Hays County Youth Livestock Show wraps up

The Hays County Youth Livestock Show wrapped up on Saturday with the presentation of awards and an auction.

“I want to thank all of our sponsors for supporting our event,” Jeff Dodd, President of the Hays County Youth Livestock Show, said. “We’ve had a tremendous year, over the top huge success, and it would not have been possible without all our volunteers, our sponsors, and our supporters. We want to congratulate all of our kids on their success, and we’re looking forward to our next event in 2021.” Dodd also spoke about the values instilled in participants by the livestock show and family involvement.

This year’s queen was Grace Vasicek. Vasicek won the National Field Archery Association (NFAA) Championship in the Barebow Youth Female category in 2018, and plans on competing for an archery spot on the U.S. Olympic Team. She is currently in her high school junior year, and being home-schooled through Pemberton Academy.

The 2020 Royal Court consisted of (alphabetically by last name): Princess Faith Baxter, Queen Emeritus Mia Cariaga, Ambassador Caleb Covarrubiasm, Senior Ambassador Ty Dahlstrom, Duchess Konleigh Eben, Ambassador Mason Elmer, Duchess Hannah Griffin, Ambassador Weston Gutierrez, Ambassador Jacob Hill, Duchess Anna Lean Lombardo, Ambassador Hayden Lugo, Ambassador Guy Massey, Duchess Rebecca McDaniel, Ambassador Emeritus Joseph Nino, Ambassador Hunter Savage-Pierce, Duchess Alyssa Tate, Queen Grace Vasicek, Duchess Caitlyn Warren, and Duchess Arielle Wortham

The show’s Queen’s Court was begun in 1978 by Dr. Glen M Rydl when he was president of the Hays County Livestock Exhibition. “I was judging a show in Comal County, talking to some people there, and they said, ‘You know we have a queen and a court,’” Dr. Rydl said. “So I went back to my board of directors and said, ‘You know we ought to have a queen and court as well.’ They agreed, and so we did. The first queen in 1978 was Melody Chandler from Dripping Springs. She was a member of the Dripping Springs FFA.” 

“To be on the court, the kids have to do a number of community service hours,  It’s not just a beauty contest as some people think it is,” Dr. Rydl said, “They have to exhibit leadership and become role model for other kids. I would also like to thank Janice Weinheiner. She has been a key volunteer over the years, and has really grown the program into something very meaningful for the community and the kids who participate in our programs.”

This year’s show judges were: Brock Herren for swine; Kevin Newson for goats; Charles Praue for ag mech, Vickie Muni for horses, Stephen Zoeller for cattle, Drew Gonzales for lamb; Kyle Morenroth for poultry; and Frank Farrow for rabbits.

For a list of this year’s top buyers, visit http://www.hayscountylivestockshow.org .

Twitter: @John_E_Pacheco