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Walker County Fair Tab24 March 27, 2016 Huntsville Item

2016

Walker County Fairand RodeoMarch 31-april 9 Walker county Fairgrounds

Walker County Fair Tab2 March 27, 2016 Huntsville Item Huntsville Item March 27, 2016 23Walker County Fair Tab


“Investment in our youth through community involvement.” That’s been the slogan of the Walker County Fair since its inception in March of 1979.

Current Walker County Fair Association president Rusty Davis and several of his friends came up with that idea more than 35 years ago and they believe it’s still a good motto for their favorite organization.

In its 38-year existence, the Walker County Fair Association has given away more than $7 million in scholarships to Walker County students.

“I’ve always said in all of these years, if we helped one child it’s been worth it,” Davis said recently as he busily prepared for the opening of the 2016 fair. “If we helped a child to be someone or have self-motivation to make something out of themselves, it’s been worth it all.”

With the Walker County Fair and Rodeo set to begin this week, students

are putting the final touches on their projects, which they’ve been working

on tirelessly throughout the last year. Whether it be for the various livestock

shows or one of the many nonlivestock and competitive events WCFR has to of-fer, there is something for every student to participate in and learn from. That’s what makes the WCFR such a unique event.

It’s through these various competi-tions that students are able to tap into their creativity, learn about responsibil-ity, hard work and perseverance, among many other important lessons. It helps the students grow and develop impor-tant skills that can be used both inside and outside the classroom.

“I think the students get a sense of what it means to work long and hard on something,” New Waverly ISD Superintendent Darol Hail said. “The value of seeing a project through from its beginning to its end. They might not realize it at the time, but they also get a sense of working within and for the community. They develop friendships

Huntsville Item March 27, 2016 21Walker County Fair Tab

Valuable life lessons are learned every year at Walker County FairBy Marissa NuNez

[email protected]

ITEM FILE PHOTONew Waverly ISD student Jenna Drane reacts after being named Walker County Fair Queen at the Opening Ceremony of last year’s fair.

See LESSONS, page 17

down the road by working with these animals. They have to feed them, make sure they get proper nutrition, make sure they constantly have clean water on a daily basis, monitor their health and take care of the facili-ties.

“They also have to work on handling so they can ex-hibit the animal. It’s lots of fun, but lots of hard work.”

Walker County youths have the option of raising steers, swine, lambs, goats, broilers and rabbits in the market meat shows. Each show is divided into weight classes and the top two places in each class advance to the finals where grand and reserve grand champions are crowned.

“In the meat market competition, judges are looking for muscle and type of animal the consumer needs and desires,” Lepley said. “They are also looking for con-formation that the animal is capable to get that muscle to the end of the market process.”

The top 15 animals in each meat market show are selected for the premium sale, which will be held April 7 at 7 p.m. in the main building at the fairgrounds.

Local businesses and residents bid to pay top dollar

LIVESTOCK Continued from page 5

ITEM FILE PHOTOCade Johnson leads his goat around the arena during the final selection process of the meat goat show during last year's Walker County Fair and Rodeo. Johnson’s goat took home the title of Reserve Champion and first place in the medium-weight division.See BEST, page 22


2016 WALKER COUNTY FAIR SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Sunday, March 27Noon — Walker County Team Roping(Rain Out Day/Arena)Noon — Academic Rodeo Essays Due(must be received NOT postmarked by this date)

Monday, March 285 p.m. — Parade Entry Deadline (Cole Insurance)

Tuesday, March 292 p.m. — Barrel Racing Slack, Steer Roping (Rodeo Arena)6 p.m. — Queen’s Press Party7 p.m. — Committeeman’s BBQ & Media Appreciation(Main Bldg.)

Wednesday, March 309 a.m. — Rodeo Slack (Arena)5 p.m. — Adult & Youth Clothing Entries Due(Fabric Carousel, Downtown)6 p.m. — Opening Ceremonies Rehearsal (Main Bldg.)Anytime Commercial Exhibits Move-in & Set up

Thursday, March 319 a.m. — Rodeo Slack (Rodeo Arena)3:30 p.m. — Mutton Bustin’ Entry Deadline5-10 p.m. — Carnival Open-Sneak Preview5-9 p.m. — Scramble Heifer Check-in (Livestock Barn)5:30 p.m. — Parade Line-up7 p.m. — WCFA Parade (Downtown Huntsville)All Day Commercial Exhibits Move-in & Set upNO ADMISSION TO THE FAIRGROUNDS AFTER 10 P.M.

