Age: 17

Hometown: Houstonia, MO (Sweet Springs Hugh School )

With this being one of the major shows of the summer, explain how excited were you to take home a Top 5?
This was actually my first NJSA show so being fortunate enough to exhibit the Champion Crossbred Gilt and 5th Overall Crossbred Barrow was beyond my highest expectations. I was very fortunate to have the success I did and will remember that day forever.

What was something new you tried this year since you were able to be home more often than normal?
Since being home more this year I have taken on fishing with my brother more than I ever had before. I am not a huge outdoor person but it is something he has a passion for and I wanted to do what he loves with him.

What is your favorite show product to use?
My favorite show product to use, even though it is a feed, would have to be Gold Dust. It is a product that we just started using it and I am already a huge fan of it.

When I grow up I want to be....
When I grow up I want to come back home and help my parents on their farm but also start my own Hereford and Crossbred cow herd while also beginning to raise show pigs that I can sell to local youth.

Showing animals has helped me to develop......
Showing animals has done more for me than any other activity I have ever done in my life. Showing animals has taught that you truly get out of something what you put into it; if you want to be successful you must be willing to put in the work. With that being said I have also learned that even if you put in the work, you won’t always get the end result you hoped for and you have to continue working your tail off because one day it will all come together for you.

What's your favorite Barn Chore:
My favorite barn chore would have to be feeding because it amazes me with how much a pig can change just from a pound of feed a couple ounces of a supplement.

Who is the person you look to for advice right before you go in the ring for that last minute pep talk or pointer:
The person that I looked for advice right before I go into the ring is my “Big Sister” Taylor. Even though we aren’t actually siblings she is just as close to a sister to me as an actual one would be. She has been there for me through it all and I wouldn’t want anyone else to be by my side as I go through life. Even though most of the stuff she says makes me mad, I am extremely blessed to have her in my life.

Favorite Celebration Restaurant after a good day at the show:
I do not have a celebration restaurant that I specifically go to but it seems that after we show, whether we have success or not, we always seem to make our way to a Mexican restaurant of some sort.

Favorite Song or Singer:
I do not have a favorite song, but my favorite singer would definitely have to be Florida Georgia Line.