Madison Wilkins named ‘Top Hand’ at banquet

Madison Wilkins was named as Top Hand for the second year in a row at the 2019 Buyer-Seller Banquet on Saturday, April 6. Cutter Edgar and Wilkins were announced as the winners of the 29th annual Watt R. Matthews Memorial Scholarships. 

“We had a good banquet,” said Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association president Bronco Askew. “We were not able to get a speaker arranged this year, but we hope to be able to do that again in the future.”

Although some pledges are still outstanding, the SCYLA was able to get checks out to all the youth, Askew added.

Top Hand

Madison Wilkins was presented the Top Hand belt buckle award, which this year, for the first time, was sponsored by the Askew family. 

The award is presented to the individual who displays enthusiasm, dedication, and good attitude in all circumstances of stock show participation.

“Madison is not afraid to do anything as far as work goes,” said Askew. “She will pick up a broom or shovel, work in the concession stand, and help out the younger kids. Helping out the younger ones is really important.”

The association president added that Wilkins has been at the show and willing to pitch in and do everything that needed to be done since she was first eligible to participate as a third grader.

“We have three or four exhibitors that excel every year,” said Askew. “We are looking for the ones who are willing to help out and to work. Hopefully those that came close will win next year.”

Askew gave Top Hand hopefuls something to consider.

“A group is watching you all year long, not just at the county show,” he said. 

Scholarship Winners

Provided by a fund set up at First National Bank, the Matthews scholarships are given to deserving high school seniors who plan to attend college, business school, or trade school after graduation.

The awards, presented in memory of the legendary Shackelford County rancher, are based on leadership, character, scholastics, service to the community, achievement and cooperation.

This year two students were each provided a $500 scholarship.

Madison Wilkins

Madison Wilkins is president of the Albany FFA chapter, and has previously served as FFA chaplain, and as chapter secretary. 

Wilkins competed on multiple LED and CDE teams including junior FFA creed, senior FFA creed, junior quiz, job interview, radio broadcasting, horse judging, and livestock judging, placing at district in both job interview and in radio broadcasting. 

Wilkins has exhibited swine to multiple awards at not just the county show but also major shows including winning fifth place Berkshire barrow at Austin, seventh place Yorkshire barrow at Austin, 10th place cross barrow at San Angelo, and the champion light weight dark cross barrow at San Antonio.

She won the senior swine showmanship buckle at the 2017 SCYLA show. 

Wilkins serves as co-president of the Future Career and Community Leaders of America, and vice president of both the student council and the National Honor Society. She was elected class president all four years of high school and was chosen 2018 Homecoming Queen by her peers. 

The A honor roll student was chosen as junior usherette nominee, and twice elected as class princess.

Chief editor of the Albany yearbook, Wilkins has represented her school in UIL academic contests in writing events.

Wilkins played volleyball and tennis her freshman and sophomore years of high school. 

Wilkins is a 13-year performer in both the Albany Dance Theatre and the Fort Griffin Fandangle. She volunteers at the Aztec Theater, and has served as a student intern and as a junior docent at the Old Jail Art Center.

The Lions Club sweetheart is a junior deacon at First Christian Church and is active at The Feed Store.

Wilkins plans to pursue a degree in Agricultural Leadership and Development with an Agricultural Communications minor at Texas A&M University.

Wilkins is the daughter of Tisha Wilkins of Albany and Shannon and Leslie Wilkins of Abilene.

Cutter Edgar

Cutter Edgar is secretary of the FFA and treasurer of the National Honor Society. During high school, he has served as class secretary, FFA sentinel, and student council representative. 

Edgar has lived in Albany his entire life and began showing pigs in the third grade.

Over the course of his show career, he has won the Junior Swine Showmanship buckle, Senior Swine Showmanship buckle, and Reserve Grand barrow banner at the local show, and has made the sales at most of the major stock shows.

Edgar has represented Albany FFA at CDE contests in Livestock his first three years at AHS.

Edgar played running back and linebacker for the varsity Lions.

He earned first team honors as linebacker on the All-Big Country Football Team for Class 2A and honorable mention as running back, was selected as an all-state linebacker, and named the Big Country impact player of the week.

The 2018 Homecoming King plays baseball for the Lions. 

In addition, Edgar has qualified for track regionals as a member of all three of the relay teams, and placed 10th in long jump at the regional contest.

Edgar helped with flood recovery efforts in New Orleans during a mission trip.

The son of Garry and Kimberly Edgar, he is the grandson of Betsy Edgar and of Jim and Kathy Hobbs, all of Albany.