Last week, a group of nine high school aged teens from around the county competed in the state-wide, talent based Utah State 4-H Contest on July 14-16 at Utah State University.

Of the nine 4-H organization members that competed in the event, four placed in one of the top three spots in each of their individual divisions. To the excitement of the group, every member of the county organization won a blue ribbon, which can only be awarded for the very highest quality of work, and placed in one of the competitions, some individually and others as a team.

In the instrumental talent portion of the contest, the top three spots were swept away by Tooele County teens, Sam Hancock, who won first place, Westin Pusey, taking second, and in third was Kamren Derrickson. Hancock impressed the judges with a rendition of “Skull Valley Blues”, a song that he himself composed and performed on the dobro, a type of guitar commonly played upon one’s lap.

Also winning a first place prize was Amberly Long, who made and entered a batch of Dutch Pepernoten cookies to the Ethnic Foods Competition.

Competing together as a team, Ashley Eccles, Reann Langston, Kaitlyn Gowans, and Tiffiny Langston took third place in ‘The Horse Bowl’, a game, similar to the popular show Jeopardy, based on factual questions about horses.

Eccles also competed and took first place in the ‘World of Work’ division, winning over judges by completing an outstanding job interview and presenting a picture perfect resumé.

Reann Langston also took home a blue ribbon from the Horse Demonstration division, as did Ebony Gascon with a piece of music that she signed in American Sign Language in the Variety Talent section. Derrickson also won a blue ribbon in the Impromptu Speaking category.

“They all did really, really well,” said Tooele County 4-H Agent, Stephen Sagers. “We were very pleasantly surprised with the way things turned out. They did a great job at representing Tooele County on the state level. Our group is definitely amongst the top in the state.”