(02/20/17) GONZALES, La. – Three Louisiana 4-H’ers and two FFA members were honored for outstanding work in livestock projects on Feb. 18 at the 82nd annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show.

These non-exhibiting awards were presented along with numerous awards for youth who placed in contests held at the show, which took place Feb. 11-18 at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. The event featured nearly 2,200 4-H and FFA students from around the state showing cattle, swine, goats, sheep and poultry in a variety of contests.

The Louisiana 4-H Foundation and Louisiana FFA sponsored the non-exhibiting awards. Applicants had to submit a record book to be considered.

The C.W. “Dub” Kennedy Award, named for a former Livestock Show manager, was presented to Jenna Guidry, a 16-year-old 4-H’er from Iberia Parish. She began her 4-H career nine years ago showing pigs and rabbits and has gone on to hold positions on the state Citizenship and Science, Engineering and Technology boards. She was recently elected treasurer of the Junior Leader Club.

Kyle Sonnier, 13, who has been a Jefferson Davis Parish 4-H member for five years, received a Superintendent of Education Award. The award recognizes students under the age of 13 who have excelled in the livestock program. Sonnier, who hopes to become a veterinarian, shows cows, participates in shooting sports and is a member of his 4-H dairy club.

A second Superintendent of Education Award was given to Josie Purvis, a freshman member of the Holden FFA Chapter. Purvis, also a member of 4-H and the National Junior Swine Association, placed in 17 livestock shows during the 2015-2016 academic year. She and her older brother breed animals for their family business, Purvis Show Pigs.

The Governor’s Awards, which recognize a 4-H member and an FFA member who have excelled in the livestock program, were presented to Cameron Parish 4-H’er Maeleigh Conner and Iowa High School FFA member Ryan Danos.

Conner, 17, has been in 4-H for seven years and participates in beef and leadership projects. She has served as president of the National Junior Braford Association, president of her 4-H Club, president of Louisiana Junior Cattlemen’s Association, secretary of the Louisiana Junior Braford Association and ambassador of the United Braford Breeders.

Danos, a high school senior, began his first beef project in third grade and now cares for a herd of 29 cattle as part of his FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience. He is a member of the National Junior Braford Breeders Association, International Brangus Breeders Junior Association and the Louisiana Junior Cattlemen’s Association. Danos plans to study agribusiness at McNeese State University beginning in the fall.

Jenna Guidry, an Iberia Parish 4-H’er, right, received the C.W. “Dub” Kennedy Award at the 82nd annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show awards ceremony on Feb. 18, 2017. She is pictured with Mark Tassin, AgCenter associate vice president for 4-H and youth development programs. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Kyle Sonnier, a Jefferson Davis Parish 4-H’er, second from left, received a Superintendent of Education Award at the 82nd annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show awards ceremony on Feb. 18, 2017. From left to right, Janet Fox, AgCenter 4-H department head; Sonnier; Martha Moore, coordinating member of the K-12 Agricultural Education Commission; and LSU Vice President for Agriculture Bill Richardson. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Josie Purvis, a member of the Holden FFA Chapter, second from left, received a Superintendent of Education Award at the 82nd annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show awards ceremony on Feb. 18, 2017. From left to right, Kathy Conerly, executive secretary of Louisiana FFA; Purvis; Martha Moore, coordinating member of the K-12 Agricultural Education Commission; and LSU Vice President for Agriculture Bill Richardson. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Maeleigh Conner, a Cameron Parish 4-H’er, center, received a Governor’s Award at the 82nd annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show awards ceremony on Feb. 18, 2017. From left to right, Mark Tassin, AgCenter associate vice president for 4-H and youth development programs; Sonnier; Gabe Patterson, Louisiana FFA state president; Conner; Kathy Conerly, executive secretary of Louisiana FFA; and LSU Vice President for Agriculture Bill Richardson. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Ryan Danos, a member of Iowa High School FFA, center, received a Governor’s Award at the 82nd annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show awards ceremony on Feb. 18, 2017. From left to right, Mark Tassin, AgCenter associate vice president for 4-H and youth development programs; Sonnier; Gabe Patterson, Louisiana FFA state president; Danos; Kathy Conerly, executive secretary of Louisiana FFA; and LSU Vice President for Agriculture Bill Richardson. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter