School attending & grade:
Senior at Western Illinois University

Dream job?
My dream job would be to become an animal chiropractor. This way I will still be involved in the industry and be able to give back to it because it’s given so much to me!

If you could enter the ring to a song what song would it be?
Thunderstruck is always a song that gets me excited in the ring so that would probably be it!


This or That
Early Mornings or Late Nights
Late Nights

Washing or Clipping
Washing

Brush or Towel
Brush

How long of a drive was it?
Des Moines: 7 hours. Louisville: 2.5 hours. Springfield: 3 hours

Favorite thing about the trip?
My favorite thing about going to the Exposition, CPS, and NJSS are the people. No matter the age, I always look forward to interacting with those who share the same passion for the same industry I do.

Do you have superstitions?
I really do not have any superstitions for myself on show day, but our family always waters with the same blue water bucket that we have had since Nalaney and I started showing. That bucket has seen many miles and many pigs and we always make sure it’s one of the first things in the trailer before a show!

Favorite show shirt?
I have an array of show shirts, but my favorite is a bright peach colored one. That is the first one I grab on show day.

Favorite product used on your animal?
As I get older I look forward to seeing the young kids that we are helping and how they show the same fire in their eyes for the ring that I’ve had growing up. Watching them grow into the showmen they are is all I can ask for and I absolutely love standing ring side and cheering them on!  

Favorite celebration restaurant?
Definitely nerd clusters.

Who did you enjoy seeing the most at the show?
My friends

Favorite gas station food on a road trip:
Donuts and my Mom gets coffee

Tell us a little bit about your champion:
Just recently I exhibited the Supreme Overall Gilt at the Exposition, Supreme Overall Barrow at CPS, Reserve Cross Gilt at NJSS, and Fifth Overall Barrow at NJSS. I can't even begin to say what this summer has meant to me. Although very bittersweet, as that was the last time I will step into those rings as a junior exhibitor I cannot help but be so thankful for everything this industry has done for me. I truly believe there is no better place than in the barn and if there's one thing I can pass on is to set those goals high and keep working for them because it will pay off!

This or That
Tanning Light or Sun Tan
Sun Tan

Shavings or Pellets
Shavings

Gilts or Barrows
Gilts

Purebred or Crossbred
Purebred

Age: 19

Hometown: Robinson, IL (Lake Land College

With this being one of the major shows of the summer, explain how excited were you to take home a Top 5?
It was a great privilege to take home a Top 5 banner at the first ever NJS. With this year turning out the way it did, I didn’t know if I would be able to show anything we had been pouring our hearts and souls into, but our industry pulled through and put on a great show, and it truly means the world to have had the success that I did this year!

What was something new you tried this year since you were able to be home more often than normal?
We stuck to our roots the whole time. There was nothing we did different other than have longer to work on this set! Just because the show was later didn’t mean that we would quit, but it made us push harder to be competitive in the end!

What is your favorite show product to use?
My favorite show product is the handy dandy brush. I know it sounds cheesy but having a brush is a necessity for me not only outside of the ring but inside as well. You most likely will never find me without a brush in the showring!

When I grow up I want to be....
After graduating LLC I plan to attend a four year college to study Ag Business then come back home to continue helping my family and more particularly my sister end her show career and help her fulfill her dreams in the ring! I also plan to help with our family business and continue to learn from some great mentors!

Showing animals has helped me to develop......
Showing animals has helped me develop leadership skills. This industry has shown me what it is to be a leader and how many little eyes are always looking up to you. I was that little girl who sat ringside watching the intermediate and senior showmanship to better my showmanship skills, and that is exactly what I want to be for the next set of young showman. I want to be their mentor!

What's your favorite Barn Chore:
My favorite chore is washing and working skin and hair. Skin and hair is something that everyone sees, and for someone to come up and compliment you on skin and hair is a big deal because that is not taken lightly in this industry.

Who is the person you look to for advice right before you go in the ring for that last minute pep talk or pointer:
My parents are always there to give that last minute pep talk/pointer. They always have one last word to say before I go in the ring to make sure I don’t “screw it’s up!” And I’m always there to assure them “I’ve got this!”

Favorite Celebration Restaurant after a good day at the show:
You can’t go wrong with a steak so anywhere with a steak is always a go too after a big win! Especially Texas Road House

Favorite Song or Singer:
I honestly can’t say but the first singer that comes to mind it Adam Sanders! We listen to him On the Hill at Heimer Hampshires when they have an open house and if you haven’t heard him be sure to look him up because he’s going big one day!