Published: January 30, 2008 02:49 pm         

Royse City FFA sweeps Collin County Livestock Show

By Tammie White

Special to the Herald-Banner



The Royse City FFA Show Team members went to their county show ready for battle this year, taking 42 head of swine, and three steers to McKinney for the Collin County Livestock Show. Of the 24 buckles given in the swine division, Royse City students came away wearing 10 of them, leaving only 14 buckles for the remaining 19 schools to share. Approximately $16,500 was paid out in prize money from the Friends of the Royse City FFA to those students making the sale at this show. All grade levels participated.

Three seniors participated, two receiving honors: Dakota White, for Cross/Gilt – 1st in class, for Hampshire/Barrow – 1st in class, Breed Champion, Grand Champion Barrow, and Reserve Overall Champion; Garrett Jackson, for Cross/Gilt – 8th in class, and Cross/Barrow – 5th in class; and Ashley Dykes, due to circumstances, unable to bring her Hampshire/Gilt, into the show ring.

Juniors participating were: Julie Byrd, Red Angus/Steer – 3rd in class, and Short Horn/Steer – 3rd in class; Chad Thompson – Chester/Gilt – 4th in class; Stacy Scott – Yorkshire/Gilt – 5th in class; Nathan Span – Spot/Barrow – 1st in class and Reserve Breed Champion; Jason Rose - Duroc/Barrow – 1st in class and Breed Champion, Yorkshire/Gilt – 6th in class; and Landry Packard –Chester/Barrow – 1st in class and Breed Champion. Also, Jordan McDowell – Spot/Barrow – 2nd in class; Dillion Jared – Duroc/Gilt – 10th in class; Tanner Dietz – Spot/Gilt – 3rd in class; Whitney Stevens – Yorkshire/Gilt – 3rd in class, Yorkshire/Barrow – 2nd in class; Chris Mason – Cross/Gilt – 1st in class, Breed Champion, and Reserve Champion; Cody Roan – Spot/Gilt – 3rd in class; Jeromy Giblet – Duroc/Barrow – 1st in class; and Jordan Moody – Cross/Barrow – 4th in class, and Spot/Gilt – 6th in class.

Several sophomores entered: Keith Thompson – Duroc/Barrow – 2nd in class and Reserve Breed Champion, and Hampshire/Gilt – 5th in class; Kendra Marshall – Spot/Gilt – 1st in class, and Breed Champion; Emily Lauderdale – Cross/Gilt – 10th in class; Natalie Hesh – Hampshire/Gilt – 1st in class, and Cross/Barrow – 6th in class; and Nikki Boykin – Duroc/Gilt – 1st in class and Breed Champion.

Freshman at the Collin County Show were: Madison White – Cross/Barrow – 1st in class, and Hampshire/Gilt – 4th in class; Willie Propes – Hampshire/Gilt – 1st in class; Drew Jackson – Cross/Gilt – 5th in class, and Cross/Barrow – 3rd in class.

Junior FFA Members are: Cooper Gilliland – 4th grader – Cross/Barrow – 2nd in class and Red Angus Steer – 4th in class; Sky Dabbs – 4th – Cross/Barrow – 6th in class, Cross/Gilt – 7th in class; Lauren Armbruster – 7th grader – Spot/Barrow – 1st in class, and Breed Champion; Rebecca Oates – 8th grader – Yorkshire/Barrow – 1st in class and Reserve Breed Champion; Courtney Stevens – 8th grader – Duroc/Gilt – 7th in class, and Hampshire/Gilt – 2nd in class; and Katie Rose – 8th Grader – Hampshire/Gilt – 2nd in class, and Hampshire/Barrow – 6th in class.

The members of the FFA and their advisors, Elmer Breshear and Gary Gilliland, thank all sponsors, parents, friends and family that came out to work and also show their support. They also thank the Friends of the Royse City FFA for their hard work and dedication in making this show season a great success.

Many of the same competitors took prizes in or entered the Ft. Worth Gilt Show.

Results include awards to juniors Nikki Boykin - Duroc/Gilt - 1st in class, and Breed Champion; Chad Thompson - Chester White/Gilt - 2nd in class; and Whitney Stevens - Yorkshire/Gilt - 11th in class. Sophomore Kendra Marashall with a Black OPB/Gilt took 1st in class, and Breed Champion. Two freshmen, took places: Willie Propes - Cross/Gilt - 2nd in class; and Madison White - Cross/Gilt - 2nd. in class.

Courtney Stevens, eight-grader, took 7th in class with her Duroc/Gilt.

Also participating were Stacy Scott, Jason Rose, Katie Rose, Jordan Moody, Drew Jackson, Garrett Jackson, Dillon Jared, Keith Thompson, and Cody Roan.

On Thursday, show team members will enter barrows in the Ft. Worth Stock Show. In weeks prior to spring break, the y will participate in the San Antonio Livestock Show and Star of Texas Livestock Show in Austin. They close their season at the Houston Livestock Show in March.