Tech Center Vet Science students earn 13 first place awards at County Fair
MUSKEGON: Life is better on the farm, the theme of this year’s Muskegon County Fair which took place July 24-29, 2017, was especially true for the Muskegon Area Career Tech Center (MACTC) FFA Chapter. These students are enrolled in the Environmental/Veterinary Sciences program at the MACTC. The team brought home thirteen first place ribbons during their first appearance at the fair. Six members from the chapter, representing five different school districts, competed. The students, some also representing their 4-H Clubs, participated in eight different areas.
“This was my first time competing at the fair,” shared Environmental/Veterinary Sciences student Aidan Starr (Reeths-Puffer). “Our teacher, Mrs. Glombowski, taught us how to show the rabbits. It was really interesting to see all the different people and their animals.”
Not all the students from the MACTC who competed were first-timers. Danielle Hysell (Fruitport), also a member of Spur of the Moment 4-H Club, has been participating in 4-H for six years. She has these words of advice to offer future competitors.
“One thing I have learned at the fair is even when your livestock stops working with you during showmanship, you should keep showing at your best and not give up!”
That never-give-up attitude worked for Danielle. She took first place in Age 16 Showmanship and earned several other top-three awards.
Student results:
Rabbits– Brie Justian (Montague) earned first place Fur Class–Wool, second place Overall Fur, third place, Class Four Junior Buck; Aidan Starr (Reeths-Puffer) earned second place Class Four Junior Buck MACTC FFA team, third place Overall Club Herd.
Poultry– Kerrigan Semans (Whitehall) earned first place Bantam Cockerel, third place Standard Cockerel, fourth place Showmanship, fifth place Standard Pullet, fifth place Bantam Hen.
Archery/Shooting Sports– Kerrigan Semans earned first place Grand Champion Open Sighted Archery.
Dairy– Corey Lowe (Oakridge) earned fourth place Medium Weight Class Cow.
Swine– Danielle Hysell (Fruitport) earned fifth place Light Weight Market Class Swine; Corey Lowe earned fifth place Medium Weight Market Swine.
Equine– Danielle Hysell earned first place Age 16 Showmanship, third place Versatility, third place Western Pleasure, third place Western Horsemanship, fourth place Trail, fifth place Hunt Pleasure, fifth place Western Riding, fifth place English Riding, sixth place Hunt Equitation; Stefanie Beckley (Fruitport), also a member of Spur of the Moment 4-H Club, earned first place Trail, first place Western Horsemanship, first place and Reserve Champion Western Riding, second place and Reserve Champion Showmanship, second place English Pleasure, third place Reining, Reserve Champion Western Dressage, Grand Champion Versatility Age 14-16, fourth place English Equitation, fifth place Western Pleasure, Champion 13 & Over Incentive Fund, and Reserve Champion Overall Highpoint.
Dogs– Stefanie Beckley (Fruitport) earned first place Agility, first place and High in Trial in Jumpers, first place and Reserve High in Trial for Obedience, first place and Reserve Grand Champion in Educational Poster, first place Showmanship, Grand Champion Open Showmanship, Grand Champion Overall Showmanship, first place and High Trial for Rally, and Overall High in Trial Champion.
Cats– Chelsey Allen (Holton) earned third place Cat Carrier Decorations, fourth place Male Household Cats 12 Months or Older, and fifth place Showmanship.
MACTC Environmental/Veterinary Sciences Instructor Jennifer Glombowski and Parapro Hannah Berry also placed this year in Rabbit Breeds. Hannah placed second in Overall Breed – Californian and Jennifer placed second in Overall Breed – French Lop. She also won Reserve Grand Champion in Adult Showmanship.
For more information on the Environmental/Veterinary Sciences program at the Muskegon Area Career Tech Center, and other programs offered, visit the class page found at muskegoncareertech.com.