County 4-Hers qualify for state competitions
By Sam Waller
Shackelford County 4-Hers qualified for state competition last week in both fashion and horse judging events.
The qualifiers will compete at the State Roundup this summer.
There will also be photography submissions at state, according to Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell.
At the District 7 Fashion Show held March 30 at Llano, Johnnie Hise placed first in Construction Everyday Living and second in Natural Fibers, both in the Senior Division, to advance to state. Hise also helped emcee the event.
Hise’s project was a four-piece vintage swimsuit ensemble with wraparound skirt and robe.
In the junior division, Carly Kreitler took first place in Non-Wearables with a quilt and first place in Storyboard Design.
Artie Bell took third in Non-Wearables with a tote bag, while Emmie Hise placed fifth in both Natural Fibers and Construction Everyday Living with a shorts-and-top set.
“The girls have been working on different projects all year at our clinics,” Kelsey Bell said. “They did these on their own at home.”
In the District 7 Horse Judging contest, held April 1 at San Angelo, the senior team of Jordan Fikes, Faith Fry, Riley Reames, and Madailein Beard placed second to qualify for state. Fry finished first individually to qualify, and Fikes was fifth individually.
Shackelford County had two teams in the junior division. The team of Grace Fry, Cayla Green, and Brook Green finished fifth. The second team consisted of Cody Fry, Rainy Nitschke, and Artie Bell.
“They had to judge eight classes – four halter classes where they judged the animal on its conformation and four performance classes,” Kelsey Bell said. “The kids also answered some tough questions.”
In addition, the senior participants had to give a speech detailing their reasons for placement within each class.
Bell said results were particularly encouraging in light of the fact that it was the first judging contest for four of the participants and only the second for four others.
The horse judging contest was held in conjunction with the Angelo State Invitational. Shackelford County placed second among 95 teams in that event.
“In the Angelo State contest, the three highest scores from Shackelford County were used to make a team,” Bell said. “The Fry sisters and Jordan Fikes were our top three.”
Upcoming Events
Shackelford County 4-H will have a fishing outing Saturday, April 9 to the Clear Fork of the Brazos on the Hendrick Ranch.
The regular monthly club meeting will be 5:00 p.m. Monday, April 11 at The Feed Store.
