CASSOPOLIS — A dunk tank by the Cass County Fair beef barn made a big splash, and not just with water.

Its debut last year accounted for $4,000, according to Cheryl Rogers of Niles, a Cassopolis educator and former 4-H youth agent.

Past winners of the Showmanship Sweepstakes, such as Brooke Ruggles and Cheryl’s daughter, Tiffany, the 2009 Niles High School graduate who served as national FFA vice president, were called to cool off in plenty of water at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Last year’s sweepstakes winner garnered a $100 scholarship.

“It offers a wonderful opportunity to work together,” said Rogers of the tank, which was relocated from the midway. “Once we pay our rental bills, all the money comes back to barn improvements. Whatever you earn, (your animal area gets), so it’s really to your advantage to spread the word.

“Last year, our new Supt. Tracy Hertsel raised a lot of money.

“We figured Tiffany went in the water every 30 seconds. As soon as she got out, she was back in.

“All your friends and enemies come and dunk you. We don’t make anybody sit more than 10 or 15 minutes. I even sat last year because I thought I couldn’t ask other people unless I was willing to do it, too, so a lot of my students came and got even.”