The 4-H Beef Sale is among the most anticipated events of The Big E each year. On Monday, September 22, hardworking 4-H students presented 44 project steers to a room full of eager buyers in the Mallary Complex. Just before the auction began, Mike Gauvin, Eastern States Exposition (ESE) 4-H Chairman, called eight students to the front of the arena to each receive recognition and a $1,000 scholarship.
Over the years, donations and fundraising efforts by the committee have been amassed to support and advance the education of the students involved in the beef program. The ESE 4-H Beef Program Committee carefully reviews applications from high school seniors and college students that have successfully completed the first semester of a two- or four-year academic program. Typically, an average of two scholarships are distributed. This year, eight scholarships were granted to Abigail Caron, Haley-Ann Lynch, Haley Sarandrea, Kaylin Couto, Luke Bergeron, Madelyn Syme, Riley Mahaffey and Zoey Violette.
Abigail Caron of Corinna, Maine, is a first-year student at the University of Maine at Fort Kent where she studies law conservation. She is the current president and former vice president of the Penobscot Livestock 4-H Club. In high school, Caron graduated magna cum laude, was the president of her school’s chapter of the National Honor Society and captain of the varsity soccer team.
During her six years in ESE’s 4-H Beef Program, Caron was most proud that she “worked [her] way up from being someone that needed guidance to becoming someone who was doing the guiding.”
Haley-Ann Lynch of Southwick, Mass., is a first-year student at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst studying animal science. She is an involved 4-H student and FFA member; she has held many roles in her local 4-H chapter, including reporter, secretary and treasurer. She also guided her team in livestock judging at FFA Nationals. Lynch has received numerous honors and awards through both programs including the Dan Avery Sportsmanship Award, the Dan Wright Merritt Award, First Place in State for FFA Livestock Judging—Silver Individual at FFA Nationals, an FFA Baystate Degree and First Place in the Carcass Contest at ESE.
Lynch says the beef program has helped her “improve [her] herd, the herd’s nutrition and [her] skills in and knowledge of the beef industry in the context of the real world.”
Haley Sarandrea of Bethlehem, Conn., is a first-year student at Western Connecticut State University where she is working towards her Bachelor of Science in Registered Nursing (BSRN). Throughout her 4-H career, she had the honor of traveling to Texas to be trained as a National 4-H Livestock Ambassador. When she returned home, she developed after-school programs for elementary students. She was also the vice president of her FFA chapter. Sarandrea has received numerous awards in school and her 4-H honors including an FFA Greenhand Degree, a varsity letter for lacrosse, the Bethlehem Fair Scholarship, High Placing Livestock Judging Team through The Big E 4-H, the 4-H Citizenship Award and 4-H Outstanding Beef Club Member.
“When it comes to showing cattle, it is often seen as a one-man show,” Sarandrea said. “However, at The Big E, it is a whole state effort.”
Kaylin Couto of Portsmouth, R.I., is a first-year student at the University of Rhode Island (URI) where she studies nursing. Her 4-H leadership experiences include president of the R.I. 4-H Beef Club, livestock assistant superintendent for the Eastern R.I. 4-H Fair, Eastern R.I. Fair Volunteer and 4-H Friends Mentor Program. Her recognition includes First and Second Place in States at the 2024 National History Date, member of the 2025 National Technical Honor Society, member of the 2025 R.I. Honor Society, Division I State Championships Girls Basketball 2025, Counselor of the Week through the YMCA and the 2022 Best Coach Award at Hoops Camp.
“I have become a more confident and stronger leader because of the opportunities I have had while exhibiting cattle at Eastern States,” said Couto.
Luke Bergeron of Belchertown, Mass., is a first-year student at UMass Amherst majoring in pre-veterinarian science. In 2023 and 2024, he was given the Massachusetts Beef Team Leadership Award. In 2024, he headed the state’s educational display and was selected for the 4-H judging team. He is the president of the New England Jr. Hereford Association and was treasurer of his high school’s Saving Endangered Animals Club. His 4-H awards include 2024 Reserve Champion Showman, 2024 Champion and Reserve Champion Hereford Heifer, 2024 Second Place Cook-off Team, 2024 Third Overall Individual Sweepstakes, 2024 Top 10 Senior Records, 2024 Top 10 Senior Judging, 2023 Commended Steer, 2023 Reserve Champion Hereford Heifer, 2021-2024 Showmanship callbacks and more.
“The 4-H Beef Program has taught me to be a leader,” said Bergeron.
Madelyn Syme of South Windsor, Conn., is a first-year student at the University of Connecticut (UConn) where she studies animal science. She is former vice president of the vendors and current vice president of livestock at the Hartford County 4-H Fair. She is also former president of the Lambs Unlimited 4-H Club, communications coordinator for Students Against Destructive Decisions, captain of the varsity lacrosse team, vice president of the Continental Dorset Club (CDC) and New England Regional Director of the CDC.
Syme said, “While I have only been a participant in the ESE 4-H Beef Program for three years, it has been incredibly beneficial in my life…I have been taught to be self-sufficient while also being able to work well with others.”
Riley Mahaffrey of Amenia, N.Y., is a senior in high school. In college she plans to study agri-business with a focus in marketing and sales. She has served as 4-H Club president for four terms and has served as junior vice president, secretary, vice president and now chapter and district president within FFA. She also leads a Career Development Event (CDE) Agricultural Sales and Livestock Evaluation team through FFA. Mahaffrey is vice president of the N.Y. Simmental Association, a student council member and a member of the National Honor Society. She has received extensive 4-H and FFA awards including, but not exclusive to, 2025 FFA Nationals Extemporaneous Speaking Speaker Participant, 2025 17th Intermediate Overall AJSA (Simmental) National Classic, 2025 Star in FFA Beef, 2025 State FFA Degree, 2024 Star FFA Chapter Farmer and 2023 Purple 4-H Presentation.
Of the beef program, Mahaffrey shared, “It was intimidating at first, but it pushed me to become more independent, confident and willing to step outside of my comfort zone.”
Zoey Violette of Sutton, Mass., is a first-year student at UConn Storrs where she majors in animal science. She has served as secretary (2020-2021), vice president (2021-20222) and president (2022-2025) of the Sutton Preservationists 4-H Club. She has traveled to national conferences with 4-H and livestock groups and is the recipient of numerous state and county level 4-H awards, including recognition for sportsmanship, showmanship, record-keeping and more.
“I have been attending The Big E since I was 14 years old,” said Violette. “I gather my knowledge and put it to work during the workshops given by professionals. I have learned to be a better leader in groups, how to resolve difficulties and how to follow a set schedule.”
Each of these students is sowing the seeds that will help the agriculture industry continue to grow and blossom in the future. ESE thanks them for their hard work and applauds them for this latest recognition.