Sibling 4-H'ers learn from experiences

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Posing with their 4-H livestock projects are (clockwise) Brandon, Brittani, and Brock Otto. The family has worked hard for their achievements, including overcoming a terrible wreck.

October 3, 2003 -- If you're looking for a family involved in 4-H who is winning "against all odds," look no farther. Brittani, 17, Brandon, 15, and Brock, 11, Otto of Fayetteville will be at the top of the list.

On a trip to a Louisiana livestock show this past July, a family venture which combined vacation and competition, their pickup truck was hit by another vehicle, steered by a drunk driver, that had crossed over four lanes of traffic. The crash flipped the Otto's truck completely over, with the trailer and animals landing on top of the truck.

Miraculously, no one was seriously injured, although Brittani was transported to a hospital for observation. With the pickup truck a complete loss, friends and fellow Brangus owners arrived to transport the Ottos on to the Louisiana show, where they went ahead with the competitions.

All of the Otto kids joined 4-H as soon as they were of age, and they, laughingly, said it was just a "given." Both mom, Cheryl, and dad, Randy, had shown animals in 4-H when they were growing up, and are rearing their children to love animals and be involved in 4-H, too.

Brittani started out showing Shorthorn cattle, but progressed on to Brangus heifers a couple of years ago. Brandon has always shown Brangus, and Brock shows sheep ... for now.

Although the herd consists of about 13 show heifers, two steers and three goats, the Ottos are concentrating on the Brangus cattle and goats. Brandon said the hardest thing for them, now, is trying to train the steers, and Brittani agreed.

The Ottos attend shows as many weekends as possible, throughout the year, and are racking up points in the Texas Club Calf Association circuit.

While both Brittani and Brandon belong to the Fayette County 4-H and the Fayetteville High School's Future Farmers of America chapter, each carries a full load in high school. Finding time for studies gets a bit "tricky," sometimes, since both work, part-time, at a local restaurant to earn money for entry fees for the contests.

Brandon said it is Spanish that gives him the hardest time, and it's calculus that challenges Brittani. Upon graduation, Brittani plans to attend Texas A&M University to earn a degree in either ag business or social work, and Brandon plans to attend Blinn College to study to be a ranch manager.

For now, Brittani serves as president of both the local FFA and the 4-H clubs, and Brandon is the council delegate. Brittani is, also, involved in all sports offered to girls at Fayetteville High School.

When asked what the biggest challenges are, each had a different answer. For Brittani, it is finding time to fit everything into her schedule, but she said she feels that kids shouldn't have to choose between 4-H and FFA. Each organization offers special things to improve young people, and she has enjoyed meeting new people through 4-H in several different states where they have shown their animals.

Brandon said, "If you start something, don't quit. You just keep on going." Although he enjoys meeting the people, he said that his love of animals is what keeps him active in 4-H.

Although the wreck in July is something the family will never forget, it didn't keep the Otto family of 4-H'ers down. At the Louisiana show's closing banquet, Brittani was presented the prestigious award called the "Frog and the Churn." It is presented to the person who "never gives up and overcomes extreme obstacles" to turn things around. That pretty much summarizes this family.