TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas —
The Travis County Youth Show is working to change lives and create leaders through competitive livestock and fair projects.
Events got started Thursday night and continue Friday and Saturday.
Representatives say they are working to build young people up by teaching responsibility, good sportsmanship and hard work.
Travis County Youth Show President Ernie Dominguez said he learned those lessons firsthand.
"It really helped me build skills that I use for the rest of my life. So yes, we're trying to promote agriculture through those events and what we're doing. But more importantly, it's about raising youth. Teach them really good habits and skills are used for the rest of their life," Dominguez said.
The Youth Show brings in students from 4-H and FFA across Travis County – like sisters Peyton and Brylie Turner, who are members of Manor 4-H and show beef steers.
Brylie Turner, a freshman, said she's been showing for years and has learned so much.
"Time management, not procrastinating on homework or your extracurriculars," she said. "Really making sure that your steers are your first priority. It's just really focusing on them."
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Her older sister, junior Peyton Turner, was the runner-up for the Youth Show Queen this year. She said a lot of what she's learned she plans to use in her future.
"My biggest takeaway from this is just making sure to continue to educate others on agriculture and make sure people understand where their food and fiber comes from," Peyton Turner said. "It's more than just their local grocery store and just continuing to influence and show how important this industry is."
The sisters will compete and show their steers on Saturday evening.
Not only do the young participants show livestock, they also do different fair projects.
"That's everything from baked goods to, you know, crafting, quilts, photography, metal and wood projects," Dominguez said.
There will also be other events to help raise money for the participant's futures.
"We're going to have a cornhole tournament this year for the first time tonight and a chili cook-off," Dominguez said. "So we try to do some things to engage the community, get more people out here to support the youth."
So far, the Youth Show has given more than $8.5 million to different 4-H and FFA clubs across the county.