Answer:
Category
Step-by-step explanation:
The above passage shows that the author used analogy to make "Category" as a connection between Christie and his brothers and sisters. That's because the author shows how proud Christie is to be added to the category that her brother and sisters are meeting. All her brothers and sisters have already won first place in a competition and that categorizes them as champions. When Christie won the 4-H blue ribbon, she could be counted in the same category.