Featherstons Look Forward To Fair’s Contests
The commitment of Culbertson High School students Kaden and Kalia Featherston to 4-H can be clearly seen by the quality of the animals that they show at the Roosevelt County Fair each year.
Kaden, an incoming high school junior, and Kalia, an incoming freshman, are hopeful that their recent tradition of doing well at the fair continues at this year’s event, scheduled for Aug. 7-9, in Culbertson. They are the children of Kody and Bridgette Featherston.
Kaden said he started in 4-H about 10 years ago with the urging of his parents. He remembers that sheep were his first entries at the fair. “I did pretty good for a couple of years,” he added.
As he grew, his accomplishments increased at the Roosevelt County Fair. He has earned grand champion honors for both sheep and goats. He has also received reserve champion honors.
Kalia has also captured grand champion awards for sheep and goats. At last year’s county fair, she was reserve champion for junior showmanship and earned top honors for breeding goats, sheep showmanship and market lambs.
They agree their favorite animals to work with are sheep.
“It’s because of their personality and they like to play around some,” Kaden said.
Kalia added, “I think they are fun animals to show.”
They are hopeful that they can come away with honors for their steers this time around. Kaden was called back for his steer during last year’s fair.
“That’s a big goal,” Kaden said. He feels, however, that his sister has the superior steer this year.
Kalia feels confident that she should do fairly well in both goats and sheep at the upcoming fair.
“Being with and competing against your friends to see who comes out the best,” Kaden said of what he enjoys about fair time.
The Featherstons feel that make a good team in preparing their variety of animals. Kaden performs the clipping and Kalia handles washing the animals. They do, however, have a little bit of sibling rivalry when it comes to results.
“She’s been doing a little better than me lately,” Kaden noted.
After receiving a sheep from her grandfather Doug Heny about 10 years ago, Kalia has been raising her own lambs. She now has 25 ewes. So, all the lambs have been totally raised by her.
Along with being standout 4-H members, the two are active in Culbertson’s FFA organization.
“I recommend everybody to try it and see if they like it,” Kaden said of 4-H and FFA.
During the school year, Kaden is also involved in football, student council and band.
Kalia, who is helping at the Extension office this summer, is active in basketball, volleyball and FFA during the school year.
