Page 8 - JobReady: November 2017 Issue

FFA Connects Generations at The State Fair

he Arkansas State Fair
is an excellent place for
Tfamilies to have fun and
make memories together. For
16-year-old Whitney Walker and
her family, special memories
were made at this year’s State
Fair. Whitney, a junior at Prairie
Grove High School and FFA
member, was able to show a
steer that she raised herself at
her first State Fair. “It’s a tradition
in my family to raise and show
steers, and I’m excited to be
showing at my first State Fair,”
she said.
As it turns out, Whitney had
a good reason to be excited. Two generations of State Fair Grand Champion Steer winners: Eric Walker and his
Steve O, her first State Fair daughter Whitney Walker. Also pictured is the award-winning steer Steve O.
steer, ended up taking the Grand
Champion Steer award. What
makes this honor even more
exciting for Whitney is the fact
that her father, Eric Walker, won
the same prize with his steer at
the State Fair 25 years ago.
Eric Walker, who was FFA
State President in 1992, said
this experience as a family just Governor Asa Hutchinson chats with Whitney Walker won this year's Grand
couldn't be beaten. “It gets a Whitney Walker about her award. Champion Steer award at The State Fair.
little emotional. My dad and I
did this together, and it’s just a
great experience to have my kids
follow in my footsteps,” he said.
Even though Steve O was
auctioned off for $18,000 at the
fair’s Sale of Champions, it’s the
bond this experience brought to
this family that was the biggest
payoff.
“We’re building lifetime
memories together here at the
fair,” Eric Walker said.
Award-winning steer, Steve O, was auctioned off for $18,000 at The State Fair's Sale of
Champions.

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