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EU High senior earns champ status with ram at SJ Fair
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East Union High’s Shari McCallister proudly displays her ‘Supreme Champion’ ribbon awarded to her ram named “Snuff” at the livestock breeding contest Friday at the San Joaquin County Fair. - photo by VINCE REMBULAT

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY FAIR

• THEME: Celebrating 150 Years of Good Times
• LOCATION: San Joaquin County fairgrounds, 1658 S. Airport Way, Stockton
• WHEN: Wednesday (June 16) through Sunday (June 20)
• HOURS: Noon to 10 p.m.
• ADVANCE TICKETS: Adults $6, children $3
• REGULAR ADMISSION: Adults $9; children $5 (kids age 5 and under are free)
• PARKING: $5
• CONCERTS / 8 P.M. START TIME: Jose Feliciano (June 16), Sawyer Brown (June 17), Kool & the Gang (June 18), Tower of Power (June 19), Lupillo Rivera (June 20)
• HORSE RACING: June 16 through June 20
• INFORMATION: Phone 209-466-5739 or go to www.sanjoaquinfair.com

At the tender age of 9, Shari McCallister raised livestock for the fair competition.

She started with the Lodi area Alpine-Victor 4-H Club, a youth development program that helps youngsters reach their full potential.

“Ever since then I wanted to raise a champion,” said McCallister, who will be a senior at East Union High in the coming months.

She accomplished that goal Friday to kickoff livestock breeding weekend of the 2010 San Joaquin County Fair.

The fair will feature some 14 Future Farmers of America chapters – according to Manteca Unified School District agriculture instructor Jaime Sanchez, students from East Union, Weston Ranch, Sierra, Lathrop and Manteca high FFA programs are again involved in this year’s livestock competition – along with over 21 4-H clubs and numerous independent exhibitors.

McCallister scored big on her nearly 8-month-old Monadale ram she named “Snuff.” She raised the livestock since birth on the district farm.

“I helped in the delivery (of the ram),” she said.

The ram was awarded a ‘Supreme Champion’ breed at the SJC Fair, with judges awarding points based on the height and structure of the animal.

“I’m so excited,” Shari McCallister said. “This is my first-ever champion (livestock).”

Darla McCallister noted that her daughter’s effort was well earned.

“Shari works hard in raising her animals,” she said.

The younger McCallister isn’t done yet. She’s scheduled to show market animals and dairy heifers on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

In addition, she and other members from the local FFA chapters will display their livestock projects at next month’s California Expo and State Fair.

Shari McCallister is now in a position to earn money is she puts “Snuff” on the auction block.

“But I might keep him and put out to breed,” she said.