Thursday, September 26, 2024
With the Heart of Texas (H.O.T.) Livestock Show beginning in September, several Coryell County 4-H members are preparing to show their animals.
One of those students is Gatesville High School sophomore Makaylie Williams, who has been a member of 4-H for eight years and an ambassador for seven years. She also happens to be a Texas 4-H livestock ambassador and the first vice president of the Hay Valley 4-H Club.
Williams takes on many roles, which include being a member of the Consumer Decision Making Team, Livestock Judging Team, and Food Challenge Team.
She has been participating in the H.O.T Livestock Show for seven years and has won many home economics awards, as well as winning second and third place with her dorper lamb. She has also participated in the H.O.T calf scramble.
“I am excited to get back in the ring this year and I am looking forward to participating in the heifer show for the first time,” Williams said.
She starts her preparations for the H.O.T Livestock Show in the late spring, when she begins looking for show lambs to purchase. Her goal is to have a lamb purchased to start working with by July 1 of each year.
“I got my heifer in late May,” she said. “I mix feed and keep a close inventory on what I need to replace. I also have to sign up for the show, prior to the deadline.”
Williams is passionate about what she does and works with her animals each day by walking and setting them up for about an hour.
Her goal for the upcoming H.O.T Livestock Show is to get her animals back in the ring to get practice and feedback, so she knows how to make them more successful for this show season.
“4-H is important to me because it has provided me with lifelong friends and experiences,” Williams said. “I have benefited from 4-H, because it provides real world experiences, responsibilities, and it is helping me accomplish my goals.”
“I also enjoy being a mentor for little kids and I want them all to have the great experiences 4-H has provided for me,” she said.
Williams’ parents, Brad and Beverly, both expressed that have watched Makaylie learn how to bond with other kids.
“It is impressive to see how much she has grown in her skills and independence. We used to help her with tasks, and now she takes on new projects and responsibilities, independently,” they said.
She attends multiple 4-H camps throughout the year where she must complete and submit a record book and create and present an Educational Presentation. She entered in the Coryell County Youth Fair home economics division and in the photography contest as well.
She also takes time out of her schedule to volunteer at the Hornet Gold 4-H Intermediate Club.
“The way Makaylie is so kind and helpful with the younger kids makes me very proud to be her dad,” Brad said. “Makaylie loves 4-H and always wants to talk about it, make the program better, and involve as many people as she can.”
“As her mom, I love watching how passionate she is about sharing the wonderful opportunities 4-H provides,” Beverly said.
