ECJLS Junior Board

Growing up in the agriculture industry has had an extreme impact on my life. Whether it is showing, judging or LDE’s, agriculture is something that consumes my day to day life and routine. With a vast majority of my time spent in the show barn, I have learned countless skills, I have had success and I have had failure. Agriculture has taught me many things, and one of those being on your lowest days, the days when you struggle to find motivation and a positive attitude, those are the days when it's most important to work your hardest. This is something that I will carry through life. It has given me a sense of grit, determination, and reliability. The first time I ever showed in Texas was at the 2020 Erath County Livestock Show, ever since then, this show has held a special place in my heart. I love seeing the benefits and impact the show has on the youth of Erath County, including myself. Seeing the progress and growth the show has made makes me beyond happy and I can not wait to see what the future holds for the Erath County Livestock Show.

Everybody interacts with agriculture and has experiences related to it. These interactions can build character and qualities. One of the most important traits that agriculture can instill in a person is the ability to be a leader. I have been blessed with many of these opportunities through my high school FFA program to prepare me to be a leader. 

Throughout my high school years, I have had many opportunities to use agriculture experiences that I have had to hone my leadership skills. One of my favorite experiences has been competing on our FFA Chapter Conducting and Milk Quality and Product teams. These two teams have taught me that a team can only be as strong as its weakest members because of this I have learned to talk to and encourage teammates to be the best they can be. I have learned that teams need proper communication and the ability to express their concerns. 

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My personal story of being a quiet, shy child who loved horses and cattle began with the family cattle operation, junior rodeos, and livestock shows. While I found it hard as a
young child to talk to adults, or really anyone, I found it easy to discuss cattle or horses with anyone who wanted to listen. This passion for cattle and horses was encouraged as I frequently served as a veterinarian’s assistant and found my “people” so to speak. As I grew, this personal passion grew into being a cattle exhibitor as well a 4-H and FFA Junior leader who was certainly interested in sharing my personal growth with others.
Without such experiences in agriculture, I firmly believe I would still be struggling to find my way and my interests. I have been involved in both challenging and rewarding aspects related to harvesting or caring for livestock. These experiences have taught me the importance of hard work, patience, and teamwork—qualities that are essential in leadership.

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From rushing to finish an ag mech project the night before the show to getting a lamb or heifer ready to compete, this show
has pushed me to learn many new skills. I’ve been involved in many aspects of the youth fair too: metal, wood, recycled, and food projects. Additionally, I have competed in the lamb, heifer, herdsman, ag mechanics, and ag science competitions. 

I would be an asset to the show because I am a hard worker and am not afraid of physical labor. I am good at seeing work that needs to be done and pitching in without being asked. I know a lot about animals and am interested in learning more. I know a lot about beef cattle, but would love to attend the dairy show and learn more about dairy cows. I enjoy meeting new people and am excited to welcome people and facilitate events.

Ever since I was 11 years old, the ECJLS was always my doorway into agriculture. By being around those who dedicate themselves in their entirety to agriculture and leadership, I was propelled to mimic the success of those above me as I grew. And following that epiphany, I’ve only improved myself to a degree which I could’ve never accomplished if I had never stepped foot into that barn. By nurturing and exhibiting livestock, I have learned so many profound skills and priceless lessons that I could never find elsewhere. Every year, that first week in January always has me in a trance. Whilst I may have always looked most forward to exhibiting my own livestock in the past, I have grown to appreciate all that the show does for me and other exhibitors alike. Regardless of if it is the common anecdotes that are ingrained in us through our day to day work, or the generosity of our community at the sale of champions, the Erath County Junior Livestock Show will always hold a special place in my heart.

I have been an active 4-H member since 4th grade as well as an FFA member since freshman year. Through my FFA and 4-H experience, I have shown goats, rabbits, as well as a beef heifer. I have also participated in the youth fair at the ECJLS in categories ranging from food to arts and crafts, as well as photography.I look forward to the opportunities that this experience will grant me, but more importantly setting an example to the younger exhibitors at the show on what they can one day achieve. I learned a lot about the behind the scenes of the show and the work it takes. I hope that my experience on the junior board last year, will help me improve on the program and guide new members how the tasks are
to be performed. I enjoyed handing out ribbons, making videos for social media, and visiting businesses to advertise for the show. I had no issue with the not so glamours work of taking out trash, scrubbing the toilets, and working in the office. It all had to be done.