2010 Sonoma County Fair….4-H shaping lives with fair projects!

All at once, it hit me that it was the very last time that I would be standing in front of the podium at the Sonoma County Fair’s Junior Livestock Auction.

The auctioneer began selling the next lamb. The ring men jumped and shouted with excitement at each bid. I have been showing sheep in 4-H for eight years, and it was all coming to an end as I led my lamb down the ramp into the picture line.

My lamb, “Muffin,” stood with his head in my hands and tried to nibble at the end of my white shirt sleeve. The moment was bittersweet, and I recalled how it may very well have been the last time that I changed into my crisp white 4-H uniform that I wore as I stood in line. In a couple of weeks, I will be going off to college, and walking down the auction ramp was like turning the page to a new chapter in my life.

All of the life-shaping experiences in 4-H that have driven me to be the young woman I am today will be a part of the past. However, I will forever carry the maturity, leadership and citizenship that I have gained.

Selling my lambs wasn’t as sad as it had been when I first sold at the auction. Over the years I have learned not to get attached to market animals because it just makes it hard to say goodbye. I understand from the beginning of the project year that their purpose is for market. This understanding marked one of the many ways that I have matured over the years of showing in 4-H.

When standing in line to get my picture taken with my lamb in front of the Sonoma County Fair backdrop, I thought to myself, “Was my final year of showing at the fair a success?”

At the start of the week, my goals had been to place toward the top of my showmanship class and to take the time to help the younger 4-H members prepare for the show. In the end, the fair had most certainly been a success. Although I didn’t get first in showmanship, I had put forth my best performance and felt proud of the effort that I had put into practicing and preparing. My other goal was accomplished as well. Our club worked as a team to help every member fit their lambs and prepare to show.

I didn’t end my showing career with a bang by winning in the show ring, but I was content with that. Years from now, I won’t remember what place my lamb got, but what I will remember are all of the lifelong friendships that I have made through 4-H, as well as learning the value of hard work and responsibility.

Brooke Parsons, 17, is a graduate of El Molino High School and will be attending Cornell University this fall.