Leigh FFA Members Had a Hay Day at Nebraska State Fair!
Leigh FFA members Kammy Held, Taya Hambleton, and Carmen Malena received top
awards at the Nebraska State Fair over Labor Day weekend, representing our chapter well!
Kammy Held fared especially well, as she was one of the top 3 goat showmen and
received the award of Supreme Breeding Doe.
Held stated, “It was an honor to win at the Nebraska State Fair. It was an incredible
experience, and I think it showed a lot of what Leigh FFA can do. Winning Supreme Champion
Doe was an amazing thing.”
Taya Hambleton earned the awards of Reserve Supreme Breeding Doe, Champion
Sheep Showman, Reserve Berkshire Gilt, and was a multiple class winner. Hambleton was also
a finalist in Hog Showmanship.
Eighth-grader Carmen Malena was the Champion Senior Hog Showman. Malena
asserted, “State fair was a great success! It showed that all of the long hours, and time put into
my pigs paid off. I look forward to the state fair every year, and knowing that it all went well
makes me so happy! I also had one of the best times of my life.”
Nevaeh Zulkoski, Dalton Zulkoski, and James Grotelueschen also competed at the fair.
Nevaeh Zulkoski placed fourth in her class for Lightweight Market Steers, and she
received a blue ribbon.
Dalton Zulkoski showed Breeding Gilts, Market Gilts, and a Market Barrow; he received
blue ribbons as well. In the Futurity, Dalton showed swine: a market barrow, market gilt, and
breeding gilt.
James Grotelueschen showed sheep and placed third in Showmanship, second in a
breeding class, and third in a breeding class. He received three blue ribbons.
The Leigh FFA advisor, Mrs. Alyssa Went, said, “The FFA division at the state fair was
extremely tough, and members all over the state brought the heat! The quality of livestock was
outstanding, but the students at the end of the halter or whips were even better!
“Our members spent countless hours at the barn with their livestock all year long. It’s not
a quick project that only lasts a couple months. I am beyond proud of how our students
represented the Leigh FFA Chapter. They truly put in the time and have the dedication it takes
to rise to the top!”
Congratulations to Leigh FFA!