Friday, April 19 a.m. — Slack Barrels (Rodeo Arena)7-9 a.m. — Baked & Canned Goods Youth/Adult Check-in

(Main Bldg.)8-10 a.m. — Supervised Projects Move-in11 a.m.-5 p.m. — Quilts Check-in (Fabric Carousel,

Downtown)Noon — Commercial Exhibits in Place4 p.m. — General Admission Begins4 p.m. — Special Kids Rodeo (Main Bldg.-Invite Only)4-5 p.m. — Fine Arts Check-in (Main Bldg.)5 p.m.-midnight — Carnival Opens5-7 p.m. — Live Entertainment-Presley Lewis(Acoustic Café)5-9 p.m. — Children’s Barn Yard/Petting Zoo

5 p.m. — Baked &Canned Goods results posted5:30 p.m. Scramble Heifer Participant Check-in(Livestock Barn)6 p.m. — Sweet Shop Opens (Main Bldg. Concession)6 p.m. — Fine Arts Judging (Main Bldg.)6 p.m. — WCFA Prince & Princess Contest(Main Bldg.)6-7:30 p.m. — Chuck Wagon Cook-Off & Dinner7:30 p.m. — First Performance PRCA RodeoWalker County Youth Calf Scramble9 p.m.-midnight — WCFA Kick Off Dance –Jake

Worthington Featuring Jack Worthington Band &

Visit www.walkercountyfair.com for updatesDates and times of events are subject to change

and connections that last, in many cases, beyond their time in public school.

“For some, it can be a calling into a vocation that is connected to what they have studied and learned,” Hail added. “For others, it’s the memories and relation-ships. And for some others, it will be the thrill of suc-cess and the rewards it brings. There is no shortage of great things that comes from the WCFR.”

The county fair has come to play a significant event in the lives of the students, faculty and staff of New Waverly ISD. Each year, the district takes off the entire week the fair is held due to a majority of Bulldogs par-ticipating in the fair and rodeo.

Last year, New Waverly ISD students walked away with grand champion and reserve grand champion ti-tles in a handful of livestock shows. They also earned top honors in nonlivestock competitions, including New Waverly’s own Jenna Drane earning the title of 2015 Walker County Fair Queen after impressing the judges with her many academic and extracurricular ac-complishments.

“The WCFR has been significant for many of our


LESSONS Continued from page 4

ITEM FILE PHOTOMorgean Shultz keeps a close eye on the judge while leading her lamb around the livestock arena of the Walker County Fairgrounds last year during the market lamb show. Shultz took home the title of Reserve Champion for her hard work.See LEARNED, page 18


fair and rodeo with Jessie Johnson.Beaver, who was inducted to the Pro

Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2000, won eight world championships, including three All-Around titles.

Brazile is a 13-time PRCA All-Around Cowboy world champion and was the 2015 National Finals Rodeo All-Around Cowboy Champion.

At just 24 years old, Price, a former Sam Houston State University cowboy and Huntsville native, has already struck it rich, taking home $600,000 after win-ning a riding event at The American ro-deo at AT&T Stadium in Arlington two years ago.

Additionally, Jayne, who also com-peted collegiately for the Bearkats, ad-vanced to his first National Finals Rodeo last December.

Those are just a few of the famil-iar names who have made stops in Huntsville for the Walker County Rodeo.

Over the years, Huntsville’s annual

rodeo has become more and more well-known among the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) circuit.

“I think in the last five or six years, it’s really taken off,” McCaffety said. “The Walker County Rodeo was voted top five last year among cowboys and cowgirls in the state of Texas.”

Before the prime-time shows kick off Friday night, there will be slack compe-tition in the arena at the Walker County Fairgrounds, beginning Tuesday with

barrel racing and steer roping. That gets underway at 2 p.m., then Wednesday, a full day of slack — tie-down roping, team roping and steer wrestling — kicks off at 9 a.m.

At the end of the week, the PRCA rodeo performances will kick off Huntsville’s version of “The Greatest Show On Dirt.”

