Coram homeschool student Sarah Johnson did well at the Northwest Montana Fair. Johnson, 16, was grand champion and judge’s choice in the fair’s photography contest for her photo of a yellowjacket insect. She also received reserve champion in the 4-H market goat category, reserve grand for her ceramics, and grand champion in 4-H photography. Johnson also crochets and embroiders.

Johnson has been involved with 4-H for 11 years and photography for 10 years, following in her shutterbug siblings’ footsteps. The youngest of four siblings, they were all born, raised, and homeschooled in the Flathead.

This was Johnson’s first year exhibiting goats, and her fifth or sixth year with hogs. She also works with rabbits and poultry.

She’s not sure yet if she’ll attend college or what she’ll choose as a career path, but science is her favorite subject.

Her favorite thing about 4-H is “probably all the animals.” Both 4-H and photography have taught her to slow down and pay attention to the little things.

“Photography teaches you to take it a little slower. And 4-H. You have to work at it for a while. You have to sit there and stay still,” she said.