January 2009

Two teams from Lawrence County, coached by Jim Spencer, Vo-Ag instructor in Aurora, competed in the National Western Livestock Contest the first week of January in Denver Colorado.  Both teams qualified for the event after earning Reserve State Champion Honors in their respective state contests held last fall.  Participation in judging is proven by research to develop life skills in critical thinking, decision making and public speaking.  It is documented that youth with judging team experience land higher paying jobs.  Jim’s dedication to helping youth is evident through the success of these young people.  In the present and future the team members will reap the rewards from his service.

The Lawrence County 4-H team consisting of John Boatwright, Tiffany Evans, Courtney Spencer and Paige Wallace earned 6th High Overall team honors, while placing 4th in team reasons and 10th in team placings. 

Other honors include the following:

• 3rd in Beef  reasons

• 9th in Beef placings

• 5th Overall Beef

• 1st in Sheep placings

• 3rd in Sheep reasons

• 3rd Overall Sheep

• 6th in Swine Reasons

Individual honors include:

Tiffany Evans 

• 4th High individual Goat placings

• 3rd High individual Goats overall

• 9th High individual Sheep reasons

• 8th High individual Sheep placings

• 3rd High individual Sheep overall

• 2nd High Individual Beef reasons

• 9th High individual Overall reasons

• 7th High Individual Overall

The Aurora FFA team consisting of Blake Ash, Kari Bender, Kenzie Lauffer and Kelsie Young earned 7th High Overall team honors, while placing 6th in team reasons and 8th in team placings. 

Other honors include the following:

 

• 4th in Beef reasons

• 1st in Sheep placings

• 3rd in Overall Goats

• 6th in Beef placings

• 8th in Sheep reasons

• 6th in Swine reasons

• 5th Overall Beef

• 8th Overall Swine

Individual honors include:

Kari Bender

• 1st High Individual Beef Placings

• 7th High individual Overall Beef

• 9th High Individual Swine Reasons

Kenzie Lauffer

• 10th High Individual Beef reasons

Blake Ash

• 10th High Individual Swine reasons

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The teams gratefully acknowledge the following sponsors: 

Missouri 4-H Foundation, Lawrence County Cattleman’s, Shining Cross Farm, Stone Co. National Bank, Aurora Rotary Club, Agri-Center, Main Street Feeds, MFA #86, Aurora FFA Boosters, Springfield Livestock Marketing Center – Pete Sumners, United Missouri Bank-Monett, Community National Bank-Monett, First State Bank-Monett.