On
Dec. 2, Methodist Children’s Home staff and students came out to support Ag
students and spend an afternoon in fellowship during the 2015 Ag Showmanship
and Winter Festival at the MCH Boys Ranch.
Steve
Kruse, Ag teacher at MCH School, gave his students an opportunity to show their
animals in front of a crowd at the horse pavilion. He has 33 students in his Ag
class who learn to take care of steers, sheep, goats and swine.
“I
want the kids first of all to learn responsibility and then learn to show off
the good points of their project and try to overcome the bad points,” Kruse
said. “But most of all I want them to have fun and gain lifelong experience.”
During
the showmanship event, Kruse’s students presented their animals before a guest
judge, Dr. Shane McLellan. McLellan is the McLennan County extension agent and
has judged at several major livestock shows in Texas. He asked the youth
questions about the care of their animal and gave them suggestions for
improving their showing technique. He then chose a winner and presented them
with a belt buckle. The winners were: Steer – Galen; Sheep – Jaelyne; Goat –
Sheldon; and Swine – Marvin.
“I
thought the event was a big success especially after visiting with the kids and
hearing their questions and comments which told me they learned something,”
Kruse said.
Directly
following Ag Showmanship was the Winter Festival. The festival, organized by recreation
staff from Boys Ranch and Waco campus, was originally scheduled for November
but was postponed due to weather. Staff and youth ate lunch and enjoyed games,
hay rides, horse rides, bounce houses, crafts and face painting. It was a great
opportunity for fellowship and to enjoy the Ranch atmosphere.
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