State Fair Grand Champion from Payson High

For the first time in Payson High history, a student from our school is the State Fair Grand Champion in pigs.  Michelle Bobo won State Fair Grand Champion.

 The State Fair is quite an intense competition. The State Fair is the most difficult competition that exists for high school students. Rylan Huff, an FFA member, explained that the competitors load up their entries and arrive at the Fair early Thursday morning. Later, the competitors enter the showmanship portion of the contest. Judges analyze how the competitors walk with their pig, work with their pig, and interact with their pig. After the showmanship portion is over, the competitors move onto market judging. In this judges judge the pig on structure, build, and weight. The pigs are then put in pens and placed in brackets until only one pig remains.

 When asked what Michelle did differently that set her pig apart from the rest, she explained all the time and effort she went to with her pig. She said she walked her pig every day and night. Michelle also applied baby lotion to her pig, so that the skin would be “soft and shiny”. Three weeks before the fair she put her pig on a diet. She had to wake up at 5:30 every morning to feed him. Michelle’s pig ended up weighing 284 pounds, which is astounding because the perfect show weight is 280 pounds. She worked hard with her pig and accomplished a lot. She spent at least 2 hours a day for over a month taking care of her pig. She spent around $400 on her pig.

 $400 may seem like a lot to spend, but the money did not go to waste. On average, State Fair pigs sell for anywhere between $300 and $500. However, Michelle’s pig, being the Grand Champion, sold for over $2,500.

Michelle said, “It’s a lot of work, but it’s totally worth it. It’s a great learning experience.”  Mr. Russell, the FFA advisor, said, “It’s really awesome because it is a once in a life-time opportunity.”

 Michelle Bobo will participate in the State Fair next year.