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While over-the-top foods and impressive crop art get all the attention at the Minnesota State Fair, there are tons of competitions showcasing all kinds of talent. Here’s a list of some of our local winners, including the green thumb of Timothy Roatch who secured 17 first place ribbons, the best-in-class win from Cohen Berndt (pictured above), and Minneapolis Institute of Art crop art selection by Stephanie Schempp.
You can find full competition results from at the Minnesota State Fair website.
Education: Individual Exhibits – K thru 3
Kindergarten: Drawing, markers – 1st place – Charlotte Weber at Twin Lakes Elementary from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 1: Drawing, markers – 3rd place – Louie Engel at Pine Bend Elementary from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 1: Drawing, colored pencils – 4th place – Louie Engel at Pine Bend Elementary from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 3: Painting – acrylic, oil – 3rd place – Isabelle Doughty at Nativity of Our Lord from Mendota Heights
Grade 3: Collages and two-dimensional paper projects – paper, tissue paper, fabric and mixed
media – 1st place – Isabelle Doughty at Nativity of Our Lord from Mendota Heights
Education: Individual Exhibits – 4 thru 6
Grade 4: Drawing, mixed media – 3rd place – Adrienne Everest at Somerset Heights Elementary from West St. Paul
Grade 4: Clay, original potter’s wheel – 2rd place – Adrienne Everest at Somerset Heights Elementary from West St. Paul
Grade 5: Drawing, crayon – 4th place Kellen Kearney at Kaposia Education Center from South St. Paul
Grade 5: Needlework projects, knitting, stitchery, crocheting, needlepoint – 4th place – Annalise Fenske at Kaposia Elementary from South St. Paul
Grade 6: Sewing, clothing, quilts, pillows – 1st place – Callie Frank at Dakota Hills Middle School from Inver Grove Heights
Special Ed Grade 6: Drawing, pencil – 4th place – Holden Hite at Spero Academy from Inver Grove Heights
Education: Individual Exhibits – 7 thru 9
Grade 7: Original stories – 1st place – Abby Parish at Hill-Murray School from West St. Paul
Grade 7: Drawing, pencil – 4th place – Will Neuville at Trinity School at River Ridge from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 7: Drawing, charcoal – 3rd place – Elise McGrane at Dakota Hills Middle School from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 7: Drawing, mixed media – 3rd place – Elise McGrane at Dakota Hills Middle School from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 7: Drawing, colored pencil – 1st place – Will Neuville at Trinity School at River Ridge from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 7: Sculpture – wire, papier-mâché, plaster of Paris, non-fired clay, masks – 1st place – Giana Uebel at Inver Grove Heights Middle School from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 7: Needlework projects – crocheting, knitting, needlepoint, stitchery – 4th place – Paige Keogh at Visitation from Sunfish Lake
Grade 8: Painting, watercolor – 1st place – Jackson Kruger at Friendly Hills Middle School from Mendota Heights
Grade 8: Grand prize – 1st place – Jackson Kruger at Friendly Hills Middle School from Mendota Heights
Grade 9: Sewing, clothing, quilts, pillows – 2nd place – Ellie Parish at Hill-Murray School from West St. Paul
Education: Individual Exhibits – 10 thru 12
Grade 11: Sculpture – wire, papier-mâché, plaster of Paris, non-fired clay, masks – 4th place – Ellie Schirmer at St. Croix Lutheran from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 11: Clay, original, potter’s wheel – 1st place – Ellie Schirmer at St. Croix Lutheran from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 11: 3D projects, puppets, mobiles – 1st place – Ellie Schirmer at St. Croix Lutheran from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 12: Drawing, markers – 1st place – Yeimi Suarez Bonilla at Simley High School from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 12: Drawing, mixed media – 2nd place – Yeimi Suarez Bonilla at Simley High School from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 12: Drawing, pencil – 4th place – Magdalene Meyer at Home School from West St. Paul
Grade 12: Mosaics – tile, glass, stones, stained glass – 1st place – Yeimi Suarez Bonilla at Simley High School from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 12: Painting – mixed media – painting combined with one other medium (e.g. markers,
tissues, glue, chalk, etc.) – 3rd place – Yeimi Suarez Bonilla at Simley High School from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 12: Sculpture – wire, papier-mâché, plaster of Paris, non-fired clay, masks – 1st place – Caden Grossman at St. Croix Lutheran Academy from Harris
Education: Technology Education