Of the several events that will take place are bareback riding, steer wres-tling, team roping and tie-down roping, as well as saddle bronc, bareback and bull riding.

The rodeo performances will be-gin at 7:30 p.m. on both days. Tickets are on sale now at Cavender’s, First National Bank, First National Bank – West, Huntsville Farm Supply, New Waverly Feed, Adams Furniture and The Trailer Store.

“I don’t expect anything less,” McCaffety said. “I think this year, we’re going to have a good rodeo and I hope to have a good turnout. We’ll be using the same (stock) contractor, Stace Smith. You’ll see a lot of the things as you did last year.”

Huntsville Item March 27, 2016 15Walker County Fair Tab

RODEO Continued from page 13

ITEM FILE PHOTOSome of the world’s top cowboys will stop in Huntsville this week to compete for the prize money up for grabs at the Walker County Fair and Rodeo. Prime-time performances are scheduled Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.


The rodeo is coming to town.For a few days, the spotlight of the

Walker County Fair and Rodeo will shine brightly in the arena on some of the world’s best cowgirls and cowboys.

Professional cowboys and cowgirls from all over the country are coming to Huntsville to rope, ride, race and wrestle for big prize money during the rodeo, which will be held April 1-2 at the Walker County Fairgrounds.

There are two performances sched-uled this year, plus there are four days of “slack” rodeo events, where some of the world’s top rodeo athletes will compete for the same prize money as the cow-boys and cowgirls who draw spots in the prime-time performances on Friday and Saturday nights.

“We may have 100 calf ropers enter and we can only have 10 or so — a good

round number — in each performance,” Walker County Fair President Rusty Davis said. “That leaves 80 guys out. They will compete in the slack rodeo during the week. Everybody’s compet-ing for the same money.”

In past years, the Walker County Fair and Rodeo has seen plenty of elite cowboys and cowgirls of all experience levels. From Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer Joe Beaver to 23 time-world champion Trevor Brazile, the best of the best have competed in Walker County. Emerging PRCA talents such as Taylor Price and Evan Jayne come here, too.

For rodeo fans, there are plenty of big names who come here every year and show off their skills.

“Our rodeo tends to be attractive to higher-level competitors,” said Cody McCaffety, who shares responsibilities for the rodeo and arena activities for the

Thrilling pro rodeo shows coming back to townBy Gene SchallenBerG

SportS editor

ITEM FILE PHOTOSome of the world’s best cowboys — and many of the world’s baddest bulls — will be back in Walker County this week. Two performances of the professional rodeo are scheduled Friday and Saturday starting at 7:30 p.m. Slack rodeos are scheduled Tuesday through Friday. See RODEO, page 15

There's plenty of competin’ to go around at county fair

The livestock shows and pro rodeos may be the biggest draws to the Walker County Fair and Rodeo, but there are plenty of other fun and exciting com-petitions going on throughout the fair’s 10-day run.

The crowning of the 2016 fair queen will get this year’s festivities off to a flashy start before the opening ceremo-nies on Saturday at 1 p.m. The girls competing for the the prestigious fair queen title have to present a project on Saturday and answer questions from a panel of judges before those judges de-cide who Walker County’s new queen will be.

“I feel like it sets the tone for the whole fair,” said Lisa Hayman, the chairperson of the fair queen contest. “The big thing

on the opening day is the announcement of the 2016 Walker County fair queen and her court. It just uplifts everyone. We’re excited.”

From there, kids and adults will be able to show off their abilities in differ-ent ways.

On April 3, youngsters 8 and under will compete in events such as stick horse barrel racing, dummy roping, hay hauling, bouncy bull riding and goat ribbon pulling during the Little Tykes Rodeo. There will be a first-place tro-phy and second- and third-place ribbons handed out to the winners of each event with the top overall cowboy or cowgirl receiving a top-hand buckle.

Registration for the Little Tykes Rodeo will take place on April 2 at the

By Jp [email protected]

See COMPETIN', page 16


ITEM FILE PHOTOAbigail Gadbury, right, and her brother Gabriel spend some quality time with an adorable shet-land pony at the Walker County Fair Children’s Barnyard last year during the Walker County Fair. The fair kicks off its 10-day run this Thursday and for a small price, people of all ages can have a big time at the Walker County Fairgrounds.


