MARYSVILLE, Ohio – The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) BEST Program for youth ages 8-21 years co-hosted the Celebrity Showdown at the Clark County Cattle Battle along with a live auction to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio (RMHC). The Clark County Cattle Producers sponsored the event. The Celebrity Showdown was hosted at the Champions Center in Springfield, Ohio, on Jan. 24, 2025. For this event, youth were responsible for raising a minimum of $100 for the opportunity to dress up their cattle and present them to the celebrity judge. This year’s judge was the local Buckeye Man, Larry Lokai. Through donations from family, friends, their local community, and members of OCA, youth participating in the Celebrity Showdown raised over $4,000 for the show. Austin Sutherly, Clark County and the Laber siblings, Highland County, D’lelah, Patton, and Denver team dressed as Kansas City Chiefs, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, and took the lead fundraising with a total of $1,865 raised. The other teams/participants with the highest fundraising numbers were Adaline Dickson, $500, Bailee Smith, Leah, and Ruby Weiser, Knox County, $410, and siblings, Luke and Kaylee Jennings, Clermont County, $200. The overall Celebrity Showdown winner chosen for having the best costume by the Buckeye Man was Kasen Cole, Preble County, who was dressed as Jack Sawyer, Ohio State University defensive end. Additionally, a live auction was held with numerous items selling. The auction raised $6,500. Incentive prizes will be awarded to the community service top fundraisers at the OCA BEST Program Awards Banquet on May 3, 2025. Donations to RMHC will continue to be accepted after the Celebrity Showdown until the BEST Banquet. Anyone can donate online. Donations can also be attributed to a BEST participant’s name through the online donation form. Online contributions must be made prior to May 3, 2025, to be credited to a BEST participant’s cumulative fundraising total for the year. BEST is a youth program of the OCA that recognizes Ohio’s junior beef exhibitors through a series of shows. |
