What’s recently happened?
This July, the Porter County Fair was in town at the Porter County Expo Center. For many people, the Porter County Fair is the highlight of the summer due to the good food, thrilling rides, and countless 4-H projects.
An important part of the Porter County Fair is the election of Miss Porter County Fair Queen and her court. This year, Gwen Weaver won the title with Evyenia Butterfield as her first runner-up and Tya Combs as her second runner-up. Brooke Trinidad won Miss Congeniality and Jillian Young won Miss Photogenic.
4-H is also a very important part of the Porter County Fair. Morgan Township’s two 4-H clubs are the Morgan Sodbusters and the Morgan Hustling Hoosiers. The Morgan Sodbusters’ president is Jacob Kolan, while the Morgan Hustling Hoosiers’ president is Heather Cox.
“I always say that 4-H has been the best thing I could’ve done with the last 10 years. My time in 4-H has allowed me to explore new passions, and it has also helped me discover the career path I want to follow. 4-H has molded me into who I am today, and I can’t wait until I can come back to the fair as a visitor and pay all that I have gained from 4-H back to the young 4-H members after me,” Cox said. “To all of those young 4-H members, I would say never stop making the best better, because 4-H is a program where the more effort you put into it, the more you will get out of it. Keep working hard and being good role models.”
4-H members aren’t the only people who enjoy the Porter County Fair and all it brings to Morgan Township. People from across the state and country visit the Porter County Fair to taste the food, experience the rides, and admire all the hard work and dedication that is put into the various 4-H projects within the 4-H building.
The Porter County Fair is a staple of Morgan Township life and an enjoyable experience for people of all ages. From the Tractor Supply Co. Barnyard to the antique tractor tent, the Porter County Fair is full of attractions that represent the community and interest all.
What’s coming up?
Morgan Township High School (MTHS) will be beginning its 2024-2025 school year on August 14. With the beginning of the school year comes new classes for students and the beginning of several new sports seasons.
“I’m looking forward to new teachers and the new challenges I will take on,” Carly Hand, an incoming freshman, said.
Several fall sports are also starting in August, including Girls Volleyball, Girls Soccer, and Boys Soccer. While practices have started long before August, the official seasons and games start in August. The first game will be on August 15 with Girls Varsity Volleyball playing against Hobart High School at Hobart.
With the start of the 2024-2025 school year at MTHS comes the start of school extracurriculars including Student Council, Interact Club, and Drama Club.
Community member spotlight:
Tammy Cox has lived in Morgan Township for 27 years and is deeply involved in the community. She is the Drama Club sponsor for Morgan Township Middle/High School, the club president of the Morgan Hustling Hoosiers, and the Porter County 4-H Council president.
“I started as a 4-H mom, then became a member of the Rabbit Project Committee which I have done for five or six years, maybe more, I've been in that barn for 12 years,” Cox said. “Then, I saw that our beloved Rachel Hannon, a Morgan Township resident and Morgan Roll Maker in the cafeteria, was ready to retire from being the Morgan Hustling Hoosier club president, and I stepped up after she celebrated her 50 years of leading. Rachel had asked me to be one of our parent representatives for the council which got me going to those meetings, and I was elected president of the council three years ago.”
Cox’s enthusiasm about 4-H is not limited to her children’s various projects. She is willing to cheer on all 4-H members and help lead them to a successful year of 4-H. She has the same dedication for Morgan Township’s Drama Club as well.
“I love the endless possibilities with 4-H. There are more than 80 projects that are not livestock and range from child development to art and crafts of all kinds to recycling and even weather,” Cox said. “Purdue University offers camp for elementary-aged kids, Round Up for middle school, and Academy for high school. The things you can learn about during these events can help guide you towards a career on top of teaching responsibility and making friends.”
While Cox does keep busy, she makes sure to take time for her family and for her community, arriving on time and always prepared. She means a lot to the community, and is always willing to offer her enthusiasm and dedication to everything she is involved with.
“I give my time and knowledge. If I don't know the answer, I usually know someone who does and I am happy to help connect people to the information they need to be successful,” Cox said.
