News
4-H fair summer assistant has big dreams
Meet Maria Wilkinson
Twenty-year-old Maria Wilkinson is no stranger to the hectic, chicken-with-their-heads-cut-off atmosphere that consumes the Rush County Extension Office staff during fair week. As a second-year fair assistant, Maria has grown to know the craziness that consumes their job, and loves it just like her counterparts.
Wilkinson is a biochemistry and pre-med major at Ball State University and has aspirations of becoming a doctor. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, she hopes to attend the IU School of Medicine.
The daughter of Paul and Mary Wilkinson of Lewisville has made the Dean's List at BSU several times since the beginning of her freshman year.
"It's really getting tough, but I've always wanted to be a doctor, so I just try to keep my eyes on the prize," she said.
Wilkinson was a 10-year 4-H member of Center Lucky 4-H, and is now in her second term assisting the ladies (and gentleman) of the Rush County Extension Office during the 83rd Annual Rush County Fair.
"I really think it's a lot of fun," she said. "I love watching the kids, because I was them at one time, and that's always enlightening. And there's never a dull moment because they really keep me busy."
Wilkinson participated in Foods all 10 years of her 4-H days, as well as Child Development, Photography and Computer Arts.
"I never got to do the livestock shows when I was in 4-H, one of my greatest regrets," she said jokingly. "So I love to watch them. You just never know what's going to happen. Or I guess it would be better to say that you just never know what's going to try to escape."
The most entertaining "break for it" occurred during last year's 82nd annual Rush County Fair when a rebellious goat in the livestock pavilion decided to make a run for it, keeping law enforcement on its tail for a couple of hours until it was safely apprehended without incident.
"The steer show makes me nervous, because when I'm assisting I'm sitting at the judging table with my back to these 5,000 pound beasts," Wilkinson said. "Nothing's happened yet, but again, you never know what's going to happen."
Despite the jitters of having her back to obscenely large animals, Wilkinson appreciates the fair experience as a whole for the knowledge that she leaves with.
"It gives me such a greater appreciation that I ever had, even just doing 4-H, for the fair and for all the people who work here, especially the Extension Office," she said. "Before I started doing this I never knew what was going on behind the scenes. And everyone here works so, so hard to make this experience a learning one for these kids. I just think it's amazing. Plus, I just love to meet all the people that come along too."
Rushville Republican staff writer Elizabeth Gist can be contacted at via e-mail at elizabeth.gist@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.
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