By Shelby Shank
Field Editor
Showing livestock is more than banners and buckles, and at the All Star Showdown, friendships were born and unforgettable memories were made in a Stratford show ring.
4-H and FFA students helped students with disabilities experience agriculture and showing livestock through the All Star Showdown.
Behind the scenes
The founder of the All Star Showdown, Abby Law, is a senior at Tarleton State University who had a dream of giving back to her community and creating an opportunity for students with disabilities.
“Her dream became a reality, and in my mind, is the footprint that everybody else is going to try to follow. She saw a need for a way to give back, and she did it,” Jason Miller, acting judge for the All Star Showdown, said.
Going through her own hardships growing up, Law experienced firsthand the power of community.
“My family and I went through some rough times, and I wanted to give back to the special needs community,” Law said.
That is exactly what she is doing with the All Star Showdown.
Law secured vendors, sponsors, community members and 4-H and FFA student volunteers. She spoke with surrounding schools in the Panhandle, inviting their students to participate in this unique experience.
In 2020, her first year of the All Star Showdown, there were 19 participants. The program has grown since then with 58 participants at this year’s show. A majority of students were from Stratford, Dalhart and surrounding towns, but even students from New Mexico traveled to be a part of the show.
“This show has grown so much. I was worried about how we were going to fit almost 60 participants in and out of the ring and be finished by three o’clock to get back to school,” Law said. “But we were able to make it happen.”
None of this would be possible if it weren’t for the people, she said.
“Everyone who came together, from the community and the ag teachers and my parents, everyone made this happen and were willing to help,” Law said.
The show
On show day, participants are paired up with one or two show buddies. Show buddies are FFA and 4-H volunteers who assist the kids in the show ring with their animals.
Then, students pick out a goat or sheep to show for the day. Once they have selected their animal, the kids get the animals ready to show.
Excitement fills the air as they enter the ring. They’re cheered on by a supportive, and sometimes emotional, crowd.
Then, students take their photo at the backdrop.
“It has been a pleasure to serve these kids the past three years. It’s really rewarding to come and work with these kids and see the smiles the All Star Showdown puts on their faces,” Payton Ralston, a senior at Dalhart High School, said. “It lights a spark inside of you. You see these kids at school and then see their moods change when they’re here working with the animals.”
There was also a Farm to Table station for the kids to visit and learn about corn, carrots and milking a cow.
The station was in conjunction with Sherman County Farm Bureau where students learned how their food travels from the farm to their tables.
Volunteers
The show couldn’t go on without the 4-H and FFA student volunteers.
“The interaction of the all-star showmen with their helpers, the FFA kids and the 4-H kids are a very unique group of kiddos, the leaders of tomorrow in my mind,” Miller said. “And to see them behold the passion and the love that our all-star showmen are giving the animals and back to them, I think it’s an eyeopener and a unique situation that they get to be involved in, a blessing to them.”
Law had 70 students volunteer at the All Star Showdown this year. Some students were partnered with the kids as their show buddies and others helped at stations throughout the day.
Tate Hudson, a freshman at Stratford Tech High School, said his favorite part about the All Star Showdown was being paired up with his former classmate Melissa. Hudson grew up with Melissa and was happy to catch up with her because they no longer go to the same school.
“It was nice for the both of us to be paired up with someone we knew and getting to be in the show ring together,” Hudson said. “I’m glad I was able to share that experience with Melissa.”
Cash Desbien, a sophomore at Boise City High School, felt passionate about the mission of the All Star Showdown and wanted to give back. Desbien prepared the agricultural mechanic workshop at the event, where students created wind chimes out of old horse shoes.
“Some of the kids were scared to be around the wind chimes and the tools, but I made the project all about them,” Desbien said. “I let them bend the hooks, put it together, and the only thing I did was put some of the chain on and welded what needed welded. This project was something they could take ownership of.”
The impact
The impact of the All Star Showdown doesn’t end on show day.
“I’ve always wanted to make an impact on the agricultural industry. Going into year five of this show, I really think I’m achieving that impact,” Law said. “The All Star Showdown is bringing us together. It’s bridging the gap between those with disabilities and the FFA and 4-H members.”
Show buddies have stayed in contact with participants and hang out with them at school events, building on those friendships.
“Some participants who keep coming back will see their past show buddies, run up to them and give them the biggest hug because they remember them from past years,” Law said. “That’s the biggest part of this—the friendships and bonds that form.”
Everyone rallied together to let the kids know just how special they truly are. And that everyone is a grand champion.
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