Congratulations Talena Sprecher, the 2022 Wisconsin State Fair Swine Supreme Exhibitor.
The Supreme Exhibitor award is based on an exhibitor’s overall achievements at the fair from points earned participating in the Junior Swine Show, quiz contest, communication contest and showmanship.
Talena is in 12th grade at Ithaca High School and has been an exhibitor at Wisconsin State Fair for six years as a junior exhibitor and 13 years in total.
“I have shown pigs and sheep at Wisconsin State Fair since before I can remember,” she says. “Some of my more notable accomplishments with my livestock have been exhibiting the Third Overall Barrow and the Champion Chester Barrow, at the 2019 Wisconsin State Fair, as well as being a Supreme Champion Showman and three time Reserve Supreme Champion Showman.”
While she’s spent a lot of time in the show ring, she’s also competed in the quiz contests, storytelling, prose and won the communications contest twice.
“Wisconsin State Fair has always been a huge part of my life and an event I look forward to every year,” Talena says. “Being named the Supreme Swine Exhibitor is not only a huge accomplishment for me, but for my family, who has put in so much time and effort to be successful at Wisconsin State Fair.”
She plans to attend a junior college to judge livestock before continuing her collegiate livestock judging career at a senior college. She wants to earn two degrees: agricultural communications and agribusiness.
“With these degrees I plan to teach agriculture, focusing on animal science, in the South, where I can help manage livestock barns and help FFA members with their livestock projects,” Talena says. “Although this is my dream career, I am open to any job within the agriculture pathway. In addition, I plan to have a small show pig operation and a small herd of club lambs.”
She reflects on her favorite fair memories: “I could talk about the picture of me at a young age trying to brace my brother’s lamb up on the Blue Ribbon stage, or when I got to attend Camp of Champions and made many new friends, or the few times where my best friend and I were named Supreme and Reserve Supreme Showman.”
Talena says while she’ll never forget the fond success stories, her best memories have been late night bag games and music with the friends that she’s made at the Wisconsin State Fair.
“Those friends, who are more like family, make showing pigs and attending Wisconsin State Fair year after year so amazing and unforgettable.”
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