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A Win for All
by Jennifer Shike
When people ask me what the key to success is at the National Junior Summer Spectacular, my answer is quit simple. There are no magical formulas or equations that cause this event to be one of the most exciting junior livestock shows in the country. All it takes is teamwork. Without it, the show would not go on.
As I looked out across the crowd present at the final awards ceremony during the Summer Spectacular, I couldn’t help but notice the many youth, parents, NSR youth advisory board members, NJSA Board members, NSR staff, industry volunteers, purebred breeders, boar stud owners, and even my own family, who were crucial to the success of this spectacular event.
It takes many people to make an event of this magnitude succeed.
Whether you judged the speech contest or took drinks to the ring workers, you were an essential part of the master plan for this event.
You didn’t even have to be on my “list” to be a part of our team. If you helped a young child get to the ring or welcomed a new family to our show, please accept my sincerest thanks.
It takes all of us working together – each and every one of us who walked through the barn at Louisville – to achieve a win.
I can’t begin to share all of the kind comments, excitement, thanks and enthusiasm that I heard and felt from the kids who participated in the Summer Spectacular.
Our NJSA members and parents alike truly love this event and everyone who helps make it possible.
I hesitate to publicly thank people after an event like the NJSS because there were literally hundreds of people who gave their time, energy and efforts to make this show possible.
However, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank a few special people.
The swine industry is blessed to be led by a talented, passionate, innovative leader – Darrell Anderson. His guidance and support enables me to be the best that I can be.
Thanks, Darrell, for believing in the NJSA. And thanks for believing in me and allowing me to be in the position I am in today.
To Mike Paul, thanks for your hard work and hours of preparation.
You never get the credit you deserve for your talents (this may be because you are always behind the scenes taking care of the details)!
The NJSA intern, Brian Arnold, has been a tremendous asset to our program this summer.
Brian, thanks for your attention to details, your enthusiasm for the NJSA and your willingness to do whatever is needed to get the job done right!
A special thanks to my husband, Dan, for the encouragement he provides on a daily basis. Dan, with you by my side, I believe there is nothing I can’t do if I put my mind to it. I appreciate your passion for youth and the livestock industry and your willingness to help out wherever needed.
And finally, thanks to the NJSA Board for their assistance in planning the NJSS and for carrying out the details at the show.
During the NJSA Annual Meeting on Friday night, the retiring NJSA board members presented me with a gift that I will treasure for years to come.
It’s a wall hanging that bears these words, “Teamwork: When we all work together, we all win together.”
Did you catch the “we” in that quote? As an industry, we need to remember that if we aren’t working together, we are working against each other. What a waste of energy!
Let’s go out and win… together.
