Youth Scholarship Contest
Contest Chair: Kari Sponaugle - Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Highland & Bath County
Contact Information: karis@vt.edu Office - 540-468-2225
VAF Board Member Representative: Sarah “Essie” Berry, Secretary
Contest Location: Virginia Association of Fairs Conference
Williamsburg Lodge, 310 South England Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Date: January 16, 2027 – Contest starts at 9 a.m.
Eligibility: For youth ages 14-19 as of January 1, 2027 who are active participants in a VAF-member fair or festival. Youth can participate more than once if they do not win first place. (See general rules.)
Application Deadline: 1st Friday of December (December 4, 2026)
Mail to: VCE-Highland Attn: Kari Sponaugle, P.O. Box 528, Monterey, VA 24465
(For FedEx: 83 Highland Center Drive, Monterey, VA 24465) - No faxes or e-mails. Late or incomplete entries will not be accepted.
Ag It Up Poster Contest
Contest Goal: Create an eye appealing, educational poster that showcases agriculture at your fair.
Contest is for eligible youth ages 9 to 13 as of January 1, 2027.
Deadline: November 1, 2026.
Contest Chair: John Mosesso
Contact Information: 703-501-5066 / jamosesso24@gmail.com
WILLIAMSBURG, VA – The 2026 Virginia Association of Fairs (VAF) hosted their annual fair and festival conference January 8-11, 2026 at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, VA. During the conference, the annual VAF Youth Leadership Scholarship Contest was held for youth ages 14-19 who participated in their local fairs and festivals during the 2025 fair season. Participants have a chance to earn a portion of over $10,000 in post-secondary education scholarships through this contest. Nine youth attended and competed in this year’s scholarship contest. Prior to arrival, youth apply with a letter of reference from their fair or festival, a resume and essay. On January 10th, participants gave a digital presentation on a pre-assigned topic and then participated in three additional contest components – an interview, prepared speech and an extemporaneous speech on a topic received that morning.
Contest finalists were:
1st place – Rachel Haile, Caroline County Ag Fair
2nd place – Keegan Shannon, Isle of Wight County Fair
3rd place – John Mason Haile, Caroline County Ag Fair
4th place – Sedona Sifford, State Fair of VA
5th place – Kyle Evans, State Fair of VA
6th place – Laurel Armstrong, Rockingham County Fair
7th place – Peter C Menuey
8th place – Leslie Linton, Fauquier Fair
9th place – Rachel DeBoer, Madison County Fair
Youth have until their 23rd birthday to claim their scholarships. Youth who do not win first place can compete again, until they reach age 19. Placings were also announced during the VAF Gala Dinner on Saturday night during the conference.
For additional information about this contest, contact Kari Sponaugle, VAF Youth Leadership Scholarship Contest Chair at karis@vt.edu or 540-468-2225. The 2027 VAF Conference will be January 14-17th at Williamsburg Lodge. Encourage youth involved with local VAF-member fairs and festivals to participate in next year’s scholarship competition.
2026 Poster Contest Winners
1st place - Amelia Hopkins, Loudoun County Fair
2nd place - McKinlee Bracy, Isle of Wight County Fair
3rd place - Aubrey Newland, Shenandoah County Fair
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.