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Teary-eyed teen bids farewell to champion steer

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By Bridgette Outten, Staff Writer 8:50 PM Friday, July 30, 2010

SPRINGFIELD — It appeared to be a bittersweet moment for 13-year-old Michaela Palmer as she stood with her steer, Chance, at Clark County Fair’s cattle auction Friday, July 30.

The fair ended its week of competition, events and food on Friday.

Palmer and 1,325-pound Chance went all the way to the top, with the title of overall grand champion, but the 4-H’er cried in the ring when she sold him.

“(Palmer) was very excited when she won,” said her mother, Heather Hope. “She worked very hard all year.”

An eighth-grader at South Vienna, Palmer worked with Chance throughout the winter in The Best program, and he was the grand champion at the Spring Classic as well.

Chance fetched $7,500 in Friday’s auction. He was purchased by Code Blue, a Wisconsin-based insurance claims processing company that is moving to Springfield and will provide about 300 local jobs.

Code Blue also purchased the overall grand champion hog, which sold for $3,100 Thursday.

Breanna Oakes, 14, of the Blue Ribbon 4-H Club, won overall grand champion last year, and this year her 1,320-pound steer Shaggy won overall reserve champion.

The Northwestern High School student was excited about her win and that her hard work paid off.

“It took a lot of work,” she said, “showing him all winter and getting him ready.”

Oakes got $4,900 for Shaggy in Friday’s auction.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0374 or boutten@coxohio.com.

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