Walker County Fair Association Rental Office from 10 a.m. to noon.

“This attracts a younger age group and there is less physical impact, so I think that’s the huge win for parents right there,” said Lauren Bartee, chair-man of the Little Tykes Rodeo.

“It allows the younger audience to participate in such events within the fair. Everyone comes away a winner with this event. The Sam Houston State University rodeo team comes out, so the kids get to work side-by-side with the SHSU rodeo members. I think that is huge.”

Kids in kindergarten through eighth grade get to display their mental acu-ity during the Academic Rodeo, which will test competitor’s math, spelling and writing skills, as well as their creativity in an arts and crafts portion on April 3 from 2 to 6 p.m.

Parents can preregister their children until Thursday or register them on the

day of the competition from 1 to 2 p.m.“It gives the kids who don’t normally

get to participate in the fair an opportu-nity to be a part of it and show off some skills they have,” Billy Hirsch, chairman of the academic rodeo, said.

“The whole reason the Walker County Fair Association exists is for the youth of Walker County. We’re always looking for ways to involve more kids. They re-ally get into it.”

For the adults, the annual Walker County Fair and Rodeo BBQ and Chili Cook-off will take place April 8 and 9. Between 60 and70 teams, accord-ing to the WCFA, each year are pitted against one another to see who can cook the best brisket, chicken, ribs and pulled pork.

There will also be prizes handed out to the team that can come up with the best tasting dessert, chili and beans.

There will also be a kids BBQ catego-ry for children 12 and under.

Registration forms can be found at walkercountyfair.com.

The teams check in from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 8 before the brisket tag-ging begins at 7 p.m. The awards will be handed out April 9 at 4 p.m.

More importantly than the competi-tion, the cook-off gives longtime friends a chance to get together for a weekend of fun.

“It brings old friends back together,” Justin Baack of the Gas Monkey Grillers team said during last year’s BBQ Cook-off competition. “We’re all spread out. This is the one time we all come togeth-er. It’s like a big reunion.”

The clothing and quilt competitions give those who are more handy with needle and thread a chance to show off their creations.

For the clothing competition, adult and youth contestants will need to have their entries ready for check-in by 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Judges will decide the best designs on April 5 at 1 p.m.

Those who want to enter in the quilt competition will need to have their cre-ations stitched up and ready to go by 5 p.m. on April 1. Judging will take place from 8 a.m. to noon on April 4.

COMPETIN' Continued from page 13

ITEM FILE PHOTO2015 Country Music Star winner Danielle Dempsey blew away the crowd while singing “Unchained Melody” last year at the Walker County Fairgrounds.

Huntsville Item March 27, 2016 7Walker County Fair TabWalker County Fair Tab18 March 27, 2016 Huntsville Item

Shotgun Rider(Main Bldg.)NO ADMISSION TO THE FAIRGROUNDS AFTER 11 P.M.

Saturday, April 29 a.m. — Walker County Fair Parade Rain-out(Downtown Huntsville)10 a.m. — General Admission Begins10 a.m.-9 p.m. — Children’s Barn Yard/Petting Zoo11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Little Tykes Rodeo Sign-up (Rental Office)Noon — Reception for Dignitaries, Exhibitors, Families and

WCFA Members (Main Bldg.)Noon-midnight — Carnival Open1 p.m. — Opening Ceremonies (Main Bldg.)Crowning of WCFA Queen3-3:45 p.m. — Mutton Bustin’ Check-In (Livestock Arena)4-5 p.m. — Meat Goat Check-in (Livestock Barn)4-6 p.m. — Mutton Bustin’ Show (Livestock Arena)5:30 p.m. — Scramble Heifer Participant Check-in(Livestock Barn)5-7 p.m. — Live Entertainment-John Slaughter(Acoustic Café)6 p.m. — Sweet Shop Opens (Main Bldg. Concession)7 p.m. — Tejano Night Celebration6-7:30 p.m. — Chuck Wagon Cook Off & Dinner7:30 p.m. — Second Performance PRCA RodeoWalker County Youth Calf ScrambleNO ADMISSION TO THE FAIRGROUNDS AFTER 11 P.M.

