by Morgan Radwick, staff writer

Sophomore Kimmy Reisinger knows more poultry trivia than the average person, and she recently attended the National 4-H Avian Bowl held in Louisville, Kentucky. The contest challenges its participants’ knowledge on poultry. Contestants are given a manual to study over the summer before the competition and are tested on the content. In addition, each contestant receives a day old chick that they raise and take to the competition.
Reisinger qualified for Nationals this year after she and her team, which includes Heidi Wentz from Maplewood and John Reinman from Cochranton, took first place in the competition last year which was held at Penn State University Park. The national competition was held this year from Nov. 14-17.
“I like everything about it,” Reisinger said. Her favorite part is raising the chick she was given and learning anything and everything she can about the small hen.
The qualifying contest is comprised of twenty-five questions including short answer multiple choice, and spelling questions.
Reisinger’s competition took place on Thursday, Nov. 16. She and her team also toured the Louisville Slugger bat factory and Churchill Downs on Wednesday. ”It was very stressful, but after my first round I relaxed and just had fun,” Reisinger said. “We were first up which was very scary.” Despite being nervous, Reisinger and her team came in fifth out of 13 teams.
Concluding the competition, Reisinger said, “The day of showmanship is stressful, but it’s worth it in the end.”