Mary Jane Gilbert

Mary Jane Gilbert, 13, is the daughter of Jeannie and Clay. She will be in eighth grade this fall. She has one 4-year-old sister, Autumn.

Mary Jane has been showing pigs for five years. She began showing pigs because her parents enjoyed showing pigs when they were younger and Mary Jane began to enjoy showing pigs more and more. She also shows lambs and other species. She thinks it is neat how shows can evaluate all of the hard work you have put into your project.

Her most memorable show ring experience was winning reserve champion at the Arizona State Fair – and then going on to win showmanship that same night. Mary Jane has attended the NJSA Southwest Regional, the Arizona Nationals, Arizona State Fair and Southern Arizona Livestock Association Circuit shows. Her accomplishments include finishing third overall at the Arizona Nationals, being named champion showman at numerous shows and receiving 20 belt buckles and 3 showboxes.

Mary Jane enjoys being a part of the NJSA because she says it’s a great experience and it’s nice to know that there are other shows all around the country. She learned a lot by going to the Southwest Regional, she said.

Mary Jane is the president of the Panqueverde Valley 4-H club. She enjoys gymnastics, writing poetry and showing pigs. She would like to be a cheerleader someday, too.

In the future she hopes to attend Oklahoma State University or the University of Arizona to become a professor in meat science. 


Article contributed by AJ Genter, NJSA Vice President and
Jena Crone, NJSA member.