‘Paying it forward’: Smith County Junior Livestock show held for 48th year

Tori Bean
·2 min read

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – The Smith County Junior Livestock Show has been going on for 48 years and board president Rick Perez said it’s always worth it for him and the students.

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“When one of these youngsters gives me a big hug and tells me thank you for doing what I do, and that really hits right here for me,” said Rick Perez, board president of the Smith County Junior Livestock Show.

  • Students lined up at the 48th annual Smith County Junior Livestock Show.
    Students lined up at the 48th annual Smith County Junior Livestock Show.
  • Goats in a pen at the 48th annual Smith County Junior Livestock Show.
    Goats in a pen at the 48th annual Smith County Junior Livestock Show.
  • An inquisitive goat in a pen at the 48th annual Smith County Junior Livestock Show.
    An inquisitive goat in a pen at the 48th annual Smith County Junior Livestock Show.
  • A goat in a pen at the 48th annual Smith County Junior Livestock Show.
    A goat in a pen at the 48th annual Smith County Junior Livestock Show.
  • An inquisitive goat with its nose sticking out of a pen at the 48th annual Smith County Junior Livestock Show.
    An inquisitive goat with its nose sticking out of a pen at the 48th annual Smith County Junior Livestock Show.
  • A cow in a pen at the 48th annual Smith County Junior Livestock Show.
    A cow in a pen at the 48th annual Smith County Junior Livestock Show.
  • A interested pig sticks arms and head over the fence at the 48th annual Smith County Junior Livestock Show.
    A interested pig sticks arms and head over the fence at the 48th annual Smith County Junior Livestock Show.
  • A interested pig sticks arms and head over the fence at the 48th annual Smith County Junior Livestock Show.
    A interested pig sticks arms and head over the fence at the 48th annual Smith County Junior Livestock Show.

Students like Chapel Hill senior Kyleigh Duckett get to learn while participating.

“It teaches you leadership, how to control something and also how much you can put into something and actually achieve at it,” said Kyleigh Duckett, senior, Chapel Hill FFA.

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From the animals to show projects there’s something for everyone.

“We have baking, we have horticulture projects that these kids built, floral designs, we have photography,” said Perez.

During his nine years of being part of the show world, Perez has seen the number of students grow and many of them are coming back to help.

“That’s my favorite part of this show, kids paying it forward to the next generation and it’s really heartfelt to see,” said Perez.

And even after she graduates, Duckett plans to continue her time in the ring.

“So I am going go to Tarleton and pursue being an extension agent and probably be around this most of the time,” said Duckett.

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They added that people at the shows have become their family and now is the time to educate the next generation. The community can support these students by buying their projects. The auction is happening tomorrow afternoon at Cross Brand Cowboy Church.

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