2023Â Ohio Youth Skillathons
Welcome to the 2023 Ohio State Fair Skillathons. We want to support the continued learning needs of youth livestock and companion animal exhibitors throughout Ohio, so Ohio State University Extension and the Department of Animal Sciences are pleased to offer in-person and virtual Skillathons again this year. NEW IN 2023: we are introducing a proctored virtual breeding Skillathon at the Ohio State Fair for the species with Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor Programs.Â
Our 4-H Animal Sciences team will conduct online Ohio Youth Skillathons this year to provide a chance for youth to practice as well as to provide another opportunity for county fair skillathon credit; no awards will be involved. These Skillathons will include similar educational materials, by species, that are evaluated at the Ohio State Fair. In-person Skillathons and OBE Skillathons will be at the Ohio State Fair and youth participating at the youth livestock shows will have an opportunity to compete.
Save the dates for the species you want to participate in and put your 4-H project knowledge to the test! Times, details about rules, and registration are provided on this page. If you have questions about the Ohio 4-H Skillathon, contact us at 4hanimalscience@osu.edu.
2023Â Ohio Youth Skillathon Calendar
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For more information about dates and topics, please visit the individual species pages linked below:
Beef        | Goat        | Rabbit |
Cavy | Horse | Sheep |
Dairy | Llama/Alpaca | Swine |
Dog  | Poultry | General Resources |
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Skillathons are open to any Ohio 4-H member, age 8 and in the 3rd grade, or 9 years old and older regardless of grade level, to age 18 as of January 1, 2023, and FFA members. 4-H and FFA members turning 19 on or before December 31, 2022, are too old to participate in skillathons.
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RULES:
- In-Person 2021 Ohio Youth Skillathon Rules (posted 5.3.2022)
- Virtual 2021 Ohio Youth Skillathon Rules and Registration (posted 5.3.2022)
- All Skillathons are open to any Ohio 4-H member, age 8 and in the 3rd grade, or 9 years old and older regardless of grade level, to age 18 as of January 1, 2023, and FFA members.
- You do not have to exhibit a particular species to participate in that species Skillathon.
- Any specific rules for an individual species will be outlined on the testing site.
- Virtual skillathons will be delivered through Qualtrics. You must have access to a mobile device or computer with the ability to access the internet.
- Even though virtual Skillathons are online, each Skillathon must be taken by the youth only without assistance from family or friends.
- NEW: (OBE) Breeding Skillathons will be held during the youth livestock shows at the Ohio State Fair for Beef, Goat, Sheep, and Swine.Â
- Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor, youth MUST compete in their species OBEÂ skillathon
- In-person Skillathons will be held during the youth livestock shows at the Ohio State Fair
- Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Market Exhibitor, youth MUST compete in their species in-person skillathon
- There will be 4 stations in each Skillathon that will make up 4 separate, timed modules.
- Each station will have a time limit (typically 5 minutes per station).
- If your child requires any testing accommodations, please contact us in advance at 4hanimalscience@osu.edu and we will work with you to make accommodation arrangements.
- Results will be posted for each age category, age division, and overall after the Skillathon is completed.Â
How to Register for Virtual Skillathons:
- No Pre-Registration Required
- This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons.Â
- This may also replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements).Â
- If you are using this skillathon for credit at your county fair, check for specific completion requirements with your fair.Â
- Species Links Below:Â
- Beef
- Cavy
- Dairy
- Dog
- Goat
- Horse
- Llama / Alpaca
- Poultry
- Rabbit
- Sheep
- Swine
- If you have any questions, please contact 4hanimalscience@osu.edu.
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Interested in our Ohio 4-H Skillathon Team?
Beef Skillathon
2023
Virtual:Â Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online.Â
- Link: TBA
- This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons.Â
- This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements).Â
(OBE) Breeding Beef Skillathon: Monday, July 24 & Friday, July 28, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)
- Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor, youth MUST compete in the OBE Skillathon
- The Beef OBE skillathon is only open to beef-breeding exhibitors.Â
In-Person: Thursday, August 3, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)
- Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Market Exhibitor, youth MUST compete at the in-person Beef Skillathon
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2022Â Skillathon Stations
- Virtual:Â Meat Science, Environmental Stewardship, Health & Treatment, Nutrition & Digestion
- In-Person:Â Meat Science, Animal Care, Health & Treatment, Nutrition & DigestionÂ
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Resources to Study
- Resource Book
- Livestock Resources
- 2022 – GPPs 7, 8, & 9 from QA study guide
- Cattle Mud and Manure Scores
- Beef Meat Cuts Video
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ResultsÂ
VIRTUAL 7.8.2022
- All Participants (by county) 7.29.2022
- Top 25 Overall 7.30.2022
- Individual Results (top 10 by age) 7.30.2022
IN-PERSON 8.4.2022
Skillathon
Record Book
- Top 10 Winners (age category) 8.4.2022
OME
- Top 10 Winners (age category) with overall Champions 8.11.2022
OBE
- Top 10 Winners (age category) with overall Champions 8.1.2022
Cavy Skillathon
2023Â
Virtual Only: Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online.
