Fair Class of 2020

Today, we are highlighting, Madison Agen, a Senior at Kennewick High School. Madison is a member of Kennewick FFA, serving as Chapter Reporter. She has been showing pigs at the Benton Franklin Fair for 6 years. She said “each year is full of fun, hard work, learning experiences, and doing your best to improve each year.” When asked about her favorite fair memories, she said “each year holds special memories. I am a Senior Ambassador for the 509 show circuit and was very much looking forward to my senior year of showing around our area, including Benton Franklin Fair.” Madison is undecided on which school to attend in the fall, but plan to pursue a degree in the agricultural field.

Gracie Boyd is a senior at River View High School and a member of Benton-Franklin 4-H Surfin' Swine Club. Gracie has been showing pigs at the Benton Franklin Fair for 10 years. Over the years, she has also entered record books and sewing projects at the fair. When asked what her favorite fair memory is, she says "I have had so much fun showing at the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo. I love showing my pig, and will never forget all the friends I have made, spending the week in the pig barn." After graduation, Gracie plans on attending Columbia Basin College.

Julia Carrasco is a senior at Chiawana High School. She has shown with Benton-Franklin 4-H since she was nine years old. Julia also competed in FFA her sophomore year. Over the years, she has received many awards including grand champion horse showman four times, reserve grand champion two times, and reserve Round Robin FFA showman. In 2017, she was the timed event high point, and in 2019, the senior timed event high point. She has competed with many horses that she has owned and trained. Julia has also qualified and competed at state level multiple times. Julia says that the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo helped shape her into the person she is today. It also helped guide her to pursue a career as a livestock nutritionist and breeding quality livestock. Julia plans to continue her education at Montana Western University where she will get her bachelors in Natural Horsemanship.

Caitlyn Carter is a Senior at Kennewick High School and member of Kennewick High FFA. Caitlyn participated in Kennewick High FFA for all four years of high school starting in the Spring of 8th Grade. Caitlyn was FFA President, Treasurer and Reporter during her FFA career. She raised a pig for the fair each of those four years. Her first year she learned a lot of hard lessons about raising livestock including knowing the heartbreak of not making weight. Caitlyn took her passion for raising show pigs and everything she learned to win FFA Grand Champion Market Swine and FFA Grand Champion Fitting and Showing her next year. This was a huge accomplishment for her and one she won’t forget. In addition she ended her fair show career this past summer with one more FFA Grand Champion Market Swine win. Although her fair show career was short she loved every moment with the people and animals. Caitlyn plans on attending Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX this fall and majoring in Animal Science with an emphasis in Veterinary Medicine.

Dalton Chappel is a senior at Chiawana High School and a member of Benton-Franklin 4-H Tumbleweeds Club. Dalton has been showing at the Benton Franklin Fair for 7 years. For his first four years of showing, he raised rabbits and poultry as a member of 4-H. For the last three years, he has raised and shown Boer goats with his sisters. Dalton says, the experience taught him a lot about responsibility and he wouldn’t trade it for anything. His favorite lesson from the fair is learning to handle and show a goat while being 6’2” tall. After graduation, Dalton plans to attend Eastern Washington University and majoring in computer science.

Jade Frakes is a Senior at Kamikian High School and member of Benton-Franklin 4-H Rocking Arrow Club. Jade has been showing at the Benton Franklin Fair for 8 years. She is looking forward to showing an exceptional Barrow, named Peter Pan in some virtual shows while gearing up for the Fair. Jade's favorite experience at the Benton Franklin Fair was winning grand champion with her favorite pig named Bug. After graduation, Jade plans on attending Eastern and completing her dental hygienist degree.

Delaney Frame is a Senior at Kamiakin High School. She is a member of Kamiakin FFA as well as Boots and Buckles 4H club and has been showing at the Benton Franklin Fair for 8 years. Delaney started showing swine at the Benton Franklin Fair at 10 years old and fell in love with showing livestock and being a part of the agricultural community. She has now had the opportunity to show hogs all around the country at national shows and participated in clinics, like Next Level Livestock clinics. Delaney has also had multiple grand champions as well as reserves for both showmanship and market classes. Delaney says, "I am extremely grateful the Benton Franklin Fair gave me the passion for livestock and agriculture I have today." Her favorite memory is her first showmanship grand champion when she was 13 years old! Delaney plans on attending Arizona Christian University in the fall on an athletic scholarship for volleyball. She plans on majoring in Animal Science and minoring in Ag business.

Maeson Holst is a Senior at Connell High School and a member of Connell FFA. Maeson has shown swine for 9 years and has won numerous grand champion, reserve champion, as well as all around champion awards. When asked what the Benton Franklin Fair has taught him, he responded, "The fair has taught me so many things, working together makes work more fun and the work go faster. Our community is an amazing place to live as every year they continue to support 4-H and FFA." After graduation, Maeson plans on serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for two years. After his mission, he plans on attending BYU and pursuing a degree in engineering.

Journey Mackebon is a senior at Kennewick High School and a member of Benton-Franklin 4-H Just Kidding Club. Journey has been showing at the Benton Franklin Fair for 10 years. She works with her animals year round because she shows market goats and dairy. She has placed Reserve Grand Champion every year from the junior division up to the intermediate. During her senior class years, she placed Grand Champion and also Round Robin Champion in 2018. Journey loves constantly learning new facts about goats, she even keeps a notebook to study and learn from. When asked what her favorite fair memory is, she responded “My favorite memory is when I won Round Robin in 2016. I learned through the years of showing that if you work hard and put your heart and soul into something, you’ll eventually get to where you’re going.” After graduation, Journey would love to travel and plans on pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering.

Kraeton Waters is a Senior at Columbia-Burbank High School and a member of Benton-Franklin 4-H Windy Farm club. Kraeton began showing pigs at the Benton Frankin Fair 9 years ago. He showed pigs for a couple of years, then began showing steers. He has shown steers ever since and says he loves it all! When asked about his favorite Fair lesson, he says, "Over all the years, I would have to say it is the friends I’ve made and the similar interests we have." After graduation, Kraeton plans on going to CBC and working in agriculture, so he can be outside.

Mary Weis is a senior at Chiawana High School and a member of Benton-Franklin 4-H Lazy Lopers Club. Mary has been showing horses at the Benton Franklin Fair for 4 years. She has been showing her horse Cheyenne, an 18 year old Morgan, since she first got her in 2014. Mary says, Cheyenne is her heart horse, she’s such a fun mare. They have continued to grow together in their showing career and she is excited to keep learning and growing. Mary’s favorite fair memory was last year when she earned Champion in her senior showmanship class and qualified for Round Robin. She said it was such a fun experience. This fall, Mary plans on attending Columbia Basin College and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communication.