23 students sell animals in Sale of Champions
Saturday was a really good day for Arlington ISD’s agriculture program at the Tarrant County Jr. Livestock Show. And it was extra good for Martin High School senior Max Maurer.
First, Maurer’s steer was named the Champion American Steer. Then, the United States Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, purchased his steer at the Sale of Champions.
“When Brooke Rollins bought my steer, it meant a lot to me,” Maurer – who is planning to go to Angelo State University next year and major in agribusiness – said. “It made all the early mornings, late nights, long days at stock shows, and hard work worth it. Having someone in her position recognize my effort was a huge honor and showed that the work I put in the arena paid off.”
Maurer said he couldn’t have done it without his ag teachers.
“I give credit to Jwilli [Mr. Williams] and Ms. Garner, for finding a great calf for me,” Maurer said. “I couldn’t do it without their guidance.”
Tanner Smith, an ag science teacher at Arlington High School and the district’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor, got to speak with Secretary Rollins about the steer she purchased.
“Something that will always stick with me from this particular sale day is when I got the opportunity to personally thank the United States Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins,” Smith said. “She called the student by name when she told me, ‘Max was so impressive, that steer is beautiful, and I knew he was from your program. I was excited to support him.’ Those words I will think about for a long time. What we are doing here in Arlington is so special, and all of the ag teachers have put in countless hours working to give our students opportunities they will cherish forever.”
There will be a lot cherish from Saturday.
Maurer wasn’t the only Arlington ISD student to walk away a champion. There were many, like Arlington High’s Wyatt Hausenfluke with his first-place sheep that won Reserve Champion Fine Wool, Catherine Knowles and her goat, the Overall Reserve Champion Market Goat, and Karmin Harvey, whose Britannia Petite rabbit won Best of Breed. Even an elementary student – Lincoln Clark from Mary Moore Elementary – won first place for his Polish rabbit.
A major reason for the success of so many students is the incredible support and guidance they receive from the district’s ag teachers. They’re champions, too. In addition to Maurer’s advisors (Jwilli Williams and Shelby Garner), Zoe Baskerville and Angeles Daniels provided guidance for the lambs, Brandon McNeil and Anna Seiber oversaw the goats, Kristin Clark oversaw the rabbits, and Megan Brundrett was the advisor for the youth fair.
Sale of Champions
Sale of ChampionsWhen it came time for the Sale of Champions, Arlington ISD FFA was well-represented with 23 students who sold steers, goats, sheep, poultry, and even a turkey. Combined, the students sold their animals for over $43,000. The Arlington Livestock Association purchased 19 of those animals, spending nearly $20,000.
But it wasn’t just students with animals who won awards. Martin’s Ally Kay Chatwell was busy winning all day. She won first for interpretive floral design and first place for her succulent. Plus, she was named Grand Champion for her first-place cookies! And Cruz Becerra from Lamar High School won first for assymetrical floral design.
“I am so proud of every student in Arlington FFA,” Smith said. “The work that these young people put into their projects since July really showed through their presence in the ring and around the barn this week … If you know any of these students, please congratulate them on a very successful show season! Now it’s on to clean the barn and get it ready for next year’s season!”