The NJSA would like to recognize Lizzie Schafer, 7, of Owaneco, Illinois as a youth spotlight.  Lizzie has one brother, Eric, and is the daughter of Aaron and Sue Schafer.  A first grade student at Pana Washington Elementary, Lizzie is involved in art, dance, tumbling, jazz and soccer.  In her spare time, Lizzie enjoys showing pigs and Angus cattle and playing with her friends.

Lizzie started showing pigs when she was just three years old at the Taylorville County Fair.  When asked why she shows pigs, Lizzie responded, “It is FUN!  I get to make new friends like Lynsee Shaffer, Katie Pilcher, Kayla Meyer and Hannah Miller.”  Meeting new people is what Lizzie enjoys most about showing pigs.  Her favorite show is the National Junior Summer Spectacular in Louisville, Kentucky.

Although her favorite quote is, “It is important to be a good winner and loser,” Lizzie has many accomplishments through the NJSA to boast about.  She finished 3rd this year in the All-Around Sweepstakes Circuit, 9th in Skillathon at the 2010 National Junior Summer Spectacular, 2nd in Judging and 8th in Sweepstakes at the 2010 World Pork Expo, 5th in Skillathon, 8th in Showmanship, and 7th in Sweepstakes at the 2010 Southeast Regional, had Reserve Champion Berkshire Market Hog at the 2009 NAILE, and placed 3rd in Showmanship, 5th in Skillathon, and 5th in Sweepstakes at the 2009 Eastern Regional.

Lizzie’s most memorable moment in the NJSA was having “Happy Birthday” sung to her over the microphone at the 2010 National Junior Summer Spectacular for her 7th birthday.  When asked what she would like to tell younger members about NJSA, Lizzie answered, “I love the MVP program and my mentor, Kayla Meyer.  I also like my brothers’ mentor, Miles Toenyes.  This program is the best; we have ice cream and play games!”

Currently, Lizzie is enjoying her time off of school by showing pigs and swimming at the pool!  Her future plans are to keep showing and raising pigs and go to first grade.  When she is older, Lizzie would like to be an artist and an agriculture teacher. 

The NJSA would like to congratulate Lizzie for all of her accomplishments and wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors!