Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Seth Glass rounds a barrel during the barrel racing of the August 8 Gymkhana at the Kimball fairgrounds.
Tyler Shaw (left) stands with judge Todd Ostermiller (right) and his prize-winning hog.
Each year excitement fills the arena at the Kimball County fairgrounds as residents line up to see man face off against beast during the Kimball/Banner County Fair and Rodeo.
As the announcer's voice echoes through the stands of the arena and the American flag is flown around the grounds, adults and children alike stand in reverence of the symbol of this great nation, relishing in the freedoms that it represents before readying themselves to sit on the edge of their seats as they watch dust fly as cowboys ride bucking broncs and seemingly hold on for dear life.
Though the entertainment that the fair provides draws quite a crowd and many residents focus on the thrill of the PRCA Rodeo, oftentimes there is an incredible and important element of the fair that is overlooked by the general population: the efforts of the 4-H kids.
To many, the 4-H portion of the fair may not be the most exciting aspect. However, the kids that participate in it work harder than perhaps anyone involved in the fair, spending perhaps an entire year prepping their livestock and practicing their routine for the different showmanship competitions. Though it is not a flashy, fast-paced exhibit, what the 4-H portion of the fair highlights is the commitment, responsibility and maturity of our local 4-H members, which to parents and grandparents is a point of pride concerning the younger members of our community.
It would be simple to state that these are qualities that the 4-H members would learn through the example of their parents, grandparents and other family members. However, when asked what 4-H has taught him and how he sees it shaping his future, Tyler Shaw, who walked away as the grand champion of the swine showmanship, states that the program has given him confidence and instilled in him a desire to continue on in agriculture.
"4-H has taught me leadership skills, speaking with confidence during competitions, and I'm learning a lot about industry hogs, goats and beef. What I've learned from showing hogs mostly is the nutritional aspects and just taking daily care of the hogs. My role in agriculture would have to be raising livestock. I don't know what species I'll have necessarily, but I'd like to just continue raising livestock," Shaw said.
Monica Wasilewski, who was chosen as the reserve champion for swine showmanship, states that the program and working with the animals has also taught her leadership skills along with a much more important quality of patience. The program also has helped and will continue to help Wasilewski in her future pursuits of trying to become a teacher by laying the groundwork for her to hone her teaching skills.
"4-H has taught me about being patient, never giving up and you can't get mad at them. You just stay calm, because they have minds of their own. My role in the livestock industry is to continue showing and helping younger members show and go further into teaching. I want to be a teacher," Wasilewski said.
The 4-H program shows that fair time is not only a time for entertainment and the well-attended rodeo and gymkhana, but it is also a time to show off the diligence of the local 4-H members and to commend them on their passion for agriculture, an element of the local community which, to many, is a continual source of pride.