Schenk recognized for 50 years of fair photos
- Laurie Sidle, OSU Extension Wayne Co.
- November 15, 2024
- 115
Mike Schenk knows how much hard work 4-Hers invest in their projects. For a half century, he has witnessed it behind the lens of his camera and across the interview table at 4-H judging.
As our 4-H program honored volunteers and members at its annual recognition banquet on Nov. 14, Schenk was on the minds of many in the 4-H community who appreciate his longtime support of the program during his work as a photographer at The Wooster Daily Record. Schenk has already received the prestigious Meritorious Service Award, but we think the 50-year milestone is definitely worth recognizing.
The Clinton Lads and Lassies 4-H Club submitted a letter praising his commitment to showcasing youth at the fair.
“Mike has taken photos of many generations of families,” the letter said. “He knows so many families he can just put a child with the right set of grandparents. He always knows when to show up for that perfect award picture, whether it’s early morning or midnight.”
Until recent years the fair meant Schenk would work 18 hours a day. He’d arrive at the fair about 9 a.m., take photos of award winners, capture feature photos, then head back to the office about 11 p.m. to process film. He’d have enough time for a few hours of sleep before heading back to the fair to do it again the next day.
“The Wayne County Fair got coverage that no other fair got,” he said, remembering the daily fair tabloids the newspaper once printed.
These days that type of coverage isn’t required, and working with digital photos saves him time he once spent in the dark room. Still, he gives a good portion of his day to taking fair photographs and gathering information.
His most memorable photos are those that surprised him.
“I got a photo of a 4-Her brushing her cow’s teeth with a toothbrush,” he said.
Another time he was in the horse barn and found a 4-Her lying asleep on her horse’s back. “And the horse was standing up,” he said. “You just never know what you’re going to find.”
The reason Schenk continues his photography work is simple. “I enjoy it,” he said. “People at the fair are really nice. The fair means a lot to them, and they put a lot into it.”
He believes 4-H youth gain valuable life skills. “They put a lot of work into their projects,” he said, and that’s not easy these days because they are spread in so many different directions with various activities.
Schenk is a former 4-Her who took photography and other still projects. His first camera — a box camera — was a gift from his mother, and later he was thrilled to upgrade to a Kodak Instamatic.
These days his equipment is much more sophisticated, but his love of photography is constant.
For 45 years he’s judged 4-H photography projects and sponsors an award for the Best of Show photography project.
He looks forward to interviewing 4-Hers to see what they’ve accomplished in their photographic adventures. It’s also important for him to be able to share his own knowledge.
The Meritorious Service Award, the highest honor given to Wayne County 4-H volunteers or supporters, was a thrill for him to receive.
“I was happy that people thought I was doing something to help the kids,” he said. “It was nice to be recognized by a group, and it’s as important to me as 4-H and the fair.”
Knowing this is a big reason our 4-H staff takes time every year to recognize those who give so abundantly of their time and talents.
Laurie Sidle is an Ohio State University Extension family and consumer sciences and 4-H program assistant and may be reached at 330-264-8722 or sidle.31@osu.edu.