photo by Scott Mims

Animal antics: Brittany Ray and Justin Mims win a goat dressing contest Friday. The object of the game is to completely dress a goat in the fastest time.

Rounding 'em up

Ag event benefits humane society, school

By Scott Mims (Contact) | Clanton Advertiser

Published Saturday, April 18, 2009

Jemison High School students got a little rowdy Friday afternoon at the inaugural FFA Ag Roundup, which included several wild and crazy events that involved farm animals.

Students representing each class paired up to compete in wheelbarrow racing, three-legged racing, piggy-back racing, barrel racing, goat dressing and — perhaps the most fun of all — a greased pig chase.

The roundup was a fundraiser put on by the school’s veterinary science class and FFA. A fourth of the proceeds went to the Chilton County Humane Society, and the rest was split between the vet science class and FFA.

Two volunteers were picked from each homeroom class to make a total of about 60 competitors.

Sophomore Matthew Glenn was among them, and his team won a “goat-dressing” contest — a timed competition that required putting clothes on a goat.

“The hardest part was getting its head through the shirt after we got the legs in,” Glenn admitted, adding that his team was very careful when they put the shorts on the goat, for obvious reasons.

In the end, it really didn’t matter who won. What mattered was everyone had a great time helping a good cause.

After the games, the students brought dogs from the humane society onto the football field to show them off. The audience was invited to meet and greet the animals.

Special guests at the roundup were Miss Rodeo Alabama Victoria Jeffcoat and Chilton County Humane Society Director Paula Jo Mattingly. Jeffcoat signed free autographs.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to do this for many more years,” Agriscience instructor Julie Davis said. “We have great kids here. This event is fun, and it relates to what I teach.”

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