- Link: TBA
- This may be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements).Â
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2022Â Skillathon Stations
- Virtual: Animal Nutrition, Anatomy, Breeds, and Nutrition & Digestion
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Resources to Study Â
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Results Â
All Participants (by county) 7.25.2022
Top 25 Overall 7.25.2022
Individual Results (by age) 7.25.2022
Dairy Skillathon
2023
Virtual:Â Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online.Â
- Link: TBA
- This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons.Â
- This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements).Â
In-Person: Tuesday, August 1st, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)
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2022Â Skillathon Stations
- Virtual:Â Nutrition & Digestion, Health & Treatment, Mammary Function & Dairy Products, Environmental Stewardship & Farm Safety
- In-Person:Â Nutrition & Digestion, Health & Treatment, Mammary Function & Dairy Products, Environmental Stewardship
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Resources to Study  Â
- Dairy Resource Handbook  Â
- Ohio 4-H Dairy Cattle Resources
- 2022 – GPPs 7, 8, & 9 from QA study guide
- Milking Center Wastewater Management
- Silage Safety
- Manure Scoring
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Results  Â
VIRTUAL 7.8.2022Â Â
- All Participants (by county) 7.25.22
- Top 25 Overall 7.25.22
- Individual Results (by age) 7.25.22
IN-PERSON 7.27.2022
- Individual Results (top 10 by age) 7.29.2022
- Age Winners with overall Champion 7.29.2022
Dog Skillathon
2023
Virtual:Â Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online.Â
- Link: TBA
- This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons.Â
- This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements).Â
In-Person: Tuesday, July 18th, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)
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2022 Skillathon Stations Â
- Virtual: Heath and Hazards, Grooming, Anatomy, Breeds and Selection
- In-Person: Anatomy & Physiology, Health & Hazards, Breeds & Selection, Animal Care & Diseases
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Resources to Study  Â
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Results  Â
VIRTUAL 7.6.2022
- All Participants (by county) 7.25.2022
- Top 25 Overall 7.22.2022
- Individual Results (by age) 7.25.2022
IN-PERSON 7.14.2022
- Individual Results (top 10 by age) 7.22.2022
- Age Winners with overall Champion 7.22.2022
Goat Skillathon
2023
Virtual:Â Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online.Â
- Link: TBA
- This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons.Â
- This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements).Â
(OBE) Breeding Goat Skillathon: Tuesday, July 18, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, O’Neill Swine Barn
- Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor, youth MUST compete in the OBE Skillathon
- The Goat OBE skillathon is only open to goat-breeding exhibitors.Â
In-Person: Friday, July 21, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)
- Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Market Exhibitor, youth MUST compete at the in-person Goat Skillathon
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2022Â Skillathon Stations
- Virtual: Goat Products, Medication & Handling, Nutrition & Digestion, Anatomy & Breeds
- In-Person: Meat Science, Animal Identification, Nutrition & Digestion, Animal Care
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Resources to Study  Â
- Ohio 4-H Livestock Resources  Â
- Goat Resource Handbook
- How to Ear Tag a Goat
- Scrapie and Scrapie Tag Information (scroll down, information at the bottom of the webpage)
- 2022 – GPPs 7, 8, & 9 from QA study guide
- Selection Carcass Evaluation
- Goat Meat Cuts Video
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Results
VIRTUAL 7.7.2022
- All Participants (by county) 7.29.2022
- Top 25 Overall 7.29.2022
- Individual Results (top 10 by age) 7.30.2022
IN-PERSON 8.5.2022
Skillathon
Record Book
OME
- Top 10 Winners (age category) with overall Champions 8.18.2022
OBE
- Top 10 Winners (age category) with overall Champions 8.1.2022
Horse Skillathon
2023
Virtual:Â Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online.Â
- Link: TBA
- This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons.Â
- This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements).Â
In-Person: Monday, July 17, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)
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2022Â Skillathon Stations
- Virtual:Â Genetics, Health & Digestion, Blemishes & Conformation, Nutrition
- In-Person: Medication & Treatment, Gaits, Pastures & Plants, Anatomy
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Resources to Study Â
- Ohio 4-H Horse Resources
- Horse Smarts: An Equine Reference and Youth Activity Guide by American Youth Horse Council (AYHC)
- Illustrated Dictionary of Equine Terms by New Horizons Equine Education Center, Inc., Alpine Publications
- Horse Anatomy, A Coloring Atlas by R. Kainer and T. McCracken, Alpine Publications
- Feeding and Care of the Horse (2nd Edition)Â by L.D. Lewis, Wiley-Blackwell
- Tack catalogs for visuals:
- Schneider Saddlery – Apparel, tack, and horse care items for the English and Western rider. To request a free catalog please visit http://www.sstack.com/ or call 800-365-1311.
