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OnTheCover: Building Character & LeadershipBTy Sally Kaloshe Walter Gerlach Livestock Showand Saleoffers Northside ISD FFAand 4-H students a platform to showcase their dedication, hard work, and commitment to agriculture. More than just a competition, this event provides students with the opportunity to earn money for future livestock purchases or higher education.Nicknamed “The Best Little Stock Show in Texas,” the Walter Gerlach Show has raised millions for scholarships and educationalopportunities since its inaugural event in 1974.The remarkable seniors featured in this issue have dedicated much of their high school careers to their animals—feeding, exercising, cleaning, and ensuring their well-being. Their commitment often means early mornings, late nights, countless hours of training, and travel to competitions. Through their participation in FFA and 4-H, these students have cultivated essential life skills: leadership, public speaking, self-confidence, time management,responsibility, and passion.Beyond the show ring, however,these college-bound seniors have gained something even more valuable—lifelong friendships, invaluable lessons from dedicated mentors, and unforgettable experiences shared with family and friends. While their FFA and 4-H journeys may be coming to an end, the lessons learned, challenges overcome, and memories made will continue to shape their futures in profound ways.Photo By: Justin CainGirls left to right: Caroline Terrill, Hailey Bratton, Emily Felty;Boys left to right: Ty Schott, James Cain, Deacon Stagnery Sally Kalosto AgricultureBEmily Felty, a senior at Agriculture Science and Technology Academy at Sandra Day O’Connor HighSpotlight Of 4H & FHA SeniorsEmily Felty: A Decade of Dedicationtransformative, helping her build confidence, leadership, and lifelong friendships. She values the supportive community and credits the program for enhancing her public speaking and leadership skills. Over the years, she has expanded her involvement to showing chickens and has worked tirelessly to improve her skills in the ring.At this year’s Gerlach Livestock Show, Caroline placed 4th with both of her pigs. While it didn’t top last year’s Reserve Grand Champion win, making the sale was still an exciting achievement. Writing nearly 200 buyer’s letters played a crucial role in her success. Her deep connection with her pigs, particularly Lucy and Cardi, has made her senior year unforgettable.Beyond livestock, Caroline has discovered a passion for floral design, which began as a class requirement and evolved into a career path. She now works at a wedding venue, creating floral arrangements. This fall, she will attend Texas Tech University to study Agricultural Applied Economics and Business.In her free time, Caroline enjoys sunset drives in her 4Runner and spending time at church, embracing the friendships and community that support her journey.School, has been immersed in agriculture since third grade. Inspired by her father’s involvement in 4-H and FFA, she quickly fell in love with raising animals and fabricating agricultural mechanics projects. In eighth grade, she applied to the agricultural magnet school in NISD and joined FFA as a freshman.Through 4-H and FFA, Emily has gained confidence, leadership skills, and hands-on experience in agriculture. She has raised rabbits, pigs, and steers while also building and exhibiting Agricultural Mechanics projects. This year at the Walter Gerlach Livestock Show, she showcased two pigs, a steer, a hay trailer, and a dump trailer. Her hay trailer earned Grand Champion, and she was a showmanship finalist with her pigs. She also received the Walter Gerlach Scholarship and the prestigious Vickery Award.The livestock show holds a special place in her heart. Since third grade, she has formed deep bonds with her animals, learning valuable skills such as administering medical care, shearing, and showmanship. Each challenge has reinforced her love for agriculture.This fall, Emily will attend Texas A&M University at College Station, where she has been accepted into the College of Engineering to pursue a degree inDeacon Stagner: A Passion for 4H andMechanical Engineering.Fun Facts: Emily runs a TikTok account,Ag Mech Girl, adores her rescue cats, Tuxley and Kassie, and loves to cook.Livestock ShowsDBy Sally Kaloseacon Stagner, a senior atCornerstone Christian Schools,has been involved in 4H since sixth grade. His passion for learning and a visit to a rodeo with his dad sparked his interest in livestock shows, and he has been dedicated to the program ever since.Through 4H, Deacon has gained valuable skills like leadership, self- discipline, and perseverance. He enjoys the competition and the lasting friendships he has built, but one of his favorite aspects is forming bonds with his animals.Deacon has primarily shown goats throughout his 4H career, but in the pastCaroline Terrill: 4HBuildt Confidence,Leadership & Lifelong FriendshipsCBy Sally Kalosaroline Terrill, a senior at Sandra Day O’Connor’s Agriculture Science and Technology Academy(ASTA), has been involved in 4-H and FFA since childhood. Inspired by her brother’s rabbit showmanship, she first competed in6rabbit events before transitioning to pigs in 6th grade. Despite initial nerves, she found her passion in livestock showing, earning recognition in showmanship and even achieving Reserve Grand Champion.Her journey through 4-H has been4H Continued on page 7 March 2025www.heloteshighlights.com