Grades 4-6: Photography – nature and outdoors: black and white or color – 1st place – Sully Berndt at Heritage from West St Paul
Grades 4-6: Woodworking, not furniture – 5th place – Emmet Wright at Dakota Hills Middle School from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 9: Photography – people/portrait: black and white or color – 1st place – Cohen Berndt at Two Rivers High School from West St Paul
Grade 10: Group projects, FTC robotics – 1st place – Gabe Caulkins at Eagan High School from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 11: Group projects: FRC robotics mechanical – 1st place – Rishik Nandyala at Eagan High School from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 11: Photography – nature and outdoors: black and white or color – 4th place – Ellie Schirmer at St. Croix Lutheran from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 11: Photography – landscape/cityscape: black and white or color – 3rd place – Ellie Schirmer at St. Croix Lutheran from Inver Grove Heights
Grade 12: Group projects, FRC robotics electrical – 3rd place – Eric Bergquist at Two Rivers High School from Shoreview
Grade 12: Photography – people/portrait: black and white or color – 2nd place – Caden Grossman at St. Croix Lutheran Academy from Harris
Grade 12: Photography – animal: black and white or color – 4th place – Caden Grossman at St. Croix Lutheran Academy from Harris
Grade 12: Photography – nature and outdoors: black and white or color – 3rd place – Caden Grossman at St. Croix Lutheran Academy from Harris
Grade 12: Photography – landscape/cityscape: black and white or color – 3rd place – Caden Grossman at St. Croix Lutheran Academy from Harris
Grade 12: General metals: sheet/machining/welding – 1st place – Caden Grossman at St. Croix Lutheran Academy from Harris
Grade 12: Woodworking, not furniture – 2nd place – Caden Grossman at St. Croix Lutheran Academy from Harris
Sweepstakes, Group projects FRC robotics – 1st place – Rishik Nandyala at Eagan High School from Inver Grove Heights
Sweepstakes, Technology and Engineering Exhibits – 1st place – Cohen Berndt at Two Rivers High School from West St Paul
(Photos by Andy Berndt)
Ag-Hort-Bee: Honey & Bee Culture
Counted Cross Stitch: Creative Bee Artwork and Photography – 2nd place – Deanna Vilendrer of Inver Grove Heights
Counted Cross Stitch: Creative Bee Artwork and Photography – 5th place – Brooke Hipsher of Mendota Heights
Round Comb Sections: Comb Section Honey – 2nd place – Niki Gores of Inver Grove Heights
Quilt or Quilted Wall Hanging: Creative Bee Artwork and Photography – 3rd place – Deanna Vilendrer of Inver Grove Heights
Collection of honey pots or other bee and honey related collectibles: Collections – 1st place – Deanna Vilendrer of Inver Grove Heights
Chiffon or Sponge Cake: Unfrosted Honey Cake – 4th place – Jenny McElroy of South Saint Paul
Crop Art & Scarecrow
Crop Art: Minneapolis Institute of Art Award – Special Award – Stephanie Schempp of West St Paul
Crop Art: Artistic Novice – 3rd place – Bethany Nagan of Inver Grove heights
Scarecrow: Scarecrow, organization or team – 4th place – Heather Friedli of Saint Paul
Scarecrow: Senior Citizen Age 60 and Up – 2nd place – Janine Joseph of Mendota Heights
Ag-Hort-Bee: Flowers
If I Could Go Anywhere, Grades K-3: Junior Artistic – 1st place – Cecilia Tomaselli at Somerset Elementary School from West St. Paul
If I Could Go Anywhere, Grades K-3: Junior Artistic – 2nd place – Genevieve Tomaselli at Somerset Elementary School from West St. Paul
If I Could Go Anywhere, Grades 4-6: Junior Artistic – 1st place – Theodore Tomaselli at Somerset Elementary School from West St. Paul
Marriage Equality: Interpretive Creative Designs – 3rd place – Jessica Tomaselli of West St. Paul
Remember the Alamo: Interpretive Creative Designs – 3rd place – Jessica Tomaselli of West St. Paul
New Orleans Jazz: Interpretive Creative Designs – 4th place – Marilee Votel-Kvaal of Mendota Heights
Perennials: Hydrangea – 5th place – Jeffrey Shandorf of Mendota Heights
Vegetables
Vegetables Group 1: Carrots, Small – 1st place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 1: Ground Cherries – 1st place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 1: Tomatoes, Paste – 1st place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 1: Tomatoes, Grape – 1st place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 1: Tomatoes, Plum, Red, or Yellow – 1st place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 1: Tomatoes, Small Heirloom Type – 2nd place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 1: Tomatillo – 1st place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Braided Garlic, Onion Ropes & Pepper Ristra: Pepper Ristra – 1st place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Container Gardens: Pepper Garden – 1st place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Container