- Big Dee’s Tack & Vet Supply – https://www.bigdweb.com
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Results Â
VIRTUAL 7.7.2022
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All Results (by county) 7.25.2022
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Top 25 Overall 7.25.2022
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Individual Results (by age) 7.26.2022
IN-PERSON 7.20.2022
- Individual Results (top 10 by age) 7.22.2022
- Age Winners with overall Junior and Senior Champions 7.22.2022
Llama/Alpaca Skillathon
2023
Virtual Only:Â Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online.Â
- Link: TBA
- This may be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements).Â
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2022Â Skillathon Stations
- Virtual: Fiber & Shearing, Pastures & Plants, Health & Treatment, Anatomy
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Resources to Study  Â
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Results
VIRTUAL 7.7.2022
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All Participants (by county) 7.23.2022
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Top 25 Overall 7.23.2022
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Individual Results (by age) 7.25.2022
Poultry Skillathon
2023
Virtual:Â Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online.Â
- Link: TBA
- This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons.Â
- This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements).Â
In-Person: Wednesday, August 2, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Rabbit & Poultry Pavilion
- Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Market Exhibitor, youth MUST compete at the in-person Poultry Skillathon
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2022Â Skillathon Stations
- Virtual:Â Anatomy & Nutrition, Poultry Products, Animal Health, Medication & Treatment
- In-Person:Â Anatomy & Nutrition, Poultry Products, Animal Handling, Medication & Treatment
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Resources to Study Â
- Ohio 4-H Poultry Resources - especially the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Important Information
- Poultry Project and Record Book
- 2022 – GPPs 7, 8, & 9 from QA study guide
- Anatomy of a Feather
- Pearson Square FactsheetÂ
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Results Â
VIRTUAL 7.6.2022
- All Participants (by county) 8.1.2022
- Top 25 Overall 8.1.2022
- Individual Results (top 10 by age) 8.1.2022
IN-PERSON 8.3.2022
Skillathon
- Individual Results (top 10 by age) 8.4.2022
- Age Winners with overall Champion 8.4.2022
Record Book
- Top 10 Winners (age category) 8.4.2022
OME
- Top 10 Winners (age category) with overall Champions 8.18.2022
Rabbit Skillathon
2023
Virtual:Â Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online.Â
- Link: TBA
- This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons.Â
- This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements).Â
In-Person: Friday, August 4, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Rabbit & Poultry Pavilion
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2022Â Skillathon Stations
- Virtual:Â Identification, Genetics, Animal Care, Products
- In-Person:Â Biosecurity, Genetics, Care & Digestion, Products
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Resources to Study Â
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Results Â
VIRTUAL 7.6.2022
- All Participants (by county) 8.1.2022
- Top 25 Overall 8.1.2022
- Individual Results (by age) 8.1.2022
IN-PERSON 8.5.2022
Sheep Skillathon
2023
Virtual:Â Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online.Â
- Link: TBA
- This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons.Â
- This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements).Â
(OBE) Breeding Sheep Skillathon: Monday, July 31 & Wednesday, August 2nd, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, Brown Sheep Building
- Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor, youth MUST compete in the OBE Skillathon
- The Sheep OBE skillathon is only open to sheep-breeding exhibitors.Â
In-Person: Tuesday, July 25, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, Brown Sheep Building
- Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Market Exhibitor, youth MUST compete at the in-person Sheep Skillathon
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2022Â Skillathon Stations
- Virtual:Â Breeds, Meat Science, Nutrition & Environment, Wool
- In-Person:Â Breeds, Meat Science, Nutrition & Environment, Animal Care
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Resources to Study Â
