The NJSA would like to recognize Yimmi Fontenot, 12, of Iowa, Louisiana as a youth spotlight.  Yimmi is the daughter of John and Joanna Fontenot.  She is a 7th grade student at Lacassine Junior High where she is on the honor roll and participates in dance and basketball.  She also enjoys gymnastics and competing in pageants and currently holds the title of Miss Deb. Kinder.  Yimmi takes great pride in her Native American heritage.  Her grandfather was a full-blooded Choctaw Indian and her name means “little darling” in Choctaw.

Yimmi started showing pigs four years ago at the age of eight.  She is thankful for her father and Cody Hayes for sparking her interest in showing pigs.  Yimmi became a member of the NJSA around three years ago when she was introduced to the organization through Mr. Hayes.  Some of the shows she has exhibited at include: World Pork Expo Junior National, National Junior Summer Spectacular, Southwest Regional, Denver, and many state shows.  Her favorite show is the World Pork Expo Junior National because of all the trade show booths and because she gets to see all of her friends from across the country.  When asked what she enjoyed most about showing pigs she replied, “I enjoy meeting new people and being able to spend time with my family.” 

Yimmi has participated in skillathon, judging, showmanship, and speech contest and loves them all.  But when asked what her favorite contest is she said, “Showmanship because you get to be with your hog and show and that is what I do best.”  She has had much success in NJSA including being in the top 10 in showmanship at World Pork Expo the past two years, 4th place in the sweepstakes contest at the 2010 Southwest Regional, and receiving 5th place in the Junior Speech Contest at the 2010 National Junior Summer Spectacular.  However, her most memorable accomplishment was at the 2008 National Junior Summer Spectacular when she received Reserve Hampshire Gilt.  Yimmi would like to encourage younger members to take advantage of all opportunities the NJSA has to offer by saying, “NJSA is an adventure of a lifetime, you will never love anything more because you get to meet great people and spend time with family.” 

Yimmi would like to thank all those who have helped her get where she is today including: her parents, John and Joanna, her uncle Kenneth, Kyle Swettfinger, Jerry Mclemore, Willie Kirkpatrick, and Eric Polich.  These people have all made a positive impact on her life and she is thankful for them. Yimmi and her family are also very thankful for the NJSA and they thank God every day for the blessings they are able to share as a family.  Her future plans are to continue showing and competing at NJSA shows and events.  She also is looking forward to graduating from 8th grade and hopes to be the valedictorian for her school.  Then she would like to attend high school and college with the dream of becoming an oral surgeon.

The NJSA would like to congratulate Yimmi on all her amazing accomplishments and wish her the best of luck on all her future endeavors!

Submitted by Rebecca Bailey, 2010-2011 NJSA President