Sunday, April 31 p.m. — General Admission Begins1-2 p.m. — Academic Rodeo Registration1-9 p.m. — Children’s Barn Yard/Petting Zoo1-9 p.m. — Carnival Open2 p.m. — Academic Rodeo/Children’s Fair (Main Bldg.)2-3 p.m. — Lamb Check-in (Livestock Barn)4 p.m. — Little Tykes Rodeo (Rodeo Arena)6 p.m. — Meat Goat Show (Livestock Barn)NO ADMISSION TO THE FAIRGROUNDS AFTER 9 P.M.

Monday, April 4All Day Ranch Rodeo Sign-up (Deadline April 8)7-9 a.m. Broilers Check-in (Livestock Barn)8 a.m.-noon — Quilt Show Judging10 a.m. — Broiler Show (Livestock Barn)10 a.m. — Supervised Project Judging (Comm. Rm.)10 a.m.-1 p.m. — Senior Citizens’ Day (Main Bldg.)1-4 p.m. — Swine Official Weigh-in (Livestock Barn)1-5:30 p.m. — 4-H Youth Events (Main Bldg.)4 p.m. — General Admission Begins

4 p.m. — Supervised Project Awards Presentation(Livestock Show Arena)4-7 p.m. — Steer Official Weigh-in (Livestock Barn)5-10 p.m. — Carnival Open5-9 p.m. — Children’s Barn Yard/Petting Zoo6 p.m. — Market Lamb Show (Livestock Barn)6:30-8:30 p.m. — Live Entertainment – Sarah Green(Acoustic Café)NO ADMISSION TO THE FAIRGROUNDS AFTER 10 P.M.

Tuesday, April 58 a.m. — Rabbits in Place (Livestock Barn)9 a.m. — Pre-K DayRabbit Meat Pen Judging (Livestock Barn)Followed by Showmanship CompetitionSingle Rabbit Judging1 p.m. — Clothing Judging (Main Bldg.)3:30 p.m. — Style Show, Awards and Kids on Parade(Main Bldg.)4 p.m. — General Admission Begins4-6 p.m. — Horticulture Check-in (Comm. Rm.)5-10 p.m. — Carnival Open5-9 p.m. — Children’s Barn Yard/Petting Zoo6 p.m. — Market Swine Show (Livestock Barn)6-8 p.m. — Hot on Your Heels Dance Studio (Main Bldg.)6:30-8:30 p.m. — Live Entertainment–Julie Hatfield(Acoustic Café)NO ADMISSION TO THE FAIRGROUNDS AFTER 10 P.M.

Wednesday, April 69 a.m.-noon — Commercial Heifer Check-in (Livestock

Barn)9 a.m. — Kindergarten Day9 a.m. — Horticulture Judging (Comm. Rm.)1:30 p.m. — Commercial Heifer Show (Livestock Barn)4 p.m. — General Admission Begins5-9 p.m. — Children’s Barn Yard/Petting Zoo5-10 p.m. — Carnival Open6 p.m. — Steer Show (Livestock Barn)6 p.m. — Exhibition Barrel Racing (Rodeo Arena)6 p.m. — Open Barrel Racing6:30-8:30 p.m. — Karaoke w/Rob Mason (Acoustic Café)Midnight Restricted Parking in the BBQ AreaAll vehicles must be removed from the BBQ Area/RoadNO ADMISSION TO THE FAIRGROUNDS AFTER 10 P.M.

Thursday, April 74 p.m. — General Admission Begins4-5 p.m. — Fine Arts Check-out (Main Bldg.)5-9 p.m. — Children’s Barn Yard/Petting Zoo

5-10 p.m. — Carnival Open5:30-7 p.m. — Buyers’ Presale Party w/Live

EntertainmentTony Ramey (Main Bldg.)7 p.m. — Premium Junior Livestock Sale (Main Bldg.)NO ADMISSION TO THE FAIRGROUNDS AFTER 10 P.M.

