Santa Catalina Lower and Middle School fifth-grade student Maria Paloma received three awards for her rabbits at the Monterey County Fair.
She won Reserve Champion Meat Pen for her market rabbits, Best of Show for her Flemish Giant rabbit, and best Novice Showman. She went on to sell her market rabbits at the Junior Livestock Auction.
Maria Paloma is a member of the Natividad 4-H club, which she first joined when she was 5 years old. She currently cares for 13 rabbits before and after school and is preparing for two more fairs in Santa Cruz and San Benito counties.
In addition to raising rabbits, Maria Paloma is very active in her club’s community service projects. This summer she donated more than 450 homemade rabbit treats to the SPCA and helped clean up parks from Toro Park to Asilomar.
She will receive the Rising Star and Sparks awards for her 4-H accomplishments at Presentation Day in Soledad on September 9.