NJSA would like to congratulate Maddie Butler, 16, of Vincennes, Indiana as a youth spotlight.  Maddie is the daughter of Rob and Casey Butler and has one younger sister Mallory.  Maddie is currently a sophomore at South Knox high school, where she is involved with FFA, the Spanish Club, Student Council, the Science Academic Team, the Business Professionals of America, and many more.  Out of school Maddie spends the majority of her time with 4-H, showing, and livestock judging.

Maddie has been showing pigs for seven years, getting her beginning at her local county fair.  It was her parents who got her involved with the swine industry as they grew up showing and encouraged her to get involved.  She started with a few pigs her first year and stuck with it ever since.  As for NJSA, she has been a member for five years and she can thank her fellow showman for her involvement.  Her friends told her about the opportunities and how much fun it is so she signed up and attended the National Junior Summer Spectacular as her first NJSA show.

After her first NJSS, she has since continued to attend, along with participating in the Southeast Regional, National Barrow Show, the North American, and World Pork Expo.  When asked about what she enjoys most about showing, Maddie says, “meeting all the new people, all the opportunities, and getting to spend time with the family, because hog shows are sort of like our vacation.” Maddie also takes part in the different contests that NJSA offers as well, with showmanship being her favorite.  She enjoys how it is all based on you, so there is more control over your performance.

Maddie has performed well since becoming a member as well.  She has been 4th overall at NJSS, placed 3rd and 4th numerous times in the speech contest, was 5th in showmanship at National Barrow Show, and then won Intermediate Sweepstakes this past January at the Southeast Regional which has been one of her most memorable moments since being in NJSA.  Outside of NJSA, Maddie is quite successful, staying an Honor Student in school, 1st place in both FFA Speech and Creed Speaking at their district contest, 3rd in both at their state contest, 2nd in interview skills through Business Professionals of America, and numerous Livestock Judging successes.

As she moves into the future, Maddie plans to stay involved with agriculture.  Currently, she would like to be a livestock geneticist, but she is leaving the future open to change.  To the younger members, Maddie wants them to  “be involved with all of the opportunities, meet all the people you can and push yourself to get out there and talk to people, or you’ll miss some great opportunities.”  As a word of parting, Maddie would like to thank her family and friends for making her NJSA experience great.
The NJSA would like to congratulate Maddie on being such an outstanding role model and NSJA member, and wish her the best of luck at all of her future endeavors and shows!