Ellen Olson takes supreme champion gilt at Illinois State Fair

[August 18, 2010]  SPRINGFIELD -- Ellen Olson of the Topper 4-H club in Logan County began shaking as the judge came over the loudspeaker during the champion drive of the Illinois State Fair gilt show. However, as soon as the judge began talking about her crossbred gilt, she was sure to know that all of her hard work and dedication to showing pigs definitely paid off.

"The best lesson I have learned from raising livestock is responsibility and hard work," Ellen said.

She has been showing for 12 years and it is very much a family tradition for the Olsons. "It's great to go out with a win since this is my final year as a 4-H member; it feels bittersweet," she said.

Ellen served as the 2009-2010 Section 14 FFA president, is a member of the National Honor Society and plays volleyball. She plans to attend Lake Land College before transferring to Western Illinois University to major in animal sciences. She is the daughter of John and Ann Olson.

[Text from file received]