The barns were bustling on Kids Day at the 2025 Mercer County Fair, and among the young exhibitors proudly showing their animals was 4-H member Hannah Sell of Eliza, Illinois. Representing the Joy Eliza Ag 4-H group, Hannah was all smiles as she showed off her sheep, Patsy—named after the legendary country singer Patsy Cline.
Hannah explained that show day starts early, with plenty of washing, brushing, and feeding to get Patsy ring-ready. The crossbred ewe looked pristine in her pen, calmly standing despite the usual sheep chatter in the barn.
“When they hear the feed pens banging, that’s when they get rowdy,” Hannah laughed, adding that while the animals are usually quiet at night, feeding time brings a burst of noise and excitement.
After the morning show, Hannah was looking forward to enjoying the rides and fun of Kids Day. She says she hopes to one day become a NICU nurse, moving from caring for animals to caring for newborn babies.
Bright, hardworking, and full of ambition, Hannah Sell is a shining example of the next generation of leaders growing up through 4-H.