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ENJOY! Shenandoah County Living AUGUST 2016
sibling RIVALRIES Jake Zuckerman/Daily
Kaley Toy/Daily
Lorenzo DiRoberto, left, 13, and his brother, Joseph DiRoberto, pose with their goats, Skit and Tank respectively. Lorenzo will be showing Skit off at the Shenandoah County Fair 4H and FFA Livestock Show, while Joseph will be presenting Tank alongside another goat, Deuce.
Sisters Marian, left, and Sarah Grace Schechtel are ready to show their market lambs at the Shenandoah County Fair.
Brothers to compete in 4H-FFA Livestock Show By Jake Zuckerman
A sibling rivalry will be settled once and for all when two brothers square off with competing goats at the Shenandoah County 4H and FFA Livestock Show and Sale at the county fair.
Joseph said more work goes into taking care of the goats than people may understand, including feeding them daily at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., keeping their water bowls stocked and leaving them hay.
However, he said he’s most interested to see how his hard work with his animals Joseph DiRoberto, 16, and Lorenzo will pay off before the judges. DiRoberto, 13, will be showing their goats “I’m looking forward to getting in a to the judges. Joseph DiRoberto will take room with the judge and letting him see his goats, Deuce and Jack, up against what I have and what I can produce,” he Lorenzo’s goat, Skit. said. While Joseph has competed in the goat Lorenzo said he’s looking to earn his show twice now, this will be Lorenzo’s first experience. He said he’s looking for- keep. ward to the show, although a bit anxious “I just thought I could prove myself for how the sometimes-uncooperative ani- around here,” he said. mal will act. The two brothers will be competing at
“I’m excited, just a little bit nervous about it,” Lorenzo said. “But I do have a new appreciation for what goes into goat shows.”
All the goats the two brothers will be feeding are between 7 and 8 months old.
the 4H and FFA Livestock show during the Shenandoah County Fair, which will be held Aug. 26 through Sept. 3. Contact staff writer Jake Zuckerman at 540-465-5137 ext. 152, or jzuckerman@nvdaily.com.
Sisters continue family tradition at fair By Kaley Toy Sisters Sarah Grace and Marian Schechtel continue a family tradition of showing sheep at the Shenandoah County Fair.
much work. Four months of getting up early and working with these animals, and then to see your work pay off at the fair and at the shows is just very gratifying to see that you did this by yourself,” she said.
Sarah Grace, 16, of Woodstock, has parShe added that those at the fair are a big ticipated in Central High School’s FFA family. program and is a 4-H Lone Star member. “It’s a big community of people that are This will be her seventh year showing at there to support you and build something the fair. around you,” she said. Her sister, Marian, 13, is also a 4-H Marian said the fair experience also Lone Star Member. This will be her fourth gives her a chance to see how the work of time showing at the fair. The girls are the youngest of seven chil- the other exhibitors paid off and how to improve next year. dren in the Schechtel family who have shown sheep through 4-H at the county fair. Participating in the market lamb event, each will be showing two sheep. Marian named her sheep Princess and Hugo, while Sarah Grace named her sheep Buster and Nick. Sarah Grace said she has had really great experiences at the fair and builds a community with those she meets there. “It’s gratifying because you put in so
She added that they are judged on showmanship, which is how the handler walks and breaks the animal. The animal has to have a good brace and be “rock solid” meaning the handler pushes against the sheep and the sheep must push back and remain still and firm, which isn’t natural for sheep to do. SEE SISTERS, A3