Monday, April 19, 2010

An Aggie Fun-Filled Weekend

Hello SJ Fans and Followers! This past weekend, April 17-18 was the Annual Parent's Weekend at Texas A&M University. It has almost been an entire year since I graduated from TAMU. It is still a bittersweet feeling, because those 4 years were honestly the best days of my life! The rewarding part about it all is the fact that I still live in College Station and play an active role in the Animal Science Department, The Beef Center and the Saddle and Sirloin Club (due to all of my fabulous friends and role models!)

So, I figured I should share a little bit about this past weekend and my career at Texas A&M in the blog this week. Saddle and Sirloin is the largest club at the University and its primary focus is the promotion of animal agriculture through meetings, career opportunities, socials, community service events and supporting the judging teams. I served as an officer for 3 years while I was a member of the club, those being Treasurer, Sweetheart and President.

My friend, Dustin Burke, who was also an S&S member and fellow livestock judging team member, headed out the the Little Southwestern Showmanship Contest, Cookoff and Ham Auction taking place at Louis Pearce Pavilion on Friday night. We had a fun time watching all the members compete in the showmanship competition, enjoyed the yummy food cooked by all the cook-off teams, and even bought a few items in the Auction. Burke and I split some brownies baked by Jeannie Smith, mother of Jennifer Ann Smith (Current S&S Officer and dear college friend of mine). I also bought a photo session from an officer who is starting up his own photography business, so look for those in the near future!

On Saturday morning, I headed over to the Washington County Fairgrounds in Brenham to judge a Texas Junior Brangus Show. For those followers who don't already know--I grew up actively showing Brangus cattle and am still a breeder raising show heifers. Tanner's mom and little sister came to watch me, since Tanner was busy working at the Beef Center preparing for the 1st Annual Production Sale. Also, Tanner's little sister, Emily, is a new Junior Brangus member and will be showing a "Royal Genetics" bred Brangus heifer this next year.

Saturday evening was the Spring Banquet, and even though this event takes sooooo long since there is so much business to cover, but I still went to support some dear friends, see old Animal Sciene Alumni and enjoy the Pork Loin prepared by the Meats Judging Team. Also, I am proud to say that Ashleigh Sowell (my brother's girlfriend) was selected as the Outstanding Freshman of the club and Emily Huskinson (a dear S&S friend and SJ model) was selected as the Outstanding Sophomore of the club! Yay!

After the banquet, the 2009 Livestock Judging Team dunked their rings together at Pearce Pavilion. This of course brought back memories from our ring dunk which was this same weekend a year ago. Some other members of my livestock judging team along with my favorite roomie Mandi McDaniel all dunked our rings together! But, it was fun to see a lot of old friends and parents at the ring dunk! And a shout out to Devin Felger (my favorite Rodeo Queen) for sharing her super awesome Peach Smoothie drink with me that night.

And the last event of the weekend was the 1st Annual TAMU Beef Center Production Sale. I was very proud to see Mr. Paul Maulsby (Beef Center Manager) pull off a very successful first sale. Tanner worked all weekend at the beef center preparing the cattle, keeping them nicely presented to be viewed, and working in the back during the week.

Now on to some pictures, rather than rambling....

This is Emily and I at the Little Southwestern Showmanship Contest watching Devin!

Below you will see the absolute cutest dressed rookie sheep showman: Miss Devin Felger!

This is my new favorite picture of Tanner and I. It was taken right after the S&S Ham Auction on Friday evening.


This is a picture of my family and I after the S&S Banquet last year. I was awarded as the Outstanding Senior and won the Brewer Award, which is awarded to the top senior in the Animal Science Department each spring.

This is a shot of us right before we dunked our rings last year. From left is Luke Neumayr (check out his blog at www.outlittleranchintexas.blogspot.com), Shelly, Mandi, myself, Burke, and Kari Bailes.

This is a shot of Dr. Hussey (Dean of College of Ag) and myself last year at Ag Convocation. I received a Senior Merit award.


But even after I shared all of this from my time at TAMU, I am soooo glad that I pursued Southern Jewlz full time, rather than taking any of job or staying in graduate school. Until the next blog........peace, love and jewlz!

1 comment:

Holli said...

YAY for Randa! Again, sorry I didn't make it to Texas.