Dairy Bowl is a quiz bowl contest where the youth answer questions related to dairy cattle and the dairy industry, and are recognized on their placings, as individuals and as teams. The primary objective of the 4-H Dairy Bowl Contest is to provide an opportunity for 4-H youth to demonstrate their knowledge of dairy related subject matter in a competitive setting where attitudes of friendliness and fairness prevail. Dairy Bowl is an educational experience for both participants and spectators.

Teams from five Western New York counties competed in the beginner, junior, and senior levels on the day of competition. Chautauqua County 4-H had 16 participants compete on four teams in the contest. Ribbons were presented to the top 10 placing individuals and top scoring teams in each division. These were determined by the number of points each 4-H member earned overall and included all the participants in the event. The four highest scoring players within each division will move on to the state competition representing the western district. The junior and senior teams are scheduled to compete at Cornell University in April while the beginner team will compete at the state fair in August.

First place individual honors were achieved by Tyler Crowell of the Stockton Panthers 4-H Club in the Beginners Division and Dayne Jantzi of the Sherman Kountry Kids 4-H Club in the Senior Division.

In the Beginners Division, Team A received first place from among five teams with Tyler Crowell of the Stockton Panthers placing first individually along with team members Clara Carlberg, Frewsburg Hayseeds; Evan Mierzwa, Stockton Panthers; and Aubryn Runge, Stockton Panthers. The Beginners Team B received second place with Isabella Jones, Frewsburg Hayseeds, placing third individually; Westyn Breyer, Levant Live Wires, placing fourth individually; Owen Carlberg, Frewsburg Hayseeds, placing eighth individually; and Emelise Runge, Stockton Panthers.

Dayne Jantzi recently was awarded the first place senior award at the 4-H Western District Dairy Quiz Bowl contest.

In the Junior Division, the team achieved fifth place out of seven teams with Anna Carlberg, Frewsburg Hayseeds receiving ninth place individually along with team members Laine Carpenter, Frewsburg Hayseeds; Devon Centner, Stockton Panthers; and Anastasia Frederes, lone member from Falconer.

“I am so proud of these kids and their accomplishments,” said Shannon Carpenter, coach of the Beginner and Junior Division youth. “It has been a pleasure to watch them learn, work and grow together, as well as create lifelong friendships.”

In the Senior Division, the team placed second of among eight teams with team members Dayne Jantzi, Sherman Kountry Kids, placing first individually; along with team members Abigail Carlberg, Frewsburg Hayseeds; Cole Nickerson, lone member from Corry, Pa.; and Larsen Swan, lone member from Sherman.

“It was very rewarding to see how much the kids learned and grew in both knowledge and confidence from last year to this year,” said Anna and Dan Crowell, coaches of the Beginner and Junior Division youth. “At practices, the kids learn a lot as they prepare for competition, but also have a lot of fun and build friendships, which is important to have a healthy balance of both.”

Coaches are Mary Jantzi from Clymer, Shannon Carpenter from Falconer and Anna and Dan Crowell from South Dayton.

Sixteen 4-H Youth from Chautauqua County shared their knowledge and dairy quiz bowl skills at the recent Western District Dairy Bowl Contest. Submitted photos

“I love watching these kids work together,” said Mary Jantzi. “They are enthusiastic, and they have dedicated themselves to this. No individual places high in the rankings, without a strong team to back him or her with competitive practices and great team playing.”