(Seguin) — The 2023 Guadalupe County Youth Livestock and Homemakers Show continues today at the Guadalupe County Events Complex. Events began on Tuesday with the arrival and judging of rabbits, goats and poultry.
Today, youth representing schools from across the county will showcase lambs and swine. The arrival of items in the homemakers show such as handicraft, needlework and Ag mechanics is also scheduled.
On Tuesday, confidence erased any pre-nerves and worries as students made their way into the arena with their show animals.
Among those earning Grand Champion and Reserve Champion ribbons for her goat in the Light Weight Division 1 was Reece Isham. The 12-year-old from Navarro ISD, says after five years of showing, this year was her most successful year.
Reece says if youth show has taught her anything, it is to never give up.
“Maybe try harder and don’t focus on the little things and get frustrated about them. Just keep trying,” said Reece.
Hugging her daughter and applauding her accomplishments is Reece’s mother Devin.
“Basically, this is our future. These kids raise animals to eventually go to market and without them, we would not have food on our plates. We would not have corn. These kids in agriculture put their heart and soul into this. So, without them, eventually, if nobody does it, we have no food. Basically, that’s where it comes from,” said Devin.
Although, it’s the students who walk proudly before judges, youth show is often times about the family – a family that Devin says also makes sacrifices and efforts toward a project.
“We’re up at 5, 6 o’clock every morning feeding. Then, she goes to school. We go to work. We come home. We feed and then we are working them all over again — sometimes not getting into bed until anywhere from 10 to midnight whatever it takes to make sure everything is done because we are their providers,” said Devin.
This year’s homemakers show sale has also been pushed up a day to Thursday. The Seguin Daily News on Thursday will share more details on the show and the opportunities that local residents can support kids and their homemaking projects. This year’s youth show auction is also scheduled for noon Saturday. Bidders are encouraged to visit www.gcys.org for registration.
