WAPAKONETA — The Eric Vogel Memorial was awarded after this year’s Auglaize County Fair. The award is given annually to two outstanding junior fair board members. The memorial recognizes board members for their commitment to making the junior fair a success. The winners have also given leadership to the board through their hard work and exemplify the qualities of a junior fair board member. The memorial award is to be presented each year to the two Junior Fair Board members who contribute most to the current year’s fair.

This year’s recipients are Kelly Wilker, daughter of Gene and Cindy Wilker, of St. Marys, and Kyle Prenger, son of Dennis and Christa Prenger, of Minster.

Prenger is a member of the Minster Livestock 4-H Club and currently serves as president for the Junior Fair Board. Wilker is a member of the Buckeye Beavers 4-H Club and is vice president of the Junior Fair Board.

Each recipient was presented with a certificate and their names will be added to a memorial plaque. The plaque, which also recognizes all past winners, is located in the Junior Fair Building on the fairgrounds.

This award serves as a memorial to Eric Vogel, son of the late Walter and Ann Vogel, of St. Marys. He died on Nov. 17, 1981 in an auto accident. Eric was an outstanding 4-H member, having served as a Junior Leader, Junior Fair Board member, and youth representative to the 4-H Advisory Committee. He was very active in the county 4-H program. His example has served as a role model for many junior fair board members who have followed.