Landon Walters, a Sophomore at Huntington High School, is shown here with a miniature horse at the Lufkin Expo. Landon is one of the students participating in the Reach for the Stars show at the Angelina County Youth Fair at the Angelina County Fair.
One of the best events you’ll see at the Angelina County Fair is called Reach for the Stars “Celebrating the Possibilities”. It will be a livestock show on Thursday, March 27 at 5 pm that will showcase the talents of special needs youth from across our county. Participants will be paired up with a 4-H or FFA buddy to exhibit livestock and learn that they can succeed in the show arena as well.
Landon Walters is the 16-year-old son of Damon and Veronica Walters, and has one younger sister, Tinley, all from Huntington, Texas. Landon is a student at Huntington High School where he is a sophomore.
In 5th grade Landon received an invitation to Reach for The Stars and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. His dad Damon says, “He has participated the last five years, and he looks forward to seeing the friends he makes and reconnects with year after year.”
His dad continues, “We want Landon to always know life has given him not a disability but a capability. Everyone has challenges in life that they must learn to overcome. We have always held on to the truth in Psalms 139:14 ‘I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’“
Both mom and dad agree, “We will always be Landon’s biggest fans.”
“The hardest part in showing livestock is controlling the animals and staying focused in the show ring” his parents stated, “It’s also hard to show confidence while answering the judge’s questions.” A guest judge asks each participant their name, the name of the animal they are showing, as well as some other fun questions. The judge will, however, be using a microphone so that everyone can hear and a microphone can be intimidating.
Karen Stafford is one of the volunteers leading this show. Stafford says, “I had started seeing this type of show in other counties around Texas, and I’ve seen some special needs kids showing at the major stock shows, and I just felt like it was time for us to offer something like this in our county and our community.”
“The support and enthusiasm have been overwhelmingly positive,” Stafford continues, “The response from the 4-H and FFA kids willing to donate their animals and be show buddies for the exhibitors is very heartwarming. We always have an overwhelming response of 4-H and FFA kids signing up as volunteers. Our Angelina County kids want to help in a big way.”
Looking ahead, she states, “I hope these exhibitors will see that livestock showing really is achievable for them and maybe they will consider joining a 4-H or FFA group and becoming a part of the Angelina County Fair in the future. Also, animals have calming and therapeutic effects, and I’ve seen what it can do for kids with different ranges of disabilities. These livestock animals might be what a kid needs, but they just might not know it yet.”
What is most rewarding for Landon and rest of the Walter’s family? His father, Damon, believes that “Reach for the Stars has let Landon make new friends, get introduced to showing animals, and given him a chance in the spotlight. It also shows him that he can be confident in all kinds of new activities. This event also enables him to show others that he can overcome obstacles and thrive in new areas.”
Landon’s mom, Veronica, wraps it up saying, “I wish more parents would give their children the chance to show an animal, be in the spotlight, and be special for one day. Often things are difficult, and there is no clear reward for how hard they fight for things that seem so easy to others. The Reach for the Stars Show has been very rewarding for Landon.”
Registration for the Reach for the Stars show is available online at AngelinaCountyFair.com. This is an opportunity for special needs children in grades 3 – 12. The event is free, but you must pre-register by Friday, March 21 on the website. Click on Exhibitor Contests and Entry, then “Contests we offer” and finally select the Reach for the Stars link (in orange) on the right-hand side of the page. follow the link to the Special Needs Livestock Show.
Sponsored by Pilgrim’s Pride, the public is invited to see the Reach for the Stars show at 5 pm on Thursday, March 27 in the main arena of the George H Henderson EXPO in Lufkin.
