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  • Jarrett and Krista Sparks, of Central High, are twins competing in their last Stephens County Junior Livestock Show. Derrick Miller/The Duncan Banner

    Sparks
February 27, 2013

Sparks twins share spark for hog showing

Derrick Miller The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN —  

As with many siblings, there’s a competitive spark between twins Jarrett and Kirsta Sparks.
The brother and sister pair, who are Central High seniors, showed hogs for the last time during the Stephens County Junior Livestock Show. For them, there is a competitive spirit and a strong family tie to showing livestock.
“We’ve been carrying on the tradition,” Jarrett said. “It’s kind of like a second life for us. We play sports and we do this.”
The Sparks twins have followed generations of livestock show participants. Their grandfather, the late Freddy Garrett, a former agriculture teacher.
They were born and raised around livestock. And they have found enjoyment in the activity.
Krista did admit she wasn’t fond of getting dirty when she was younger. Despite her enjoyment of showing, she wasn’t completely hands on, which led Jarrett to help with getting her hogs ready to show.
“When I was smaller, I didn’t like getting dirty,” Krista said. “Now that I’m older, I realize I need to help.
Both said they enjoy working with hogs and enjoy being part of the agriculture team at Central High. Even though they enjoy the competition, their is some sibling rivalry.
“We kind of like to make it competitive between us,” Jarrett said.
But that competition is friendly, they agree.
In the end, both work with the animals, dividing up various duties pertinent to raising hogs. For instance, Jarrett does most of the feeding.
They hold to their zest for showing at the livestock shows. They enjoy competing and look back on their time showing hogs with fondness.
“I’ve enjoyed being able to do it for so long,” Krista said.
Although their involvement in the show may be drawing to an end, the Sparks twins aren’t the end of the line. 
Their seventh-grade sister, Kylee Sparks, is still active in showing livestock.
“Even though this is our last show, she is still our little sister and we’ll be back next year to help,” Krista said.

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