by JESSICA ANDERSON
The Polk County students have once again made their mark at the 2023 Florida State Fair livestock shows, just two weeks after the Polk County Youth Fair came to a close. The youth fair, held annually in January, serves as a precursor to the state fair and provides students with an opportunity to showcase their livestock and agricultural projects.
The Polk County students who participated in the youth fair continued their success at the State Fair, with many of them earning top honors in their respective categories. There were students from Polk County who placed in Grand Champion and Reserve Champion places across the fair in almost every show. Evangelina Garcia from Haines City Senior FFA had a very successful show with her zebus. She exhibited the Grand Champion Cow, Reserve Grand Champion Cow, Reserve Champion Junior Bull, and the Grand Champion Senior Bull. Evangelina is just one example of the multitude of successful students who represented Polk County at the Florida State Fair this year.
The success of Polk County students at the state fair is a reflection of their dedication and hard work, as well as the support they receive from their families, friends, and the community. The students’ achievements serve as a reminder that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible. The Polk County students have once again shown that they are a force to be reckoned with in the world of agriculture and livestock shows.
The Polk County students’ success at the fair did not come easy. They had to balance their schoolwork with the demands of raising and caring for their animals. They woke up early every morning to feed and groom their animals before heading to school, and they spent their evenings practicing for the competition.
Their dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed. The students received support from their families, friends, and the community. Without the support from the families and communities surrounding these kids we would not be able to have such a dedicated group of young people representing our county in the best light.
The students’ success at the fair is a testament to the value of agricultural education and the importance of supporting young people in pursuing their passions. The skills they learned in raising and caring for their animals will stay with them for life, and their success at the state fair will serve as a source of pride and inspiration for years to come.
As the fair came to a close, the Polk County students returned home with a sense of accomplishment and a newfound appreciation for the value of hard work and dedication. Their success at the fair is a reminder that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible.
