<![CDATA[Tiger Times]]> <![CDATA[Tiger Times]]> /Portals/2/logos/__TFMF_bodqsh45e14qs555indll5ix_3de685ce-4c52-4a09-a948-8b78d18a30dc_0___Selected.jpg en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 20 May 2013 20:50:30 GMT 15 <![CDATA[Monkey see, monkey do]]> By Morgan Shalna

Julie Mancini
Elizabeth Wright poses inthe pen with her hog, Juniper that she is raising for the Soutehastern Youth Fair in February.

How Elizabeth Wright got involved in the Southeastern Youth Fair is a case of “monkey see, monkey do.” Wright followed her older sisters Samantha’s footsteps. Samantha and Elizabeth are both second generation youth fair participants. Their father, Craig also showed a steer during high school. Wright is currently an 11 th grader at Dunnellon High who also plays volleyball, soccer and softball and maintains a GPA near 4.0. This is her 7 th year in the fair. This year she is showing a hog named Juniper. Wright said it’s a little harder to raise a hog now that her sister isn’t living at home. The two used to help each other with the care of the animals. Now, with the homework of advanced placement classes plus her sports, Wright is finding she is rushing around and having trouble spending as much time working with her hog, which is kept in a pen behind her home. Wright has had some success at the fair. In 5 th grade she placed 5 th in her class, and in 8 th grade she placed 1 st in her class. Every year she learns a little more about responsibility and time management although she says there is always room for improvement. When it’s time to show, Wright knows exactly the thoughts that go through her head: “Where’s my pig? Where’s the judge?” “I think, ‘my pig, the judge, my smile,” she said, knowing that smiling and appearing to be in control of the situation is a good way to impress the judges. Win or lose, Wright said she simply looks forward to the fair itself. She loves to hang out with her friends, meet new people and reconnect with people she doesn’t see often. “I enjoy all the people,” said Wright. “And the ice cream, the homemade ice cream.” As far as her hog is concerned, “It all depends on the judge and what he likes in a hog,” said Wright. “It’s not all about winning, and I’ve had my share of years without placing. It’s about having fun. Placing would make it just a little better!” Wright is hoping for the best, but if this isn’t her year for a ribbon, she’s not worried. She still has one more year. ]]> Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:22:46 GMT