LYNCHBURG, Va. – Months of meticulous work paid off in a big way for 17 members of the Appomattox County High School FFA, who brought home a raft of awards from the recent Central Virginia Livestock Show (CVLS) held at the Lynchburg Livestock Market.

The students spent countless hours on local farms and the Appomattox FFA Alumni Land Laboratory, dedicating themselves to raising, feeding, grooming, and training their goats, lambs, cattle, and hogs for the prestigious competition.

The show featured twelve distinct contests, judged by Abigayle Pollock of Blacksburg, with Agricultural Extension Agent John Benner officiating the carcass show. Competitions were divided into three main categories: showmanship, which judges a student’s handling skills and knowledge of their animal; market contests, which evaluate animals for high-quality meat production; and breeding shows, which focus on selecting superior stock for future generations.

In a heartwarming addition this year, chapter member Savannah Jones coordinated the introduction of an inclusive “Sunshine Showmanship Class” for students with special needs, allowing them to partner with an exhibitor to show a sheep or goat. Appomattox students Haley Dowdy, Emily McCauley, and Jenaye McCauley all participated with great success in the inaugural event.

Success in the Swine Barn

Appomattox students made a powerful showing in the swine competitions. Rylee Stratton had a standout performance, with her market hogs earning Overall Reserve Grand Champion, Champion Lightweight, and Reserve Champion Mediumweight titles. Her hogs also swept the carcass show, winning both Grand and Reserve Champion.

Eleanor McCann claimed the Champion Heavyweight Market Hog title, while Firebaugh earned Reserve Champion Lightweight Market Hog and Ballagh took Reserve Champion Heavyweight Market Hog. In showmanship, a measure of an exhibitor’s skill, Layton Firebaugh was named Champion Senior Novice Showman, with Rylee Stratton earning Reserve Champion Senior Showman and Eleanor McCann taking Reserve Champion Junior Showman.

Other top finishers in the swine events included Niki Ballagh, Tim Henderson, Colton Jones, and Peyton Thacker, who earned high placings in showmanship, market, and breeding gilt classes.

Cattle Exhibitors Claim Top Honors

In the cattle ring, three Appomattox members excelled. Rylee Stratton continued her winning streak, being crowned Champion Senior Beef Showman. Her registered Angus heifer won Champion Supreme Breeding Heifer, the top honor in the breeding cattle show.

Kyle Prince had an impressive showing, earning Reserve Champion Senior Beef Showman. His commercial heifer was named Grand Champion Commercial Heifer and Reserve Champion Supreme Heifer. Savannah Jones also found success, with her steer named Reserve Champion Lightweight Market Steer and her cow-calf pair winning Grand Champion.

Lamb and Goat Shows Bring More Blue Ribbons

Seven members exhibited market lambs, with numerous top placings. Chloe Wilson’s lamb was named Champion Lightweight Market Lamb. Reserve Champion honors went to Kat Broyhill (Lightweight) and Lillian McCann (Mediumweight). In showmanship, Lacey Hodges was named Reserve Champion Senior Novice. Kat and Rose Broyhill, Saige Dotterer, Savannah Jones, Lillian McCann, and Chloe Wilson all placed well in highly competitive showmanship and market classes.

The goat show saw Kyle Prince take home the Overall Grand Champion Market Goat title. He was also named the Reserve Champion Senior Goat Showman, and his breeding doe was crowned Reserve Champion Breeding Doe.

Other goat exhibitors with strong showings included Niki Ballagh, Rose Broyhill, Chloe Dejong, Ethan Dowdy, and Tim Henderson, who all earned top-five placings in their respective showmanship and market classes.

A Community Effort

The success of the livestock team, the first of its kind at a high school in Virginia, is a point of pride for the entire county and a testament to strong community backing. The team extended a special thank you to Chris Sams for hauling the show animals and to Coleman’s Farm Supply for sponsoring team t-shirts.

Dozens of local businesses, farms, and individuals sponsored the students’ animal projects, purchasing them at the conclusion of the show and helping to fund future endeavors.

To support the 2025 Appomattox FFA Livestock Show Team, please contact Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor Ed McCann, Jr., at Appomattox County High School at (434) 352-8396.