Friday, April 88 a.m.-5 p.m. — BBQ Teams Check-in4 p.m. — General Admission Begins4:30-5 p.m. — Domino Tournament Sign up (Main Bldg.)5 p.m.-midenight — Carnival Open5-9 p.m. — Children’s Barn Yard/Petting Zoo5 p.m. — BBQ Chief Cooks MeetingBBQ Teams in Place5:30 p.m. — Domino Tournament (Main Bldg.)6 p.m. — Scramble Heifer Show (Livestock Barn)6 p.m. — Entry/Parking in rear of Fairgrounds restricted to

PERMIT Only7 p.m. — BBQ Tagging of Briskets8 p.m. — BBQ Cook-off Calcutta (BBQ Stage)NO ADMISSION TO THE FAIRGROUNDS AFTER 11 P.M.

Saturday, April 910 a.m. — General Admission Begins10 a.m.-noon — Photography Check-out10 a.m.-9 p.m. — Children’s Barn Yard/Petting Zoo10:30 a.m. — BBQ Cook-off Judging BeginsNoon-midnight — Carnival OpenNoon-3 p.m. — Quilt Pick-upNoon — Premium Non-Livestock Sale Begins Followed by

Freezer Sale (Main Bldg.)4-6 p.m. — Live Entertainment-Kenna Danielle(Acoustic Café)4:30 p.m. — BBQ Awards (BBQ Stage)5 p.m. — Monetary Add-On Close (Livestock Office)5:30-6 p.m. — Silent Auction for re-sale animals(Livestock Office)6 p.m. — Ranch Rodeo (Rodeo Arena)7 p.m. — Black Heritage Music CelebrationNO ADMISSION TO THE FAIRGROUNDS AFTER 10 P.M.

Sunday, April 107-9 a.m. — Livestock Released(All held until Sunday A.M.)Clothing and Supervised Projects Check-out(Comm. Rm.)1-9 p.m. — Carnival Open – SUPER SUNDAY3-5 p.m. — Clean Up Day/Top Hand Award MANDATORY(Students, Officers and Chairmen Required)Any Time Commercial Exhibits Move-out

families over the years. Many of our stu-dents participate in the various activities and most of them have had great suc-cess in some form or another,” Hail said. “The commitment level of the students and their families is incredible. I would also say that our teachers (agricultural department) who work with these stu-dents in preparing for the fair are abso-lutely dedicated to see them all succeed.

“The FFA and 4-H programs have impacted many of our students,” Hail added. “The WCFR allows them the op-portunity to display some of the many skills they have learned. And just as im-portant is the fact that it’s the local com-munity and change to work within our own county.”

Right alongside their fellow Walker County students are Hornets from Huntsville ISD whose lives are also greatly impacted by the Walker County

LEARNED Continued from page 17

ITEM FILE PHOTOYoung Cassidy Pool, center, earned the top prize in last year’s rabbit show at the Walker County Fair and Rodeo. Pool and her brother Cody, stu-dents at Huntsville’s Samuel Walker Houston Elementary, will be back this year to defend their titles as grand and reserve rabbit show champions.See FAIR, page 20


Fair. Hornets also earned top honors throughout the rodeo’s events, includ-ing Tori Paul, who took home grand champion for her pen of market broilers, Cassidy Pool and her brother Cody, who finished first and second in last spring’s rabbit show, and Huntsville High School alumna Keara Wheaton, whose steer earned reserve grand champion title in the heavyweight division.

“The WCFR is an investment in our youth and our community as many par-ents, students, staff and local churches and businesses come together to provide a great opportunity for our students. The fair is more than an event. It is truly an experience for all who participate,” HISD Superintendent Howell Wright said.

“Participating students build future-ready skills, including personal respon-sibility, presentation, collaboration, leadership and perseverance,” Wright added. “Additionally, students who show

animals or projects have an opportunity to sell their project and use their money for personal investments, including col-lege savings. Many adults in HISD and the community support our students through the HISD Buyers Group that has raised funds to assist in the purchase of student projects.”

Over the past few months, Huntsville ISD has embarked on a mission to trans-form the district into an organization that engages students through meaning-ful and hands-on curriculum through its Strategic Design Process. Wright says the Walker County Fair aligns with that overall goal by having the participating students engage in activities that are rel-evant to a possible career in the agricul-ture industry.

“The WCFR aligns with the premise of our Engaged Learning Model that requires students to learn through work that is meaningful and relevant to them,” Wright said. “They are not the same thing, but they’re similar as students build future-ready skills through partic-ipation in the WCFR and our Huntsville Engaged Learning Model.

