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  • Toni Hopper

    Three big pigs
March 2, 2010

Hoggin’ the show

Ferrell, Rice earn top swine titles at junior show

Toni Hopper

Guiding their pigs in front of the judge Tuesday, every youngster was only concerned with three things — their hog, the judge and how they were handling their animal.

“I love the thrill of not knowing what you’re going to get. You might have a good hog, but there might be one better,” said Deekota Williams, a Central High eighth-grader, who walked away with the Reserve Grand trophy in the gilt show.

Such spirit is exhibited by all the youth, whether they win or not. Even the show judge commended the youngsters upon announcing the Grand Champion winner, which was Dylan Ferrell of Comanche, who echoed the same attitude about being in the show ring.

“I knew she (my hog) looked good, but I didn’t really pay attention to any of the others,” Ferrell said. A junior at Comanche High School, Ferrell said she doesn’t feel like she’s competing since she’s focused on just her animal. Worrying about other pigs isn’t on her schedule. But getting to reconnect with her friends from other schools is something she looks forward to each county show.

“Seeing my friends from all over is fun,” she said.

Ferrell has shown hogs for eight years.

“My family is very supportive of me and I don’t know what I would do without them,” she said. Her brother, Jessee, is also a big help, she noted.

Ferrell is junior class president and dedicated to the FFA program, enhancing her skills for the future through public speaking competitions.

Both Ferrell and Williams’ families were there to help. Ferrell’s parents, Colt and Melanie, cheered loudly and appeared as excited as Ferrell when her name was announced.

It was the same for Williams.

“This (win) is the icing on the cake,” Williams said. His parents, Jerry and Vonda, said they even plan family vacations around hog shows.

“This makes children have more respect. They get up at 6:15 every morning to take care of the hogs. This makes them learn responsibilities, but they can still have fun,” Vonda said.

Central High FFA and ag instructor Ron Curry said the county show is the highlight for the youth. His students entered 80 hogs this year.

“The county show’s the one that they all want to do. They shoot for this,” Curry said.

Winning the barrow Grand Champion was Shelby Rice, from Velma-Alma, and Reserve Grand Champion was Cooper Phillips, from Central High.



— Toni Hopper is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. She can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 132 or by e-mail at: toni.hopper@duncanbanner.com.

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