Glandorf teen is a Prize Winner

GLANDORF - Even if Jennifer Siefker isn't crowned fair queen Tuesday, she's definitely a Prize Winner. Siefker, who is a member of the 2008 Putnam County Fair court, also is president of the O-G Prize Winners. She has been active in her 4-H club the past 10 years.

"It's been a lot of fun, and it's taught me to open up and to listen. In a club like 4-H, you really look to each other," said Siefker, a 2008 graduate of Ottawa-Glandorf High School.

Every year, Siefker has shown rabbits at the fair. With her market and breeder rabbits, she has won grand champion and other awards.

"I've had rabbits since I was 4. My first one was an Easter present, a Netherland Dwarf, and ever since then, I've always had rabbits. I spoil my rabbits," she said with a laugh. "You don't make much money off them, but they're a lot of fun."

As a member of the Putnam County Junior Fair Board, Siefker assists in running the junior fair shows and has spent the past five months with her fellow fair board members preparing for the many events taking place through Sunday at the fair.

The past four years, Siefker also has served as a 4-H camp counselor and Junior Leader, helping raise money for charity.

At Ottawa-Glandorf, Siefker was a four-year choir member and volunteered with the National Honor Society, Key Club and Junior Optimists.

She also spent two years assisting riders at the Challenged Champions Equestrian Center in Ottawa.

"I really liked it," she said. "When the kids would do something they didn't think they could, I'd get goose bumps. It was awesome."

Siefker said she enjoys volunteering.

"I don't like doing things for a reward; I like knowing you're helping better a program or someone else's life. That's what life is all about," she said. "It's not about getting material goods. The good feeling you get inside is reward enough."

At St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Glandorf, Siefker has served as a Mass server and baby sitter.

In her spare time, she worked as a cashier at Kohls Market in Ottawa. This summer, she baby-sits full time.

Siefker said she will attend Ohio Northern University to study nursing.

"My mom suffers from Crohn's disease, so she's always been in and out of the hospital, and I've noticed from the look on her face that it was the nurse who really made the difference for her," Siefker said. "It was the nurse who was always right there to give her encouraging words and care for her, and I want to be that person who can make a difference in other people's lives."