The all-women 4-H livestock show charity group DeWitt Divas will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its operation at the 2027 Cuero Livestock Show, according to group founder Dr. Phylis B. Canion.
“It’s so exciting,” Canion said after the group helped sponsor the 2026 show by rewarding the raisers of several animals. “When we first started out, we were not received that well, but now other syndicates $8,000 for the 2026 show that went to the exhibitors of two pigs, a steer and a pen of chickens. Some of the money by the group also was distributed as “add-ons” to contenders who had not done as well as other 4-H students had “to make it even,” she said.
DeWitt Divas will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the all-women 4-H livestock show charity group at the 2027 Cuero Livestock Show. The group is pictured here in 2004 during the early years of operation. Courtesy Photo ask to join in with us.” Canion said the group raised about
No one in the group takes possession of any animals, noted Canion, who in her youth raised lambs as a 4-H student. Animals raised by 4-H students and sold at livestock shows go for amounts higher than market value, and community organizations and local businesses often make donations to ensure the students get a good return on their investments.
“It’s all to help the kids,” said Canion, who is a certified nutritional consultant. “It’s a great thing we do. I love it, and the kids are so appreciative. It’s very rewarding to get the thank you notes from them.”
Canion said she founded the group in the early 2000s by asking other professional women she knew if they would like to join her in helping sponsor 4-H students’ livestock show activities. The first year, only about $1,000 was raised, she said.
“As we grew, it got bigger and bigger,” Canion said. “Now, it’s great.”
Canion said the group is looking forward to the 25th anniversary and always looking for new members of the women’s group who are interested in helping 4-H students. Email docphylis@ gmail.com for information.
The 2026 members are: Nancy Stefka, Chris Buenger, Kay Walker, Ann Pennell, Karen Koenig, Stacy Cordes, Pat Wessels, Shirley Crain, Sandra Tate, Chandra Carbonara, Sheryl Winslow, Mary Beth Finney, Peggy Basham, Karla Davis, Kathy Ozuna, Dee Sager, Kathy Dunn, Lisa Knesse, Mary McCurdy, Dawn Draper, Laurie Pokluda, Nan Hartman, Cathy Celauro, Nancy Blackwell, Sara Post Meyer, Kay Lapp Arndt, Polly Laging, Cindy Henry Tresa Urbanovsky, Kay Tillman, Amy Crain, Errol John Dietz (In Memory of Shirley Dietz), Gayle Batts, Peggy Mayer, Gail Morton, Sandy Hahn, Elaine Tate, Mary Hancock, Dr. Phylis B Canion.