Gardens: Eggplant Garden – 2nd place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Container Gardens: Okra Garden – 2nd place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Cucumbers, Lemon Type – 1st place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Cucumbers, Any Other Type, 1 1/4 Inch or Smaller – 1st place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Cucumbers, Any Other Type, 1 1/2 Inch or Longer – 1st place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Peppers, Poblano – 1st place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Peppers, Sweet, Cubanelle Type – 1st place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Peppers, Heart-Shaped, Pimento Type – 4th place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Peppers, Tomato Type – 3rd place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Peppers, Small Cherry Type – 1st place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Peppers, hot Anaheim chile type – 1st place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Peppers, jalapeño type – 4th place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Peppers, long cayenne type, large – 2nd place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Peppers, long cayenne type, small – 2nd place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Peppers, small hot, large – 4th place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Peppers, small hot, small – 2nd place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Peppers, Thai, large – 3rd place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Peppers, Thai, small – 4th place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Peppers, habanero or Scotch bonnet – 1st place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Vegetables Group 2: Peppers, serrano type – 2nd place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Baked Products
International baking: International baking, cookies – including rosettes, polvorones, nankhatai, etc. – 4th place – Angela Dzik of Mendota Heights
Special contest: Blue Ribbon Group “Savory Scone Contest” – 3rd place – Angela Dzik of Mendota Heights
Cookies and bars: Creative chocolate chip – 3rd place – Jennifer McCambridge of Inver Grove Heights
Professional baking: Professional creative cookie or bar – 4th place – Maggie Engel of Inver Grove Heights
Bread, quick: Scones – 1st place – Jenny McElroy of South Saint Paul
Cake, egg: Chiffon – 4th place – Jenny McElroy of South Saint Paul,
Cookies and bars: Dark, rolled flat – 2nd place – Kristine Nitti of South Saint Paul
Dried items: Dried vegetables – 1st place – Timothy Roatch of West St. Paul
Fruits: Fruit syrup, single fruit, just liquid – 4th place – Maria Buhl of Inver Grove Heights
Jellies: Cherry jelly – 3rd place – Maria Buhl of Inver Grove Heights
Jellies: Crab apple jelly – 2nd place – Shari Taylor Wilsey of Sunfish Lake
Jellies: Not otherwise specified jelly (label flavor) – 3rd place – Shari Taylor Wilsey of Sunfish Lake
Jams: Multi-fruit combinations jam, with no spice or flavorings (label fruit used) – 2nd place – Jennifer Soler of Inver Grove Heights
Jams: Fruit with heat or spice coming from peppers jam (label fruit and peppers used) – 3rd place – Stuart Wood of South St. Paul
Jams: Multi-fruit combinations jam, with no spice or flavorings (label fruit used) -1st place – Jenene Drentlaw of South St. Paul
Relishes/sauces: Barbecue sauce, not otherwise specified (label flavor) – 2nd place – Shari Taylor Wilsey of Sunfish Lake
Creative Activities: Garment Making
Adult garments: Ensemble (dress & jacket/coat or skirt & jacket/coat) – 2nd place – Callie Delacruz of West St. Paul
Adult garments: Blazer, lined or unlined – 2nd place – Denise Schwanz of Mendota Heights
Infant and toddler garments: Afghan, knit, no larger than 42 in. x 42 in. – 3rd place – Mary Rose of Mendota Heights
Creative Activities: Handcrafts
Basketry: Basketry, coiled – 4th place – Samantha Pieper of West St. Paul
Decorative crafts: Beadwork, not otherwise specified – 4th place – Dwight Rabuse of Mendota Heights
Decorative crafts: Needlewoven beadwork, 3D object – 4th place – Kelaine Haas of South Saint Paul
Wood Carving and Whittling: Carving, any other bird – 2nd place – Thomas Kerr of Inver Grover Heights
Wood Carving and Whittling: Walking stick or cane – 4th place – Mark Nicholson of Inver Grove Heights
Wood Carving and Whittling: Judge’s Class – 1st place – Thomas Kerr of Inver Grover Heights
Metalwork: Silversmithing – 2nd place – Mark Nicholson of Inver Grove Heights
Rugs: International or historically inspired rug – 1st place – Helen Stoerzinger of Inver Grove Heights
Hand-spun yarn: Hand-spun yarn – 100% wool fiber (sheep) – 2nd place – Karen Paone of Inver Grove Heights
Loom weaving, felting: Loom weaving, stole or shawl – 1st place – Helen Stoerzinger of Inver Grove Heights
