Warren High sophomore leads beautification of Lake County Fairgrounds

Warren Township High School student Jenelle Brodzik received an outpouring of support Saturday in her effort to beautify the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake.

Donations of trees, perennials and shrubs from farms, landscapers and nurseries for planting at the fairgrounds were the result of her work on a mandatory project for the sophomore's Advanced Placement government and politics class at Warren's O'Plaine Road campus in Gurnee.

Brodzik, 15, of Wadsworth, said she and her father, Jon, started seeking donations from businesses early this month. She estimated she received $3,000 worth of contributions.

“We'd go in and I'd explain my project and ask if you're willing to donate, could you?” she said during a break at the fairgrounds goat barn. “And the response was outstanding.”

Saturday's work focused on enhancing areas outside the livestock barns and the main stage. Brodzik said the new fairgrounds, which opened in 2009 at Midlothian and Peterson roads, still looked a bit bare.

“It's not there yet, but we're getting there over time. We just need community involvement and some help,” said Brodzik, a longtime 4-H Club member who started showing rabbits and chickens at the annual Lake County Fair when she was 7 and plans to be in the swine barn this year.

At least 40 adults and teenagers participated in planting the shrubs, trees and flowers. Lake County Fair Association general manager Sheri Vyfvinkel said she was grateful to Brodzik for spearheading the volunteer work.

“We're just so impressed with Jenelle,” said Vyfvinkel.

Brodzik said she looks forward to seeing the plantings when the fair opens in late July.

“It's by far worth the effort,” Brodzik said. “Worth the work in the cold and the rain this (Saturday) morning and everything. It's outstanding just to see everything.”