The aroma of fresh-baked cupcakes and the hum of excited chatter filled the room as young bakers from across Okmulgee County gathered on January 21 for the annual 4-H Cupcake Challenge. With teams hailing from Okmulgee, Preston, Beggs and Dewar, the competition was fierce yet fun, as 18 Junior competitors and 10 Cloverbud contestants showcased their decorating talents in a battle of creativity, precision and teamwork.
The competition brought out the best in these young decorators, and the judges had a difficult time selecting winners among the impressive entries. In the Cloverbud division, judges named Fishies 2 from Beggs, consisting of Maddy Mount and Hunter Curtis, as their favorite.
For the Junior division, two teams from Dewar took home the top honors: Sea Sisters, featuring Lakely Martin, Evie Oaks and Greelie Jones, and Farm Girls, featuring Beretta Tedlock, Scarlet Johnson and Juliet Johnson.
Both winning teams will advance to compete at the NE District Contest Days this June in Stillwater, representing Okmulgee County with their cupcake creations.
“We are so proud of all of the contestants,” organizers said about the hard work and creativity displayed by all participants.
— How the Cupcake Challenge Works The 4-H Cupcake Challenge isn’t just about taste – it’s about presentation, technique, and teamwork. Each team, made up of two to three members, must follow specific competition guidelines:
• Cupcakes arrive “naked” – no frosting, just in paper wrappers.
• Frosting must be pre-mixed but not tinted prior to the contest.
• Decorating supplies are limited to only edible items, including fondant and edible decorations.
• Teams have 30 minutes to decorate and clean up their work area.
These rules ensure a level playing field, where creativity and skill take center stage.
— Words of Encouragement from 4-H Leaders Jill Gibbons, FCS/4-H Education Leader, praised the effort of all competitors. “Everyone worked so hard and as strong cooperative teams,” Gibbons said. “It made for a tough judging contest for the judges.”
She also extended gratitude to the dedicated 4-H Leaders who helped make the event possible: Julie Norem of Preston, Brooklyn Cowan of Dewar and Tricia Buttram and Sherri Roberts of Beggs.
Additionally, Gibbons expressed appreciation for the parents and extended families who support the young competitors. “It takes a village to raise kids, and we are so blessed in our Okmulgee village,” Gibbons said.
— A Special Thanks to the Judges The competition wouldn’t have been possible without the dedicated judges, who took time to evaluate the detailed designs and creativity of the contestants. A heartfelt thank you goes to Katina Holland, Shelby Lofton and Ashley Kell.
As the competition wrapped up, smiles and sweet treats filled the room. The young bakers walked away with new skills, friendships and a sense of accomplishment, proving once again that Okmulgee County’s 4-H program continues to inspire and nurture creativity in the next generation.
With Sea Sisters and Farm Girls now advancing to the NE District Contest Days in Stillwater, the excitement continues. Keep an eye out for these talented young decorators as they take their cupcake artistry to the next level this summer.
