Written By: Shelby Hubbard, NALJA President

As I enter into my final year of junior membership, I can’t help but to look back and be extremely
thankful for my time as a Limousin junior. I still remember my first junior nationals in Amarillo like
it was yesterday. Even as an 8 year old, I met so many people that have become lifelong
friends. There is truly nothing better than seeing my Limousin family at shows. The older I get,
and the more active I have become, I have realize the importance of a lot of things, and I’ve been able to take a more thankful perspective to shows because of it.

It seems that no matter what show you’re at, big or small, and regardless of who is judging that day, a grand drive speech can typically be expected. There aren’t many grand drive speeches that I
remember completely, however the majority of livestock evaluators always recommend, “Tell
the ones who helped get you here thank you” to the youth who are showing. While most of us are always thankful, we too often forget to actually tell each person who deserves it how
thankful we are for what they have done for us.

I often find myself in a situation where I am breaking down a heifer and think, “I should really go
shake so and so’s hand and tell them thank you.” But by the time I am done with that project, I
may completely forget to go give the person(s) gratitude and wish I would have later on because
a handshake/hug will always mean more than a text in my opinion.

I challenge you all to take the time right now (yes, I mean right now) to tell those people who
have played a significant role in your show career, “Thank you.” Whether it’s your
parents/grandparents, agriculture teachers, show officials, or even some of your friends who alway show up to help fit, words of encouragement and thanksgiving can go a long way. Growing up I
wish I would have used more words of encouragement in my daily life. I’ve heard it time and
time again, but now at the age of 21 it really has sunk in that our time here on earth really does go by so fast. Encouragement can provide people with strength to look ahead and reach for their next
goal. Instead of living for ourselves, we should all work at being the person that the world needs
us to be.

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT