Crowds Compete for Kosciusko Queen's Kiss
Published: Friday, July 24, 2026
A good-natured brawl broke out at the Kosciusko County 4-H and Community Fair last Friday morning in Warsaw as a group of "bidders" competed for the highly coveted queen's kiss during the 4-H livestock auction. Some bidders even offered up $1 million to win Lillian Henderson's affection before realizing they were in high school and didn't have that kind of money.
The competition kept the crowds rolling as, eventually, Shane Henderson won out for his daughter's kiss with a bid of $2,116. Lillian planted the kiss on her father's cheek to applause as the gavel came down on the sale.
Kosciusko County 4-H King Hudson Shepherd entered the ring for yet ano-
ther light-hearted lot. After the sale of the king's kiss to friends and family and Clunette Elevator, Shepherd put on the theatrics when he passed up the winning bidder, Hailey Stookey, to plant a kiss on her puppy. He earned a hearty chuckle from the crowd and $800 in bids, which he donated to the memorial garden on the fairgrounds.
The top selling grand champion premium during the spotlight sale was Haley Nelson's Shorthorn Plus steer, which fetched $9,250 from buyers. Haley is the daughter of Jenny and Scott Nelson of Claypool. Complete results, including buyers lists, were not available at press time. Add-ons continued through Tuesday evening.
Carter Grady of North Webster showed the reserve champion steer. The son of Wendy and Matt Grady fetched the top sale of the morning, raking in $17,525 from buyers.
In the swine show, Savanah Beer walked away with the blue ribbon. She earned a $7,050 premium from buyers. She is the daughter of Danielle and Brooks Beer of Milford. Westen Haab, also of Milford, showed the reserve champion hob. The son of Jason and Amber Haab received a $4,100 premium.
In the dairy show, Hayden Stookey of Milford showed the grand champion Holstein Cow. Bidders paid $3,850 for the premium. Reed Tucker, son of Cathy and Ryan Reed of Warsaw, went home with $1,100 in his pocket following the sale of his grand champion red-and-white Holstein. He also earned the blue ribbon for his Guernsey.
Not selling were the grand champion dairy steer and grand champion dairy feeder steer, both exhibited by Jace Beer of Milford. He is the son of Marc and Jodi Beer. His sister, Jenna, showed the grand champion meat type goat, which also did not sell. The animals will be taken to compete at the Indiana State Fair.
Two goats were represented in the sale. Jason Moore of Warsaw sold the premium for his grand champion milking doe to Bishop Farms, Jim and Janet Moore, and Roger Studebaker Farm for $1,200. He is the son of Tim and Janet Moore. Kinley Crabb exhibited the grand champion market wether. She earned a premium of $1,300 from a group of buyers. She is the daughter of Kylene and Josh Crabb of Mentone.
Adalyn Meyer, daughter of Janelle and Doug Meyer of Winona Lake, showed the grand champion meat pen of rabbits. Turtle Top paid a bid of $600 for the premium. Kosciusko County 4-H Princess Ella Jarrett entered the ring with the reserve champion meat pen and walked away $6,190 richer. She is the daughter of Angie and David Jarrett of Pierceton.
The blue-ribbon turkey was shown by Cayson Shepherd, son of Jason and Melissa Shepherd of Warsaw. He earned a high bid of $700 from Echoes of the Past and Clunette Elevator.
Susannah Redman, daughter of Emily and Spencer Redman of North Manchester came out of the sale $800 richer. She exhibited the grand champion market ducks. Buyers included Maple Leaf and Key Capture Energy.
In chickens, Uriah Jackson showed the top lot. He earned a $600 premium from friends and family and Polk Equipment. He is the son of Allen Jackson and Whitney Beck.
Landon Bewley showed the grand champion market lamb, which did not sell in the auction. He is the son of Katie Ayres and Caleb Bewley of Silver Lake.
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