The NJSA would like to recognize Owen Rozeboom, 6, of Roberts, Wisconsin as a youth spotlight.  The son of Kyle and Gretchen Rozeboom, Owen has one brother, Kelton, 9, and one sister, Landrey, 18 months.  Owen attends St. Croix Central Elementary where he enjoys playing sports, reading books, and attending art and gym class.  Outside of school, Owen likes to play baseball and soccer, work with his pigs, and go to AWANA classes at his church.

Owen first started showing pigs when he was three years old at the World Pork Expo.  When asked why he shows pigs, Owen answered, “to win money and meet all the new people at the different shows.”  The prizes and money he can win are the things he enjoys most about showing pigs.  Owen’s favorite shows are the National Junior Summer Spectacular, World Pork Expo, and Minnesota State Fair.

Some of Owen’s accomplishments include placing 10th in Sweepstakes and10th in Skillathon at the 2010 NJSS, 2nd in Sweepstakes and 2nd in Skillathon at the Minnesota State Fair, and 1st place in the Humor category of the Photography Contest at the 2009 NJSS.

Owen’s most memorable moment in the NJSA was when his bred and owned gilt, DJ, placed 2nd in her class in the 2010 NJSS Duroc show.  About the NJSA, Owen would like to tell younger members that, “it is a lot of fun to show pigs with people from all over the United States.”

In the upcoming year, Owen plans to finish playing t-ball and start playing soccer and flag football this fall.  He is also looking forward to possibly showing at the Southeast Regional in Perry, Georgia and watching his herd of Durocs and Hampshires continue to get better.  Although his parents currently make most of the breeding decisions, he wants to begin to help more.  Owen’s future plans are to design and construct a lot of different buildings.

The NJSA would like to congratulate Owen on all of his accomplishments and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors!

Submitted by Cally Hass, 2010 NJSA Intern