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Several Drew County youth earned top honors this year at the Arkansas State Fair, showcasing months of dedication and hard work with their livestock projects. A select group of those exhibitors also advanced to the prestigious Purple Circle Banquet, sponsored by Arkansas Farm Bureau, the highest recognition offered in Arkansas livestock showing.
“These kids dedicate themselves year-round to their animals, and their passion is truly inspiring,” said 4-H Livestock Leader Turah Rush.
Eleven Drew County students brought home titles from the Arkansas State Fair in September. Those students were Braden Bussell, Madison Bussell, Peyton Leek, Maci Liad, Colton Reed, Rhett Berryman, River Eubanks, Canyon Craig, Kameryn Rodriguez, Nora Rodriguez and Joslyn Rodriguez.
Of those exhibitors, six were selected for the Purple Circle Banquet: Colton Reed, Rhett Berryman, River Eubanks, Nora Rodriguez, Joslyn Rodriguez and Kameryn Rodriguez.
The Arkansas Purple Circle Club was established in 1953 to recognize youth exhibitors at the Arkansas State Fair who achieved championship honors with their livestock. Arkansas Power & Light, now Entergy, served as the founding sponsor for 53 years before sponsorship transitioned to Arkansas Farm Bureau in 2005.
This year, 235 awards were presented to 167 inductees statewide, including the six honorees from Drew County. The banquet was held Saturday, November 15, at the Benton Event Center.
Local students participate in livestock programs through 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA). Along the way, they learn hands-on life skills — from feeding, sheltering and grooming their animals to understanding basic veterinary care. Rush said those lessons build confidence, responsibility and leadership in ways that stay with students long after the competitions end.
Each fall, Drew County hosts the Youth Livestock Auction during the county fair, giving students the opportunity to showcase and sell the animals they’ve spent months raising.
4-H is open to youth ages five to 19, and new members are welcome at any time. Families can sign up through the Arkansas 4-H website. Drew Central is currently the only school in Monticello offering an FFA program.
For the Drew County students, the ribbons, titles and banquet invitations are meaningful milestones — but those who work with them say the real reward runs deeper. Each early morning feeding, every setback in the show ring and every moment spent caring for an animal teaches resilience, compassion and pride in a job done well. As these young exhibitors return home from another successful season, they carry with them not only honors from the Arkansas State Fair, but the confidence that comes from knowing hard work and dedication truly make a difference.
