Savannah Miller "A True Champion" Interview

If you have not already read her stand up essay "A true Champion" in the latest issue of Pacific Showcase magazine then we suggest you get your hands on a copy ASAP! Here is a sneak peek of her essay:

"When we are little and running around the livestock shows, we assume the winners are the people who are standing in front of the backdrop with the judge driving away with a backseat filled with awards. Once we reach the age to be in the show ring though, we realize there are many more qualities that compose a winner than just titles. Being a winner means that you are a determined, gracious, helpful person. We see that the true winners are the ones who worked hard everyday at home with their animals (not their parents or siblings), who busted their butts off on show day getting those animals show ready, and who can walk away from the ring with a smile on their face whether they were selected supreme or not. The titles do not define us, how we carry ourselves and our work ethic define the winner within us."  

  

-Savannah Miller 

We were so impressed with Savannah's essay, and how well it correlated with the Earn Purple definition of  "A True Champion," we interviewed her, in hopes of helping those of you determined to become A true Champion.

1. Age
17

2. School

Senior at Corning Union High School. I'm graduating this friday.

3. location
Richfield, CA

4. What species have you shown and your history in 4-H and FFA

I've been showing pigs in 4-H and FFA since I was nine years old. I did go through a phase where I showed pgymy goats for a while when I was young, but it didn't last long. In 4-H, I was the secretary and was a member for eight years. I've been very involved with the FFA at my high school. My sophomore year I served as the chapter historian and during my junior and senior year I served as the chapter president. I have been participated in livestock judging contests,B.I.G, farm records, and open&closing ceremonies contests. I have won the Superior Region's Swine Placement Proficiency award for the past three years and was named the Outstanding President at the 2011 Shasta Section Opening and Closing Ceremonies contest. I was named my chapter's Star Greenhand my freshman year and was named the Star Chapter Farmer my sophomore and senior years.

6. Savannah we noticed you have U.C. Davis as your school, are you currently a student or is that where you got accepted for the fall?

This fall I will be attending UC Davis as a freshman.

7. What do you plan on majoring in?

I will be majoring in animal science. I will be working towards becoming a large animal veterinarian specializing in swine.

8. How has showing livestock helped you in school?

Showing livestock has made me become a hard working, passionate, determined person. As I mentioned before, I want to become a veterinarian someday, which means I had to take rigorous classes and keep a high GPA in high school. I carried on the attributes I gained from showing livestock into my school work. I worked hard to get good grades and didn't give up when class work became difficult. It was a challenge at time to keep my grades up since I missed school for livestock shows a lot, but my determination pushed me to over come the challenges and I will now be graduating high school with a 4.2 GPA.

9. What would you say is the best part about showing livestock?

The best part about showing livestock, besides being in the ring, would be hanging out with friends and traveling. I have met so many people from showing livestock and have became close to most of them over the past four years while competing at jackpot shows. It also has been amazing to drive through majority of California and Oregon. It's neat seeing the different towns and cities while driving to the next show.

10. What have you learned from showing livestock?

I have learned you will not accomplish anything if you don't work for it. Showing livestock requires a lot of time and effort. If you want to be successful in the ring, you have to be willing to put the hours and work into your livestock. It has also taught me to live in the moment and don't let the past hold you down. Over the years I have heard this phrase many times: "Different judge, different day." Just because you didn't do well at one show doesn't mean next weekend you will place the same and if you win this show, savor the moment because next weekend you could place last.

11. Do you feel that livestock showmen have a responsibility to educate others who are not from an agriculture background?

Showing livestock at county and state fairs presents the youth with a perfect opportunity to educate the public about their project. Many people have their own idea about livestock that is often times wrong. Livestock shows are one of the only times most people see these animals before they're on their plates and the only opportunity for the public to interact with people who raise the livestock. We in the livestock industry, young or old, should take advantage of this and take the time to educate these people about the livestock we are so passionate about.

12. Besides showing livestock, what are your other hobbies?

In high school, I played basketball for two years and field hockey for three years. However, my pigs rank over sports to me and have became my main focus.

13. Has the responsibility and discipline it takes to raise animals, helped you in your other hobbies and school, if so how?

It definitely has helped me in everything I have done during high school. Whether it was pushing myself during my field hockey practices when it was 110 degrees out or staying up late to perfect a school project, my personal characterists I have acquired from showing livestock has helped me. Most people would give up or be alright with turning in a medicore project that would receive just a passing grade, however showing livestock has taught me to push through the struggles even when it seems like there is no hope and never let good enough be good enough.

14. Define "Champion"

A champion is a hard working, passionate, determined person who has good sportsmanship and puts their livestock above themselves.

Thank you Savannah Miller! And a huge thank you to Pacific Showcase Magazine for having this awesome Essay Contest! Be on the look out for the July/August Issue of Pacific Showcase, there's a little surprise in their from yours truely :)