Loom weaving, felting: Wall hanging, woven, other than tapestry – 4th place – Helen Stoerzinger of Inver Grove Heights
Models: Replica, scale model – 3rd place – Suzy Naschansky of South St. Paul
Models: Not otherwise specified – 1st place – Gregory Lehman of South St. Paul
Soft toys: Toy animal type (imaginary/mythical character, unicorn, dinosaur, dragon, etc.) knit or
crocheted, made by exhibitor – 3rd place – Jessica Smith of Inver Grove Heights
Creative Activities: Needlecraft
Canvas Work (needlepoint): Christmas stocking – 2nd place – Debby Fulton of West St Paul
Canvas Work (needlepoint): Counted specialty stitches on canvas or congress cloth, smaller than 80 sq. in -2nd place – Nancy Fulton of West Saint Paul
Canvas Work (needlepoint): Picture, framed, 50 sq. in.-120 sq. in. – 1st place – Marna Schield of Inver Grove Heights
Counted Cross-Stitch: PIllow – 1st place – Janet Hawn of Mendota Heights
Counted Cross-Stitch: Picture, framed, 25 sq. in.-50 sq. in. – 2nd place – Linda Keith of South Saint Paul
Crotched, Knitted, or tatted: Table runner or centerpiece, lace entire, handmade – 2nd place – Mary Fischbach of Mendota Heights
Crotched Articles: Lap robe, 1444 sq. in. – 2699 sq. in., made in modules – 4th place – Alanna Ladd of Inver Grove Heights
Crotched Articles: Afghan, one piece, one color (variegated yarn = one color), no texture or fisherman
crochet stitches – 1st place – Alanna Ladd of Inver Grove Heights
Crotched Articles: Afghan, made of strips – 3rd place – Alanna Ladd of Inver Grove Heights
Crotched Articles: Afghan, mosaic style, either inset or overlay style – 2nd place – Joan Myers of Inver Grove Heights
Crotched Articles: Bag or purse – 5th place – Joan Myers of Inver Grove Heights
Crotched Articles: Household decor – 5th place – Alanna Ladd of Inver Grove Heights
Embroidery and Crewel: Silk and metal work – 1st place – Nancy Fulton of West Saint Paul
Embroidery and Crewel: Embroidered item other than listed above – 1st place – Clarice Baker of Mendota Heights
Hand-Knitted Articles: Adult sweater, overall color pattern cardigan – 5th place – Angella Coffee of South Saint Paul
Hand-Knitted Articles: Mittens (includes fingerless gloves), texture – 1st place – Kathleen Brooks of Mendota Heights
Hand-Knitted Articles: Scarf, heavyweight yarn, less than 16 in. wide – 2nd place – Jessica Christenson of South St. Paul
Hand-Knitted Articles: Shawl, light weight yarn, 25 in. and over in depth from neckline – 1st place – Amy Roos of Inver Grove Heights
Hand-Knitted Articles: Shawlette; light weight yarn, up to 25 in. in depth from neckline – 4th place – Amy Roos of Inver Grove Heights
Hand-Knitted Articles: Socks, solid texture – 1st place – Karen Paone of Inver Grove Heights
Hand-Knitted Articles: Adult sweater, plain pullover – 1st place – Karen Paone of Inver Grove Heights
Hand-Knitted Articles: Knit bag, felted – 1st place – Haley Martin of Inver Grove Heights
Hand-Knitted Articles: Knit bag, felted – 2nd place – Selina Betcher of Inver Grove Heights
Hand-Knitted Articles: Knit item, wearable, felted – 3rd place – Haley Martin of Inver Grove Heights
Hand-Knitted Articles: Not otherwise specified, not wearable – 1st place – Claire Zellmer of South Saint Paul
Hardanger: Piece, 30 in. and under perimeter, not framed – 2nd place – Michele White of Inver Grove Heights
Knit and Bolt – 1st place – Clarice Baker of Mendota Heights
Medium quilts: Mixed technique; hand- or machine-quilted by entrant – 5the place – Kathleen Brooks of Mendota Heights
Medium quilts: Mixed technique; hand- or machine-quilted by someone other than entrant – 2nd place – Laura McGlauchlen of Inver Grove Heights
Large bed quilt: Mixed techniques (pieced & appliquéd); hand- or machine-quilted by someone other than
entrant – 2nd place – Amanda Weinmann of Inver Grove Heights
Sweepstakes, crotched afghan – 1st place – Alanna Ladd of Inver Grove Heights
Sweepstakes, embroidery, and crewel – 1st place – Clarice Baker of Mendota Heights
Minnesota Knitters Guild – 1st place – Karen Paone of Inver Grove Heights
Minnesota Quilters: Best machine quilt – 1st place – Amanda Weinmann of Inver Grove Heights
St. Paul Needleworkers (Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America) – 1st place – Clarice Baker of Mendota Heights
The Yarnery: 1st place – Amy Roos of Inver Grove Heights
Bill and Helen Kelley Memorial Award – 1st place – Kathleen Brooks of Mendota Heights
Creative Activities: Work of Senior Citizens
Needlecrafts: Counted thread picture, less than 150 sq. in. – 3rd place – Sharon Detlie of West St Paul
Needlecrafts: Counted thread picture, less than 150 sq. in. – 4th place – Linda Keith of South Saint Paul
Needlecrafts: Crocheted, not otherwise specified in above – 4th place – Joan Myers of Inver Grove Heights
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