EDWARDSVILLE - The University of Illinois Extension’s Madison County 4-H is recognizing senior Karlie Knebel as the school year comes to an end, highlighting her experiences in the youth program and her plans to attend Murray State University to study animal and equine science.
Knebel, whose parents are Corey and Stacey Knebel, said the best part of participating in 4-H was the people she met through her club and at the fair. She is completing five years in 4-H.
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“The best part about being in 4-H is all the people I was able to meet,” Knebel said, “whether it's within my club or at the fair. It's always fun to meet someone new and hear a little bit about them.”
Knebel said her favorite 4-H project was cake decorating, which she said she enjoyed competing in during her time in the program. She pointed to a cake she exhibited at the Madison County Fair in 2025 as a standout.
“I think my favorite cake was the one I showed at the Madison County Fair in 2025,” Knebel said. “I loved the different shades of green and all of the piping that I did. It was a more sophisticated cake, and I really love how it turned out.”
Knebel also said 4-H helped prepare her for the future by giving her experience discussing her work in interviews.
“4-H has prepared me for the future by being interviewed about my projects,” she said. “It really helped me learn and prepare for the kind of questions that might be asked. This will really help me in the future when I am applying for scholarships and jobs.”
