I made a blooper in last week’s edition concerning the ring of champions. That event, where FFA or 4H stock show kids assist special needs students show borrowed livestock, will be held in conjunction with the local stock show this Sunday Feb. 11, not the county show, as the article indicated. Mea culpa.
First, let me apologize to the readers who might be confused by my gobbledygook. Second, let me apologize to those hard working kids who put the ring of champions together.
It isn’t something they have to do. It only started here last year, I believe, and is the brainchild of Dayson Cash. He saw the idea at another livestock show he was participating in – he goes to a lot of shows because he’s really good at it – and he wanted to institute it here.
The idea is better because it’s something the show kids want to do, want to share with other students who might not have exposure to showing livestock. It’s better because it enriches the lives of both sets of students. And it’s better because it is fun for everyone. The student showmen with borrowed livestock fill the show barn with million kilowatt smiles. That is something that is truly priceless.
While I’m here, talking about a bunch of good kids with good work ethic and good ideas, let me take my hat off to a whole group of students who boggle my mind with their activities.
I’ve been trying to photograph some sports lately, along with school boards and stock shows and honor rolls, etc. The number of times I see kids who are involved in multiple activities is more than impressive, it is down right intimidating.
Take Dayson Cash, for example. He plays football and during the games is up and down the sidelines when he isn’t on the field, keeping his teammates fired up no matter the score. He wrestles, which takes more energy than I can fathom. He’s a good student, active in the FFA and shows livestock both at home and around the circuit. Not to mention whenever I speak to him, I am in real danger of being ma’amed to death. Just a plain good kid.
The same can be said for Jonah Pendergraft, and Rylan Peralta and Lila Winegart and Aubrey Bridges, Kiah Black and Cy Lake. I could keep going but there is only so much room in the paper.
Not all the kids here are great kids, but we have more than our fair share in Blaine County. They are what we grow best and we should all be proud of them and do everything we can to support them.
That means buying Indian tacos and Blue and Gold sausage and whatever else the students come up with as fundraisers. Bid at the bonus auction or kick in a few bucks as add-on money.
If that isn’t in the budget – things are tough all over – stop and speak to some of these kids and tell them you are proud of them. Let their parents know they have raised good kids. Sure, maybe you’ll get some strange looks at first, but you will get used to it. Trust me.