Madison Schumacher of the McClain FFA chapter signed with Blinn College on Jan. 18. Schumacher will be attending Blinn on a scholarship to judge livestock on the collegiate level.
She has been on the chapter’s State General Livestock Judging team for two years. Through these contests, Schumacher has had the opportunity to learn and apply the livestock industry and production priorities through evaluation of breeding and market cattle, swine, sheep and goats. She has represented the chapter well in all contests. In both years that Madison has competed, her team won trips to judge livestock nationally. These contests were the World Beef Expo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the National Western in Denver, Colorado.
Over the summer, the chapter attended the Northwest Georgia Livestock Judging Camp. As Schumacher prepared and gave reasons for various collegiate livestock judging teams, she made connections with the affiliates of Blinn College. These individuals showed interest in Schumacher and because of that, a trip was planned to go to Blinn College in Texas almost a month later.
“Not only is this scholarship a great opportunity for Madison, but it is also opening the door to endless opportunities for the younger members in the chapter,” according to Chris Fitzpatrick, one of the McClain FFA advisors.
As Schumacher judges on the collegiate level, she will have the opportunity to travel to stock shows throughout the United States. These shows are in the states of Kentucky, Kansas, Colorado, Texas, and many more. This connection will also allow future members to possibly pursue their own dream in the livestock industry.
The chapter is very proud of Madison Schumacher and would like to wish her the best of luck as she ventures to Texas and makes it her own opinion.
Article submitted by Emily Jones, reporter for the McClain FFA chapter.
