Beyond the Placement: The Gift of Livestock Evaluation
Five members from the junior and senior division livestock evaluation NECP teams, with their placements of the season and state fair competitions.
Last November, the North East Carolina Preparatory (NECP) Senior Livestock Evaluation Team placed first in the Eastern Region Livestock Evaluation Competition. The NECP Junior Livestock Evaluation Team also placed second in the Federation level.
But what exactly do these titles mean to the winners?
The Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event (CDE) is one of the many competitions FFA offers to its members. The teams are separated into junior and senior divisions, and the competition involves oral reasons, ranking, and animal evaluations. In a team, you may find individuals with years of experience, as well as those who have only recently joined. The NECP teams were made up of experienced and inexperienced individuals, and in the end, everyone went home with their own “prize.”
NECP Junior Division member Yaritzel Perez competes in a livestock evaluation event.
Season Takeaways
Brooke Minchew, coach and senior competitor for livestock evaluation, shares, “This season has introduced me to so many amazing individuals that I could not have met otherwise.”
Minchew also shared how her public speaking abilities have improved from coaching. What once began as a simple extracurricular activity has become a lifelong commitment for her. She hopes to continue judging at higher levels in her future career.
Competitions for both teams involved stating your oral reasons, despite moments of nervousness, and learning from mistakes. This was not easy, but the growing passion for livestock empowered these individuals to power through. Junior livestock evaluation member Jordyn Hyman shared what she believes makes up her team: “Selflessness and good sportsmanship.”
What’s Next?
The junior team consists of individuals who had never competed in this CDE until now. Yet, they are excited to continue preparing for next year. The senior and junior livestock evaluation teams at NECP went home with more than ribbons and placements. They took lessons, memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. Earning first place at the regional level has allowed the senior division team to advance to states this upcoming June. They are more than excited to return to the arena, especially with the support of their junior team.
Junior member Yaritzel Perez shares her motto, “What is life if you never try something new?” and how it has led her to this moment of success and excitement for her peers. These team members have earned outstanding titles, but nothing has been more rewarding than the road that led to those awards.