- Sheep Resource Handbook (Please note that "Loin Eye Area" referenced in the handbook between the 12th and 13th rib for the purpose of measuring back fat thickness and longissimus muscle is referred to as "Ribeye Area")
- Breed Standards - search for individual breed standards to study, for example, Hampshire Breed Standards
- Livestock Resources
- Sheep breeds - 5exel
- 2022 – GPPs 7, 8, & 9 from QA study guide
- Sheep Meat Cuts Video
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Results Â
VIRTUAL 7.7.2022
- All Participants (by county) 7.30.2022
- Top 25 Overall 7.30.2022
- Individual Results (top 10 by age) 7.30.2022
IN-PERSON 8.3.2022
Skillathon
Record Book
- Top 10 Winners (age category) 8.4.2022
OME
- Top 10 Winners (age category) with overall Champions 8.11.2022
OBE
- Top 10 Winners (age category) with overall Champions 8.1.2022
Swine Skillathon
2023
Virtual:Â Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online.Â
- Link: TBA
- This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons.Â
- This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements).Â
(OBE) Breeding Swine Skillathon: Friday, July 28, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm, O’Neill Swine Barn
- Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor, youth MUST compete in the OBE Skillathon
- The Swine OBE skillathon is only open to swine-breeding exhibitors.Â
In-Person: Thursday, August 3, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm, O’Neill Swine Barn
- Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Market Exhibitor, youth MUST compete at the in-person Swine Skillathon
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2022Â Skillathon Stations
- Virtual:Â Meat Science, Nutrition &Â Byproducts, Reproduction & Pedigrees, Health &Â Treatment
- In-Person: Meat Science, Animal Care, Reproduction & Pedigrees, Health & Treatment
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Resources to Study Â
- Livestock Resources  Â
- Swine Resource Handbook
- Zoonotic Disease Risk and Prevention
- 2022 – GPPs 7, 8, & 9 from QA study guide
- Swine Meat Cuts Video
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Results
VIRTUAL 7.8.2022
- All Participants (by county) 7.29.2022
- Top 25 Overall 7.29.2022
- Individual Results (top 10 by age) 7.30.2022
IN-PERSON 8.4.2022
Skillathon
Record Book
- Top 10 Winners (age category) 8.4.2022
OME
- Top 10 Winners (age category) with overall Champions 8.11.2022
OBE
- Top 10 Winners (age category) with overall Champions 8.1.2022
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General Resources
- 2022 Ohio Youth Skillathons Flyer (posted 5.17.2022)
ANIMAL SCIENCE TEAM FACTSHEETS
NUTRITION
OTHER
Ruminants
BEEF
DAIRY
GOAT
SHEEP
Non-Ruminants
DOG
POULTRY
RABBIT
SWINE
Equine
- Learning Lab Kit
- Resource Book's
- Horse Smarts: An Equine Reference and Youth Activity Guide by American Youth Horse Council (AYHC)
- Illustrated Dictionary of Equine Terms by New Horizons Equine Education Center, Inc., Alpine Publications
- Horse Anatomy, A Coloring Atlas by R. Kainer and T. McCracken, Alpine Publications
- Feeding and Care of the Horse (2nd Edition)Â by L.D. Lewis, Wiley-Blackwell
Social Media
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Ohio 4-H Skillathon Team
2022Â Ohio 4-H Skillathon Team
2022 Ohio 4-H Skillathon Team
The Ohio 4-H State Skillathon Team recently traveled to #NAILE to compete in the National 4-H Skillathon Contest, where they earned 5th high in identification, 6th high in quality assurance, 10th high in evaluation, and 9th overall team. Team member Jael Michelson received the honors of being named 12thhigh individual. Congratulations to this team for representing #Ohio4H at the national contest!
Competing members this year included:Â
-John SmockÂ
-Adrianna MeyerÂ
-Jael MichelsonÂ
-Molly BroadmanÂ
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A special thank you to our coaches for their dedication to the team.Â
-Benjamin Wenner
-Â Andrea Rees
-Hunter Frobose
If you are interested in becoming a part of future State Skillathon teams, plan to compete in at least 1 of the Ohio State Fair #Skillathons in beef, swine, sheep, or goats. You must be at least 14 years old by Jan 1 and need to place in the top 3 for your age group to qualify for the team in August.
If you would like to help support future 4-H'ers studying and traveling to compete at NAILE for the National 4-H Skillathon Contest, consider making a tax-deductible contribution today:Â https://go.osu.edu/donatestate4hskillathons
Contact: Dr. Benjamin Wenner (Dept. of Animal Sciences, wenner.20@osu.edu)Â or MacKenzie Dore (Program Assistant, dore.12@osu.edu).