August 29, 2011
By: Victor G. Guerra
I had the opportunity this past weekend to give a motivational speech on leadership at the 5W Cattle Company Field Day and judge showmanship. From the moment I stepped foot on the grounds I was impressed with the group of kids that had made the decision to spend this hot summer day learning and improving themselves through their beef cattle projects. I know that for some the decision was not theirs, so to all those parents that made the decision to get them there, I commend you.
I spoke to the kids about how each of them is a leader, if nothing else they are the leader of their lives. I urged them to build a solid foundation, as someone would when building a house. This foundation was made up of their morals and ethics, what they believed to be right and wrong. I also told them that in formulating their morals they must ask as many questions as possible, because along the way there would be several individuals challenging them to stray from these standards and crack the foundation their lives were built upon. I used the most famous ten two letter words (“If it is to be, it is up to me”) to encourage them to set clearly defined goals and take initiative in accomplishing them. I shared a story with them about how I acted out of line one time after being placed 4th with my steer my junior year at our local show. When I thought no one was looking back at the trailer, I threw my show stick in anger and shook my head looking back at the show ring. In no time, Mrs. Susan Brown came over to the trailer and had me by my neck collar telling me how I better shape up because rather I knew it or not, some of the kids there looked up to me. I told these kids that exact thing, that somewhere someone looks up to them and that they needed to take this responsibility of being a role model seriously. Finally, I told them to volunteer for the leadership opportunities that are all around them and that their actions often speak louder than their words.
The very first Heart of Simbrah Show was held at the conclusion of the field day and it was a great one. The quality of kids and cattle were impressive and the show was well attended. Both Javier Moreno, a fellow Simbrah breeder and Mando Correa, a well respected local Ag teacher both did a fine job of judging the kids and cattle. I believe that it is a great testament to this breed to see new events like this show being created; it is a clear sign that the breed is growing and growing in the right direction, by developing our youth through our cattle. One of the many highlights for me was seeing Klarissa Cantu still smiling at 11 pm as they were loading out after a full day of participating in the field day, showing in two showmanship contests and a heifer and steer show. Attitude is everything. With our hearts in the right place by focusing on these kids, I am determined that the breed and the future of it, is headed in the right direction.
I highly recommend attending the 5W Cattle Company Field Day and Heart of Simbrah Show next year, as it was a fun and educational day had by all. A BIG HEARTY THANKS to the Ron & Rhonda Wells Family for all that they did to make yet another great Simbrah event possible.
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