, and supporting local church projects. He hopes to serve as a role model and inspiration to younger Junior Fair members, showing them that their hard work will pay off and encouraging them to reach their goals.

ASHLYNN MASON

Ashlynn, 17, is a senior at West Branch High School and the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, where she is in the pre-nursing program and earned her Certified Nursing Assistant license. She plans to continue her studies at Malone University to become a nurse. Ashlynn is the daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth Mason of Salem and serves as president of the Rowdy Roosters 4-H Club.

She has been a 4-H member for seven years and was selected for the 2024 Junior Fair Royalty. Her project areas include rabbits, workforce management, leadership, natural resources and healthy living. She has represented Mahoning County at the Ohio State Fair in multiple projects, earning Outstanding of the Day in 2025 for her Medicine Science & Safety Project. Ashlynn also serves as news reporter on the Mahoning County Junior Fair Board.

Active in her church, Ashlynn volunteers regularly and participates in community service projects such as the Western Reserve Easter egg hunt, visiting nursing home residents, a Chicago mission trip with her youth group, and volunteering at Clothed in Righteousness in Alliance. Ashlynn hopes to continue helping others and serve as a role model for youth, encouraging them to overcome challenges, grow, and find a sense of belonging and purpose through 4-H.

ABBIE MELLOTT

Abbie Mellott, 18, is a recent graduate of West Branch High School and a freshman at Laurel Technical Institute, where she was accepted into the Cardiovascular Technology program. She is the daughter of Roger and Mandi Mellott of Salem.

Abbie is a 13-year 4-H member and president of the Goshen Good Growers 4-H Club. Through showing her steers in 4-H and Junior Fair, she has grown as a showman, leader and member of the agricultural community. In 2024, she competed in the Showman of Showmen Competition and has earned Reserve Champion Market Steer three times. Abbie also serves as secretary of the Mahoning County Junior Fair Board.

Abbie is active in community service, helping at the Bunker Hill Tractor Pulls, maintaining a local cemetery, assisting with food drives, creating care packages, serving community meals and traveling to Tennessee for hurricane relief. She hopes to give back to the program that has given her so much and be a positive role model, encouraging youth to get involved, support one another, and make the fair a welcoming and inspiring experience for everyone.

BROOKLYN STOUFER

Brooklyn, 16, is a junior at West Branch High School and the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center, where she is in the pre-nursing program. She is the daughter of Jeremy and Hannah McLain of Salem.

A 4-H member for eight years, Brooklyn belongs to the Final Drive 4-H Club and serves as club president. She is also a member of the Mahoning County Junior Fair Board. Her project areas include lambs, goats, ducks, and dairy feeder calves.

In school, Brooklyn participates in FFA, wrestling, track and is a majorette. She volunteers for the Western Reserve egg hunt, concession stands, cemetery cleanup and food drives. Brooklyn is committed to making a difference in her community and hopes to be a role model for other youth, encouraging them to participate fully and helping make the fair a great experience for all.

CHANNING TOY

Channing, 19, is a freshman at Wilmington College, where she is studying biology and environmental science. She is the daughter of Karl and Kristin Toy of Salem.

A 12-year 4-H member of the Buckeye Bunny Bunch 4-H Club, Channing’s project areas include clothing and textiles, food and nutrition, healthy living, STEM, leadership, natural resources and dog projects. She has represented Mahoning County at the Ohio State Fair in multiple project areas and serves on the Mahoning County Junior Fair Board.

At Wilmington College, Channing participates in softball, equestrian, and the Faith in Action Club. In high school, she earned scholar athlete awards, team MVP, offensive player of the year, Golden Glove Award, Lady Quaker Award, and broke three school records. She also received EBC all-conference honorable mention. Channing is active in her church and community, singing with the praise team, volunteering at a local animal charity, making cookies for police officers, and supporting local fundraisers. She hopes to share the skills and values she has learned through 4-H with other youth, empowering them to make a difference in their lives and communities.

VALERIE WEIKART

Valerie, 17, is a senior at Springfield High School and the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center, where she is in the cosmetology program. She is the daughter of Bob and Carla Weikart of New Middletown.

Valerie has been a 4-H member for 12 years and serves as president of the Country Kids & Kritters 4-H Club. She is also a member of the Mahoning County Junior Fair Board. Her project areas include rabbits, poultry, market steers, and pocket pets such as guinea pigs.

In school, Valerie participates in softball and was a member of the prom court. She volunteers for the community food box at New Springfield Zion Church, makes blankets for nursing home residents, constructs birdhouses for the park, and collects supplies for Akron Children’s Hospital. Valerie hopes to mentor and serve as a role model for younger youth, helping them learn about animal care and the importance of giving back to their community.

STELLA ZIPPAY

Stella, 16, is a junior at West Branch High School and the daughter of Dan and Andrea Zippay of North Benton.

A 10-year 4-H member, Stella belongs to the Next Generation 4-H Club and is serving her third term as club president. She is also active in West Branch FFA, serving as a chapter officer, Ag Communications CDE coach, and editor of the Rural Rundown chapter newspaper. Her project areas include swine, poultry, healthy living, food & nutrition, sewing, shooting sports, and natural resources. Stella has represented Mahoning County at the Ohio State Fair in many project areas, earning top honors including first-place clock trophies in food and nutrition and clothing, as well as many Outstanding of the Day awards.

Stella has been a Camp Whitewood and Cloverbud Camp counselor and participates in marching, concert, jazz, and pep bands, choir, school musicals, and academic challenge. She helped revive the West Branch Ruriteens program and became the first female member of the Goshen Center Ruritan Club. Her community service includes Wreaths for Veterans, the Easter egg hunt, food pantry support, and donating over 100 sunflowers from her FFA business to a local nursing home. Stella hopes to serve as a role model for younger youth, teaching confidence, respect, commitment, and hard work, while encouraging kindness and positivity in her community.