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Young livestock exhibitors receiving more than just trophies from show-ring efforts |
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By MANDY JOHN | Central Texas Edition |
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January 30, 2003 -- The 2003 McLennan County Junior Livestock Show and Youth Fair took place Jan. 20-24 at the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo Show Pavilion in Waco. This show, which has been sponsored by the Youth Activities Association of McLennan County since 1980, allowed kids to exhibit their animals, giving them the opportunity to reach their desired goal - the Sale of Champions. "These kids have worked for a year on getting their animals ready," stated Mackie Bounds, vice president of the show and the sales committee chairman. "When the sale ended last year these kids immediately started working on this year's sale. The show is the result of hard-working volunteers and dedicated kids who want to put their animals on display. "I have found that this show is very family-oriented. Parents, grandparents, and ag teachers are all here to help the kids prepare for the judging. It's a great event." He said that he is part of the show because he likes what it teaches kids. "The kids learn what every employer wants their workers to know, which is responsibility and accountability. They learn what they need to know in order to be successful in the future. "Since the beginning of this show, we have always had the Sale of Champions. This is where the top placing animals are sold to the highest bidder. The first year we had the sale we raised about $30,000. Last year we raised approximately $275,000 with the champion steer going for $41,000. Our goal this year is to raise $300,000. The youth who earn this honor deserve your support. They are a fine group of kids who have worked so hard to make it here. "The buyers will tell you that being a part of this auction allows you to invest in the future of our community. Otherwise, we might as well just give up. It's important to help make this show and sale a great success." Bounds gave two ways to help with the sale, either be the highest bidder or try to add on to the bid by $10 or $20. "We have a whole bunch of dedicated youth, as well as supportive parents and ag teachers here," explained Scott Short, president of the show. "It's great to see this much community involvement at an event like this. "My son started showing nine years ago. I have been on the board for four years and this is my first year as president. I am very proud to be involved with this organization. "These kids have worked hard to get here. They have to get up early to feed and take care of their animals. They learn how important it is to be responsible for them and how to properly care for them. "They are competitive, but they also learn good sportsmanship here. It is nice to see kids from different 4-H, FFA, and FCCLA chapters getting together and helping each other out. Even though they are all vying for the top spot, they know how to be helpful to each other." (Editor's Note: Results of show and sale will be featured in Country World as soon as they are available.) |
