There is a term at the Fremont County Fair that some may be unfamiliar with -- fair rat. It's a colloquial, and affectionate, term often ascribed to kids that spend long days, from sun up to sun down, at the dusty pens, chaotic show rings, and packed stands for the single purpose of being a part of their fair community.
It's not unusual for an entire family to be considered fair rats -- which is exactly how this year's 4-H Family of the Year describe themselves.
The Adamic family, which consists of father, Russ; mother, Lynn, and children, Isabella (22), Madeline (19), Jacob (16), and Nathan (14), have been integral parts of the 4-H and Fremont County Fair since 2010 when they were introduced to the shooting sports by the French family.
"We got into the program and started seeing what it brought to our kids' everyday lives," Russ said. "They grew and they learned what to look for and started picking their own animals."
However, unlike some 4-H families that have generations of competing in their blood, Russ and Lynn came to the arena without having competed themselves as kids -- but that didn't stop them from prompting their children to be the best competitors and sportsmen they could be.
Over the past 14 years, their children have become common household names for 4-H families and have accumulated a wall of ribbons and awards due to their long hours of care and effort.
Eldest daughter, Isabella, was the proverbial guinea pig and has competed in a variety of shooting, market goats, market beef, and equestrian events and was also the 4-H Royalty Princess Attendant. She paved the way for her younger siblings to run to great heights in 4-H and remains in the community as an employee at several local businesses.
Middle daughter, Madeline, who is currently pursuing a degree in animal science and agriculture business at Western Texas A&M, began her 4-H career as a Cloverbud and has since progressed to compete in the horse, market goat, market beef, and leathercraft. In 2023, she served as the 4-H Royalty Queen and also won the reserve grand champion market goat and grand champion market beef. She's also won countless ribbons in the equestrian categories and though, at 19, she is no longer able to compete as a 4-Her, her heart remains close to the countless friends she's made in the area.
She attributes her success to many hours of hard work and determination and has some priceless advice for young 4-H participants.
"Go find an older person in the barn because they know and are always willing to help -- adults are also willing to be there and help you learn new things as well," she said through tears -- recalling her many years in the ring.
"Nobody goes in an expert," Lynn added. "That's a big thing, you have to learn somewhere and they had some really great mentors over the years...You become a family...there are a lot of good people in this program and people are really willing to step up and help you."
In addition, both young ladies have served as junior superintendents during the fair.
Eldest son, Jacob, has also competed in shooting, market goat, and market beef categories. A mischievous glint showed in his eye as he remarked that one of his favorite accomplishments was beating his older sister, Madeline, beef showmanship in 2023. He's also placed as the grand champion in the market goat competition and already knows that the skills he has garnered within 4-H will easily translate into everyday life.
"Hard work and determination [are vital]," he said. "Everything is a process, we can't rush everything."
Youngest son, Nathan, has competed in shooting competitions, market beef, and, in a large departure from his siblings, in the market swine divisions.
"I don't like goats," he said flatly, eliciting a gaggle of laughter from his family.
Though he still has several years of competition ahead of him, he'd already won as the reserve grand champion in market swine and looks forward to many competitions to come.
The many accomplishments marked by their children have not come about by random chance as both Russ and Lynn are deeply involved within the fair and 4-H realms.
Russ initially served as a shooting coach for many years and has served on the Horse Council since 2013. He's also sat on the fair board for many years whilst also serving as the vice president and treasurer. in 2017, he became the club leader for both the .22 shooting and horse projects, and, in 2022, became the beef leader. He's also served as the assistant beef weigh master and currently serves as the fair's 2024 beef weigh master.
He doesn't limit his activity to leadership roles, however, and does just about anything else that's needed during the chaotic weeks of the fair.
"If you don't volunteer then it hurts the kids. I like to help out and be productive and make the show good for the kids," he said.
Lynn, who works in banking, serves as the treasurer of the Livestock Sales Committee, serves on the fair's sales committee, and, through many years, of competitions, triumphs, and heartbreaks has always been there to support her beloved family.
This year, Russ and Lynn became the leaders of the Los Caballeros 4-H Club and, in addition to running meetings, are also responsible for facilitating many community projects. In past years, they've worked on donations to the Humane Society, Brush Hollow clean-ups, hospice care packages, and Loaves and Fishes. They look forward to being leaders of the Los Caballeros for years to come.
"Watching them over the years with their kids [has been a treat]," commented nominator Tom Masar. "They are all about their family...Russ [and his family] are model people who you just want to be like."
The Adamics will join a long line of dedicated 4-H families and take the award seriously.
"To be put in that category [of family of the year] is such an honor," Russ said.
"There are a lot of great families that have come before us...so it's nice to know that they think you have something special in you," Lynn added.
So, next time you're at the Fremont County Fair, thank a fair rat because, chances are, they come from a dedicated family like the Adamics.
4-H Families of the Year
1965 – Ralph Taylor Family
1966 – Frank Squire Family
1967 – Jim Dilley Family
1968 – Milton Parker Family
1969 – Alan Rathke Family
1970 – John Globoker Family
1971 – Kenneth Haynes Family
1972 – James Masse Family
1973 – Olen Nichols Family
1974 – Bill Koch Family
1975 – Lud Feriancek Family
1976 – Gerald Shiner Family
1977 – Bob Shoemaker Family
1978 – Elbert Fourtner Family
1979 – Paul Kattnig Family
1980 – Bill Gotte Family
1981 – Tom Robb Family
1982 – Tom Young Family
1983 – Lawrence Faoro Family
1984 – Sheldon Downer Family
1985 – Paul Telck Family
1986 – Robert Lindley Family
1987 – Ernest Lindley Family
1988 – Wayne Shoemaker Family
1989 – Gene Comstock Family
1990 – Frank Ownbey Family
1991 – Ralph Kunselman Family
1992 – Jim West Family
1993 – Marie Adams Family
1994 – Tom Miller Family
1995 – Orval Bunker Family
1996 – Randy Lawson Family
1997 – Buddy Taylor Family
1998 – Michael Marriott Family
1999 – Bill Masse Family
2000 – Sonny Daniels Family
2001 – Randy Haynes Family
2002 – Ben Gowdy Family
2003 – Buddy Nichols Family
2004 – Eugene Valdez Family
2005 – Jerry Bouchard Family
2006 – Don and Val Berry Family
2007 – Don and Robin Gray Family
2008 – Ron and Alidra Walker Family
2009 – Butch Faoro Family
2010 – Dave and Tami Ratkovich Family
2011 – John and Char Yslas Family
2012 – Mark and Vicki Masar Family
2013 – Billy and Lorri Goebel Family
2014 – Grant and JoAnne Ary Family
2015 – Mark and Maureen Chapman Family
2016 – James and Jody McKean Family
2017 – Doyle and Lisa Ruona Family
2018 – Glen and Shari Johnson Family
2019 – Tom and Anita Masar Family
2020 – N/A
2021 – Martin and Mary Ellen Telck Family
2022 – Jolene DeVries and Family
2023 - Randy and Sarah Comstock Family
2024 -Russ and Lynn Adamic Family
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