“In the Walker County Fair, and through our Engaged Learning Model, students must collaborate, solve prob-lems, present to adults and transfer their learning through the design of meaning-ful projects.”

Educational opportunities for stu-dents young and old are everywhere at the Walker County Fair. In addition to all of the shows and competitions, the

fair hosts fun and exciting field trips for local prekindergarten and kindergarten students every spring.

Hail loves the fair and everything that goes with it.

“The benefits are unbelievable,” Hail said. “Students have the opportunity to work hard and invest themselves deeply into whatever task they have chosen.

“I don’t think we should ever under-estimate the value of really committing to a project and learning what it takes to see that through — the challenges, the excitement, even sometimes the disap-pointments — they all teach great life lessons. Students, of course, have the opportunity to also raise money for their post-high school education, whatever path that may be. They also get a sense of community on multiple levels. There is the actual community itself in Walker County that they are helping to build. Then, there is the community or group that develops within their own projects — the shared challenges of trying to raise a pig, for example.

“I believe all these lessons help stu-dents gain confidence in themselves and find more success.”

FAIR Continued from page 18

“The benefits are unbelievable. ... I don’t think we should ever underestimate the value of really committing to a project

and learning what it takes to see that through — the challenges, the excitement, even sometimes the disappointments —

they all teach great life lessons."DAROL HAIL / New Waverly ISD Superintendent

The beginning of April is always a special time for the young people in Walker County.

It’s an opportunity to show off all the hard work they have poured into the projects they’ve been doing, and the animals they’ve been raising, to showcase at the Walker County Livestock Show.

Beginning each day when the roosters are crowing until the last bit of sunlight disappears from the sky, these youngsters have the responsibility to care for and nurture an animal with the hopes that it displays the type of characteristics the judges will be looking for to bring home top honors at the county fair.

These dedicated members of the Future Farmers of America and 4-H organizations will compete for trophies, sparkling belt buckles and a spot in the pre-mium sale beginning Friday at the Walker County Fairgrounds.

“It’s a real educational process,” Walker County ex-tension agent Reggie Lepley said. “These youngsters learn to take care of themselves and their family on

Walker County Livestock Show brings out best in area youthBy Cody Stark

[email protected]

ITEM FILE PHOTOShelby Lepley happily shakes the hand of judge Shawn Ramsey after her goat “Jeffery” was named Grand Champion of the meat goat show in the livestock show at the Walker County Fair last year. Lepley also took home first place in the heavyweight division last year as well, beating out a tough class of competitors.See LIVESTOCK, page 21


to help these young exhibitors with the costs of raising their animals, plus tuck a little away for college.

For those young people interested in other aspects of raising livestock, the fair has the commercial and scramble heifer shows.

“In these breeding shows, the judges are looking for fertility and production ability,” Lepley said. “They are looking for females that can produce offspring with desired muscle condition and pat-tern.”

The livestock shows kicks off Saturday with the goat show at 6 p.m. The broiler show is set April 4 at 10 a.m. followed later in the day by the lamb competition at 6 p.m.

Rabbits will be judged April 5 at 9 a.m. and the swine show will take place at 6 p.m. The commercial heifer show is slated for 1:30 p.m. on April 6 and steers will be judged at 6 p.m. The scramble heifer show is scheduled for April 8 at

6 p.m.Last year’s grand champion win-

ners at the livestock show were Kendyll Williams (steer); Nicole Billnoske (swine); Cody Corcoran (lamb); Shelby

Lepley (goat); Tori Paul (broilers); Cassidy Pool (rabbits); and Katelyn Klawinsky (commercial heifers. Reserve grand champion honors went to Keara Wheaton (steer); MaClaye Hatcher

(swine); Morgean Schultz (lamb); Cade Johnson (goat); Gabby Lergerski (broil-ers); Cody Pool (rabbits) and Logan Slaughter (commercial heifers).

BEST Continued from page 21

Shelby Lepley and her Grand Champion goat pose for pictures with family, friends and supporters during the Walker County Fair and Rodeo. Every year, talented students from all across Walker County are rewarded for months of hard work and dedica-tion when they bring their prized livestock to show at the Walker County Fair.

ITEM FILE PHOTO

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