Vermont Dairy 4-Hers bring home ribbons and respect from the Big E!

Vermont 4-H youth showcased their talents, dedication and prize livestock at the 2025 Eastern States Exposition, better known as The Big E, held in West Springfield, Massachusetts. They brought home enough ribbons to fill a milk can – or two.

Representing the Green Mountain State, these young leaders participated in a variety of competitions and exhibitions alongside peers. The Big E’s 4-H program welcomed over 2,500 youth from six New England states, offering a vibrant platform for collaboration and celebration of agricultural excellence. The Big E is the largest agricultural event on the East Coast and serves as a regional showcase for 4-H members aged 12 to 18.

“We are incredibly proud of our Vermont 4-H youth,” said Wendy Sorrell, State 4-H Livestock Educator, “Their achievements at The Big E reflect months of hard work, learning, and community engagement.”

The Livestock Program champions in the breed type categories were:

Ayrshire

• Bella Roell, Bristol VT – Fall Calf – 1^{st –} Junior & Grand Champion
• Emma Pothier, Newport Center, VT, — Spring Yearling Heifer, 4^th

Brown Swiss

• Tenly Chittenden, Whiting, VT – Winter Calf, 1^st
• Taryn Burns, Whiting, VT – Fall Calf, 2^nd
• Jordan Hutchins, N. Ferrisburgh, VT – Spring Yearling Heifer, 1^st, HM Junior Champion
• Noa Sauve, Colchester, VT – Winter Yearling Heifer, 2^nd, Reserve Junior and HM Grand Champion

Holstein

• Dawson Michaud, East Hardwick, VT, — Spring Calf, 1^st, HM Jr, Champion
• Talon Michaud, Greensboro, VT, –Spring Calf, 2^nd
• Kobe Rooney, Fairfax VT – Spring Calf, 3^rd
• Mya Marquis, Newport Center. VT – Spring Calf, 4^th
• Madalyn, East Montpelier, VT – Winter Calf, 1^st, Reserve Jr. Champion
• Steve Werner, East Hardwick, VT, Winter Calf, 3^rd
• Emmeline Paquet, East Montpelier, VT, Winter Calf, 4^th
• Eva Bury, Derby, VT, Winter Calf, 5^th
• Payton Lucas, Orwell, VT, Winter Calf, 7^th
• Carys Wood, East Montpelier, Fall Calf, 2^nd
• Katelyn Sibley, East Montpelier, Fall Calf, 3^rd
• Jayden Ploof, Panton, VT, Fall Calf, 6th
• Sloan Nelson, Derby VT, Winter Yearling Heifer, 2^nd
• Collin Chamberlin, Addison, VT Fall Yearling Heifer, 1^st, Jr and HM Grand Champion and Supreme Heifer
• Morgan Michaud, East Hardwick, VT Fall Yearling Heifer, 2^nd

Jersey

• Kylee Shepard, Panton, VT, Fall Calf, 3rd
• Lola Rollins, N. Ferrisburgh, VT, Summer Yearling Heifer, 1^st, Jr and HM Grand Champion
• Caroline Allen, Vergennes, VT, Winter Yearling Heifer, 1^st, Reserve Grand Champion
• Mackenzie Chase, Bristol, VT, Fall Yearling Heifer, 1^st,
• Hailey Chase, Bristol, VT, 3-Year-Old Cow, 1^st, SR and Grand Champion

Milking Shorthorn

• Ava Wood, Shoreham, VT, Winter Calf, 1^st

The Livestock Program Champions in the showmanship category winners were:

Jr. Showmanship A

• Nelson Sloan, Derby VT, 1^st, HM Champion Jr. Showmanship

• Caroline Allen, Vergennes, VT, 2^nd
• Talon Michaud, Greensboro, VT, 4^th
• Kylee Shepard, Panton, VT, 7^th

Jr. Showmanship B

• Dawson Michaud, East Hardwick, VT. Champ Jr. and HM Supreme Showman
• Collin Chamberlin, Addison, VT, 2^nd
• Emmeline Paquet, East Montpelier, VT, 4^th
• Emma Pothier, Newport Center, VT, 8^th

Jr. Showmanship C

• Payton Lucas, Orwell, VT, 3^rd
• Ava Wood, Shoreham, VT, 5^th

Jr. Showmanship D

• Tenley Chittenden, Whitting, VT, 3^rd
• Jordan Hutchins, N. Ferrisburgh, VT, 5^th
• Carys Wood, East Montpelier, VT, 6^th
• Mya Marquis, Newport Center, VT, 8^th

Jr. Showmanship E

• Katelyn Sibley, East Montpelier, VT, 3^rd
• Kobe Rooney, Fairfax, VT, 5^th
• Melody Niesiobedzki, Bristol, VT, 8^th

Sr. Showmanship A

• Mackenzie Chase, 9^th

Sr. Showmanship B

• Morgan Michaud, East Hardwick, VT, 1^st, HM Champ SR Showman,
• Madalyn Perry, East Montpelier, 2^nd
• Steve Werner, East Hardwick, VT, 3^rd
• Noa Sauve, Colchester, VT, 7^th

Sr. Showmanship C

• Lola Rollins, N. Ferrisburgh, VT, 1^st, Reserve Champion Jr and Reserve Overall Showman
• Hailey Chase, Bristol, VT, 9^th
• Jayden Ploof, Panton, VT, 10^th

Sr. Showmanship D

• Bella Roell, Bristol, VT, 1^st
• Eva Bury, Derby VT, 4^th
• Taryn Burns, Whiting VT, 6^th

Clipping Teams results

Junior Team placed first out of 4 teams

• Team members: Tenley Chittenden, Caroline Allen, and Emmeline Paquet

Senior Team placed second out of 4 teams.

• Team members: Taryn Burns, Jayden Ploof and Madalyn Perry

Vermont Quiz Bowl team placed first out of 5 teams.

• Team Members: Caroline Allen, Taryn Burns, Bryn Nelson and Bristol Card.
• Coaches; Judith Vaughan and Stacey Bowen

State Herds, Vermont won:

• Brown Swiss
• Holstein
• Jersey

(Dairy) General Knowledge Test (Top 10)

Juniors

1^st Caroline Allen

2^nd Tenley Chittenden

3^rd Jordan Hutchins

4^th Sloan Nelson (2-way tie)

10^th Emma Pothier (3-way tie)

Seniors

5^th Taryn Burns (2-way tie)

6^th Bristol Card (4-way tie)

7^th Mackenzie Chase (2-way tie)

Judging Teams

Vermont A Team

Brailey Livingston

Mackenzie Chase

Morgan Michaud

Vermont B Team

Dawson Michaud

Talon Michaud

Steven Werner

Emmeline Paquet

Vermont A Team placed First overall

Vermont B placed Fifth overall.

For more information about Vermont 4-H and upcoming dairy opportunities, visit https://www.uvm.edu/extension/youth