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What life lessons do you feel showing livestock and being involved
with 4-H has equipped you with?
I have learned so many lessons from showing livestock, but the main
ones are responsibility, how to work hard, confidence, motivation, and
communication. It has been a fun
experience for me from meeting new
friends with similar interests, to working
with my animals, and celebrating my
wins in the show ring. Showing has
taught me that hard work pays off and
I see that firsthand. Because showing
is a competition, I have learned that
sometimes you win and sometimes you
lose, and also how to do both well and
graciously. I have learned to always try
my best and never give up.
You’ve had an incredibly successful
show career; what are a few of the
awards you have won that you are
most proud of?
Some of my favorite wins are showmanship
wins, which is based on how well my
animal and I work together. The judges
also ask questions in showmanship so
I have to think quickly and be confident
in my answers. I have to have knowledge
of my animals, feeding, and the livestock
industry to answer their questions. I
won the 11- year-old beef showmanship
with my steer, Blake, and the 11-year-old
goat showmanship with my doe, Phoebe.
Both of my steers that year were winners,
too. Dixie National 2016 was a special
year for me, and I was also proud to be
in the top 20 at the Junior National
Simmental Show in the intermediate showmanship class that
same year.
Another one of my favorite wins was this November at the North
American Livestock Expo in Louisville, Kentucky. My Simmental
heifer, Layla, won her division. We were able to stand on the green
shavings and compete in the championship drive. Every summer,
I go to Be A Champ Camp at Connors College for a showmanship
and grooming camp. I was also proud of winning the grooming
contest at Be A Champ Camp in Oklahoma in my age division.
Many kids compete for a spot in the sale of champions every year,
and it’s always one of my goals. I have been
able to participate in the sale the last three
years. Over the last three years, I have had
two goats and two steers in the sale. The
Dixie National Sale of Champions is such
a fun and rewarding day for my parents
and me because there is a lot of excitement
as I enter the show ring.
Caring for and exhibiting livestock is
incredibly time-consuming. How do you
balance your responsibilities at home,
responsibilities with your animals, and
also your school responsibilities?
Showing livestock takes lots of time and
commitment. I don’t have much spare time.
I’m very busy after school with feeding,
grooming, and practice. I am also a member
of Germantown Middle School Show Choir.
We have four concerts per year, as well as
after school practice to prepare. My parents
help me keep track of my show schedule.
I do miss school a few days for shows, and
I have to be sure I get all my make-up
assignments completed.
Have you made friends in different areas of
the nation because of your showing career?
Showing has expanded my circle of friends
from Mississippi and also other parts of the
nation. I spent my 10th, 11th, and 12th
birthdays at show camps in Oklahoma.
My parents take me and my calf (along with
all my supplies) and I spend four days with one hundred kids from
across the nation. Showing has opened doors to travel. I love to visit
farms and livestock sales to look for new show animals. Some of my
animals were born right here in Mississippi, but showing has lead me
to Oklahoma, Texas, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Illinois. l
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