Showing livestock at local fairs is a Buffalo Island tradition that has lasted for decades. Many BIC alumni can expand on their fond memories of tending to their animals and training them for competitions across the state. Showing livestock isn’t an easy job by any means. From cleaning an animal to perfection to teaching the animal to walk just right, it can be a difficult task for students, especially in the weeks leading up to a show. The extra responsibilities can be quite the challenge for students that have jobs and participate in other extracurricular activities, but the 2023-2024 show team has risen to the challenge.
Sophomore Jansen Hawkins is a member of the team and a very involved FFA student who chose to shows pigs. He was quite uncertain about showing at first, but Mr. Fires and many of his friends encouraged him. Now that he has shown pigs for two years, he is happy he made the decision to stick with it. He said his favorite part of showing is getting to miss school and be with his friends.
“My biggest challenge with showing is trying to maintain eye contact with the judge at all times. Also, trying to get your pig to listen to you.” Hawkins says.
Senior Alivia Waltrip has made goats her area of show. Alivia says that she enjoys working with her goat because he is very smart and keeps her busy. Her routine for shows is to wake up early, head to the barn and let her goat out of his pen, sit him on a stand, and see how he behaves to determine if he will do well at the show. Her least favorite part of showing is not being able to have control of what needs to be changed about her goat.
“Different judges have different opinions, which makes it difficult and kind of discouraging. It’s hard to be able to get your animal just right because each judge has different critiques,” said Waltrip.
Livestock shows have truly taught the values of hard work, dedication, and responsibility to these students. It provides many valuable life skills. That has impacted these students’ lives in an extremely positive way. The mentality of showing is quite competitive, and showing livestock teaches kids about healthy competition.
Agriculture teacher Bruce Fires has been in charge of the livestock team since he has taught in the district. Fires knows first hand the level of dedication required of the students who make the choice to show animals, and he has built up a very competitive program in his time in the school district.
“I love being able to see the kids succeed in something they put so much work into. The strengths that our show team possesses are time management, work ethic, dedication, and independence. Showing livestock offers new places to visit, meeting new people, and making connections that could possibly help in the future. I look forward to seeing all of the kids being successful and having fun,” said Fires.
The students of BIC’s agricultural program have all gone above and beyond to meet the needs of their animals. They hope to find a great deal of success in their competitions during the livestock showing season. These students are Brittni Lyerly, Alivia Waltrip, Samara Lasater, Shanan Hathcoat, Zach Walker, Leah Navarro, Hannah Shirley, Sophi McFall, Jansen Hawkins, and Addison Hawkins.
