Dowagiac’s Elizabeth Stockwell can add another accolade to her long list of accomplishments she has made this summer through 4-H.

The recent Dowagiac Union High School graduate captured her second consecutive small animal showmanship sweepstakes award Friday evening at the Cass County Fair, beating out three other competitors — including her younger brother, Jonathan, who came in third place. Stockwell qualified for the sweepstakes on Wednesday, after winning the champion showmanship award in the rabbit show.

“It is really exciting,” Stockwell said about her victory Friday. “The four of us [in the sweepstakes] have worked together a lot, so it was great to spend some time with them.”

Taking second place was Dowagiac’s Danielle Lamb, who qualified in the cat category. Also in the sweepstakes was Edwardsburg’s Zoe Pegura, who qualified for the contest at the dog show.

Stockwell, a member of North Red Hill, has qualified for the sweepstakes twice, winning the top award both times, she said. Last year, she entered the competition as the champion cat showman.

In comparison to the other animal shows taking place throughout fair week, the small animal sweepstakes requires competitors to show off their knowledge about not one, but four animals: dogs, cats, rabbits and poultry.

“It goes at a much faster pace than the usual shows,” Stockwell said. “You are not asked as many questions, but you definitely have some tough competition.”

A longtime veteran of the fair, Stockwell has experience showing all but dogs at the fair — though that does not mean she goes easy on the books preparing for the competition. Since qualifying earlier that week, she had spent the evening hours brushing up on her knowledge about the small animals in order to impress the judges Friday.

Right on her heels this year was her brother, Jonathan, who qualified for the show for his poultry showmanship. While for years she has shared her knowledge and advice with her sibling, he is beginning to strike out more on his own now as they begin vying for the same top spot, Stockwell said.

“The judge even told me ‘watch out for him,’” Stockwell said. “If he keeps doing what he is doing he is going to be tough competition in the future.”

The showmanship award capped off what has been a tremendous fair week for the Dowagiac woman. In addition to taking top showman at the rabbit show, she also took home the top award in the poultry show the next day. In addition, two of her still exhibits — a portfolio on teen leadership and her cinnamon rolls — won best of show.

Her achievements during fair week are on top of the other projects she has participated the last few months with 4-H, including winning a state award for her series of essays about poultry in June as well as touring Washington D.C. with the 4-H citizenship program the following month.

With two more years of eligibility left, Stockwell will have a chance to keep her streak alive next year — though she said her focus next year will remain the same as it has always been, to just enjoy the experience of sharing her passion for showing animals with the rest of the community.

“It is nice to win, but it is even better to have fun and learn as much as you can,” she said.