By AMBER PATINO
Holmes County youth made an outstanding showing at the Panhandle Youth Expo held on October 10 and 11 in Marianna, and at the National Peanut Festival held October 31 through November 8 in Dothan, Alabama, earning top honors across culinary, livestock, and creative categories. Students from Ponce de Leon High School’s culinary program impressed judges at the Peanut Festival, including first-place wins by Elizabeth Salmans (Candies), Peyton Webster (Cupcakes), and Konnor Wilkerson (Miscellaneous). Honorable mentions went to Emma Halford, Harly Green, Emma Stump, Trinity Knauber, Peyton Webster, and Aidan Davisson. In livestock and showmanship, Laura Mae Waters earned multiple grand champion titles in poultry and swine at both events. Kaylee Mae Brown, Kira Owens, Kaiya Owens, and KJ Owens swept categories in goat, lamb, and swine showmanship, with several earning reserve and grand champion honors. Cason and Cara Hayford, Lincoln and Jocelyn Brock, and Judson and Jetson Peel also brought home top awards in heifer, poultry, and craft divisions. Cara Grace Eldridge earned first place in pumpkin decorating. Pictured above is Jocelyn Brock, the Peanut Festival’s Intermediate Showmanship Winner. [CONTRIBUTED]
Staff Report 
Ali Moreland 