Participants often juggle many projects

Published Thursday, March 27, 2008

By Mandy Bourgeois

Each March, hundreds of the county's dedicated youth gather to present projects ranging from steers and chickens to pies and photos, hoping to receive a blue ribbon for their efforts, as well as a little prize money to help fund their next project.

The kids spend their days in the show barns or at the NRS Arena, participating in various events, feeding and grooming goats, rabbits and sheep, making friends and most importantly, missing a week of school.

Monday marked the first day of the 56th annual Wise County Youth Fair, with the Horse Show taking the spotlight as the first event of the fair. The horse show continued Tuesday morning with speed events.

On Tuesday, the Ward family of Alvord had already contributed time and talent to the fair, with 14-year-old Jordan participating in Monday's horse show, as well as team penning Tuesday morning. Jennifer, 15, opted to sing at Monday night's Queen's Contest and participated in speed events on Tuesday.

Jennifer and Jordan were "born into 4-H," said mother Jeannette, 4-H Photography Club leader. Both girls have accompanied Jeannette and 4-H photographers to shows since their early childhood.

"I had a photography studio on the square in Decatur and kids started coming to me asking for help with their photography projects. Then I became the photography leader - that was 15 years ago," Jeannette said, as she walked toward the NRS Arena with a camera around her neck. "The kids were born into 4-H. To me, it's been a great benefit to keep them busy."

Most 4-H, FFA and FCCLA members are very busy. They have projects to prepare for various fairs and shows throughout the spring and practice for competitive events, all on top of homework and school activities.

"It's difficult," Jennifer said as she stood next to her horse, Amigo. "I had to drop two sports this year. You have to manage your time wisely."

Along with horse show events, she had 10 entries in photography and entries in food categories in her seventh year of participation in the fair.

"They have had to make difficult choices," Jeannette said. "We have found it pretty difficult to keep up now."

But the payoff comes in success. Jordan was all smiles early Tuesday after a successful run in team penning. She has spent the last five years riding in horse shows. This year she has entries in the photography and art categories.

"When we started out, we were in everything," Jeannette said. "Now, they pick and chose what they want to do."

The Wise County Youth Fair continues through Saturday, with livestock shows starting Tuesday afternoon and 4-H and FFA foods, crafts and photography judging on Wednesday. The annual auction is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Saturday.