Board recognizes St. Tammany junior livestock exhibitors; 92 exhibitors shown, association leaders and students speak

The St. Tammany Parish School Board offered special recognition to junior livestock exhibitors and 4‑H leaders at its May 15 meeting, highlighting the program’s role in student leadership and family involvement.

Brent Spell, identified at the meeting as president of the St. Tammany Parish Livestock Association, introduced 4‑H agent Olivia Picard, who told the board the parish had 92 livestock exhibitors showing more than 450 animals at the recent parish show. “These young people represent the heart of what 4‑H and agricultural education stand for,” Ms. Picard said.

Students spoke about what the program taught them. Zoe Simons, a recent Pearl River High School graduate and exhibitor, described starting with poultry in elementary school and later showing goats and cattle; she thanked ag teachers and 4‑H leaders and recounted receiving the Kathy Jo Thompson award at her final parish show. Freshman Aubrey Nunez of Covington High described livestock showing as “responsibility and discipline” that taught her leadership and confidence.

Longtime volunteer Dennis Glass (referred to in remarks as a 70‑year 4‑H participant) told the board the program is a family activity that has sustained multiple generations and credited parishwide support for keeping a youth livestock sale operating in St. Tammany Parish when similar sales have ended elsewhere.

Board members praised teachers, volunteers and students and asked attendees to stand for recognition. President Green thanked the students, volunteers and parents and recessed briefly to allow those being recognized to depart if they wished.

Why it matters: board members emphasized the program’s extracurricular benefits — public speaking, leadership, responsibility and community ties — and the district said it values continued support for ag teachers and 4‑H volunteers.