Mission Valley Ranch Hands 4-H club members took the top two honors in Senior Beef Showmanship on Friday at the Lake County Fair in Ronan.

Sixteen-year-old Kyra Hendrickson and Megan Evelo, 14, know how much hard work it takes to show a champion. In very close competition, Hendrickson was the judge’s choice for grand champion while showing her heifer Etta. It was her second straight win in Senior Beef Showmanship, repeating her 2017 title.

In the meantime, Evelo showed her heifer Princess well enough to earn reserve champion honors. It’s her first year in the senior division; she showed the grand champion in the junior division at last year’s Lake County Fair.

Evelo explained that Princess comes from NILE Merit program. “You have to write an essay and make a video,” she said. “You help young kids and you have to start a herd (of cattle). You have to meet those requirements.”

According to Evelo, breeders across the United States donate animals to the NILE Merit program. This is Evelo’s first year with involvement in the program.