‘Squares’ One of Several Local Groups Awarded Farm Show Blue Ribbons

by Jonathan Weaver
A pair of local square dance groups won blue ribbons during their competition at the Pennsylvania Farm Show earlier this week.

Both squares in the Armstrong Squares 4-H Club won in the Square Dancing Division 1, Under 17 category Monday evening during the main event.

Organization Leader Alaina Biesinger said students aged six to 18 have practiced for four months for this one competition and students did well in competition Monday.

“Both squares got blue ribbons,” Biesinger said. “They did very well. They were very excited.”

The participating students were able to practice for about an hour before Monday night’s competition. Biesinger said many of the students were more excited than nervous.

“Because most of them have done this before, but there’s always that feeling of ‘OK, this is for real.’ There are so many squares out there that just made it fun for them,” Biesinger said.

Sandy and Bill Kriley of Rural Valley cheered for their daughters -14-year-old Gabi, 10-year-old Sami and eight-year-old Myki – from the stands Monday night.

“It’s our family vacation. We go down on Saturday to watch Brockwood Farm (from Dayton, which won ‘Best in Show’) and volunteer at the State 4-H booth for a few hours Saturday and Sunday, compete on Monday and head home on Tuesday,” Sandy said. “It’s a great time.”

The three girls are involved in the Young Rough Riders 4-H club and will show horses at the Great Dayton Fair and at local shows this Spring.

16-year-old Denten Stubrich of Whitesburg has been dancing since the group originated. He said 60 squares performed during the exhibit.

“It feels pretty good,” Stubrich said. “Lets me know that we worked hard and accomplished our goal. I have all blue (ribbons) except for one red. I saw a lot of kids older than me – obviously with more experience under their belt – so it makes me feel good that I’m up there at the top with them.”

Also a West Shamokin High athlete, Stubrich gave advice to some of his fellow dancers.

“I basically tell everyone to be quiet and listen to the calls and not to goof around unless we have time to because, in my opinion, practice is the most important. You have to focus,” Stubrich said.

Biesinger estimated there were only about a dozen teams with student competitors.

Stubrich is also involved in many non-livestock projects, including ceramics, rocketry and riflery.

Armstrong County 4-H Youth Development Coordinator Suzanne Boarts was also at the competition and praised the winners.

“They did wonderful – better than I’ve ever see them do,” Boarts said.

Besides the “Armstrong Squares,” dozens of Armstrong County residents participated in more than 90 activities at the show, including horses, breeding beef cattle and family living.

According to Penn State Extension, as well as to the square dancers, seven local residents (including Rylee Stockdale of Dayton, Sarah Brockhoff of Dayton and Anna and Berea Longwell of Shelocta) split a total of more than 25 blue ribbons

Judging for the other events occurred last weekend when most of the square dancers were traveling to Harrisburg.

The show concludes Saturday.