The Bellville High School FFA students made a strong showing at this year’s Austin County Fair, bringing home numerous awards and showcasing their hard work, dedication, and skills. From livestock competitions to showmanship events, Bellville’s FFA members excelled in a variety of categories, cementing their reputation as one of the top programs in the county.
Among the standout performances was Rhett Fromme, who earned Reserve Grand Champion Broilers, while Savannah Goebel claimed Reserve Grand Champion Filly honors. Matthew Wybro impressed with his achievements, taking home both the Reserve Grand Champion Heifer and the title of Grand Champion Sr. Heifer Showmanship, marking a stellar performance for the senior. Katie Schumann secured Reserve Grand Champion Pen of Heifers, rounding out an impressive showing in the livestock category.
In the highly competitive steer division, Todd Helmcamp captured the coveted title of Grand Champion Steer, while Lane Locke took top honors with the Grand Champion Hog. Layne Malinowski was another standout, earning Reserve Grand Champion Hog and Reserve Champion Sr. Swine Showmanship.
The showmanship events showcased Bellville FFA’s deep talent pool, with Avery Goebel winning Grand Champion Sr. Horse Showmanship and Ally Estep securing 2nd place. Taylor Eckelberg shone in the Sr. Steer Showmanship category, earning the Grand Champion title, with Lauren Bolcik following closely as Reserve Grand Champion.
Bellville FFA’s Gracie Johnson also made her mark, winning Grand Champion Senior Beef Skillathon, with Maddison Diezi taking the Reserve Grand Champion spot. The students also demonstrated excellence in livestock judging, with the team of Levi Malinowski, Taylor Eckelberg, Darcy Luedke, and Paisley Miller taking 1st place in the Livestock Judging competition.
Bellville’s Tractor Tech team, consisting of Carter McClendon, Zachary Herlong, and Wayne Browning, also claimed 1st place, adding another prestigious win to their list of accomplishments.
Other notable wins include:
- Grand Champion Sr. Broiler Showmanship – Fallon Chovanec
- Grand Champion Scramble Showmanship – Kaesee Brune
- Grand Champion Sr. Lamb Showmanship – Destynie Brokmeyer
With such a successful showing, Bellville FFA continues to demonstrate its strength and leadership in agricultural competitions, while fostering the skills and development of its students. Congratulations to all participants for their hard work and dedication, and for representing Bellville so well at the Austin County Fair!
