Annual Show & Sale Set for Feb. 10-11
Spring Branch FFA President Abby Cline (left), Vice President Kate Sparenberg, Emily Valicek, and Jamie O’Quinn, a Spring Woods High School senior, in a barn with Cline’s steer, Joe DiMooggio.
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Abby Cline and Kate Sparenberg found Future Farmers of America at
different points in their lives, but the difference FFA has made in their lives
is palpable.
Cline, a Memorial High School senior and president of the Spring
Branch FFA, has a family tradition of FFA and first got involved as a junior
member as an eighth-grader at Memorial Middle School.
Sparenberg, vice president and also an MHS senior, discovered FFA
as a sophomore while taking agriculture classes at the Guthrie Center, SBISD’s
career and technical education facility. She’s since learned that her
grandfather and his brothers were involved in FFA.
Cline, Sparenberg and some 80 or so of their FFA peers are busy
preparing animals for the upcoming 39th Annual Spring Branch FFA
Show & Sale, set this year for Feb. 10-11, at the FFA’s Ag Farm at 1905
Brittmoore, just north of Hammerly.
Students show their animals for judging on Friday, Feb. 10,
beginning at 2 p.m. The sale kicks off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, with
buyer check-in and the opening of the silent auction, which includes student
food, photography and creative arts projects, as well as gift certificates and
other items from local merchants.
The main event is the live auction, which begins at 1 p.m. on
Saturday, Feb. 11. The auction has been described as similar to an auction at
the Houston Livestock Show but on a smaller scale – including a smaller crowd
and easier parking. Breeds shown and sold include chickens, turkey, rabbits,
lambs, goats, steers, heifers and pigs.
Excitement permeates the show floor and bleachers on both days as
FFA students whoop it up and encourage one another – and buyers too.
“I like to be around members when they show,” Cline said. “It’s
such a nice vibe with all this support … all the support in the bleachers is
very nice.”
FFA is a national organization that develops student potential for
premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural
education. The Spring Branch FFA Chapter, housed at Guthrie but operating for
more than 50 years at the 17-acre farm on Brittmoore, includes students from
Memorial, Northbrook, Spring Woods and Stratford high schools, and Westchester
Academy for International Studies.
The local chapter is sponsored by ag teachers Bobby Terry and
Katie Thompson.
Organizers invite everyone to the Show & Sale, whether buying
an animal or not. Animal buyers can keep their purchase (processors are
available on-site) or donate it back for resale. Students received 90 percent of
the sale proceeds – the additional 10 percent supports other educational
opportunities, helps underwrite the Show & Sale, and provides scholarships.
The Show & Sale is sponsored by the Spring Branch FFA Alumni Association, a
501(c)(3) non-profit, and all purchases and contributions are tax deductible.
The event raised more than $210,000 last year, with Grand
Champions selling for between $1,200 and $9,000, depending on breed. All
livestock projects are sold, no matter their placement in the competition.
Buyers’ Committee Chair Kristin Valicek said she’s invited more
than 1,200 potential buyers, including the 360 or so from last year. Buyers can
register up till the day of the sale.
Valicek’s three children are involved in FFA – son Alex is the
local chapter’s sentienl – a natural progression from seven years of
participation in 4-H. Valicek is a believer in the power of FFA.
“Truly, anything a student wants to do can … generally FFA can
accommodate,” she said. For instance, her daughter Emily, a third-grader at a
local private school and a junior member of the Spring Branch FFA (residency in
the district is the only requirement) will have three projects in the show this
year – a hanging basket, an apple pie and a drawing.
Walking around the different barns and pens at the Ag Farm, it’s
evident that Cline is a key piece of that support. She takes on the role of big
sister with Buyer Chair Valicek’s daughter Emily. Before entering “Ham Heaven”
– where pigs are stalled, she’s approached by several students who ask
different questions, which she happily answers.
Moving from barn to barn, Cline checks in with students who are
working on their animals, asking questions and offering support and
encouragement. There’s little doubt that she’s one who’s looked up to.
And that’s part of the FFA experience. Both she and Sparenberg
cite confidence as a one of the biggest takeaways from the program.
“Honestly, it’s kind of my life,” said Cline, who spends several
hours of each class day at the Ag Farm and a significant portion of her free
time as well. “It’s given me confidence and a sense of belonging. I love being
out here.”
Sparenberg said that while not as obvious, she has gained
confidence in herself through FFA. She said she was “kind of shy” before
getting involved with FFA, and that it was raising animals for show that really
helped her take off.
“You’re out here twice a day (when raising an animal) – you get to
know other people,” she said. That confidence propelled her to run for office
(she’s vice president), and she said that she “wouldn’t have gotten as many
friends” without her involvement in FFA.
And that’s not to say she’s only FFA – she’s not, not by a long
shot. She’s treasurer of the National Technical Honor Society. She’s played
violin in orchestra since middle school. She’s in the National Honor Society,
the Memorial Mustang Outreach Bunch (MMOB) – and a member of the District
Improvement Team.
But it’s in FFA where she found her best friend – she and Cline
will room together at Texas A&M in the fall. Sparenberg wants to be a
veterinarian. Cline said she thought she wanted to become a veterinarian but
after taking a couple of veterinary medicine classes has discovered that it’s
“not her passion.” She’ll major in something agriculture-related but is
undecided right now.
Naturally. Both students credit the animals for stimulating and
holding their interest in FFA.
“I mostly joined because of the animals,” Sparenberg said. “The
animals are a great incentive.”
Cline agrees.
“I really love the animals,” she said. “They’re the biggest part
of what I do.
“They’ve helped me find my passion.”
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