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March 1, the West Hardin Ag Mechanics group shared that, “Once again, we are blessed beyond measure.” The group that supports students of West Hardin ISD was celebrating “what some go a lifetime trying,” as the young stars excelled at the San Antonio Livestock Show.
Lee and Delilah Zurenda started the morning showing and received a blue ribbon for their 20’ service trailer built for Joseph Tinsley. Bryson Brothers also received a blue ribbon showing his 40’ lowboy built for Ryan Smith. Colten Brackin, Kade Schroeder, and Braden Perkins received a blue ribbon for their 38’ deck over, built for David Snell.
Overall, the Zurendas placed 4th in the specialty gooseneck class. Bryson Brothers placed 1st in the gooseneck lowboy class, second in the gooseneck utility division.
Brackin, Schroeder and Perkins placed 1st in the gooseneck deck over class and went on to win grand champion gooseneck trailer division. The trio also finished the day winning Grand Champion of the entire show.
“Out of 845 projects from across the entire state, West Hardin has the best project in the state. Each of the guys also won a $8,200 scholarship,” the group shared, adding that the achievement would have been impossible if not for “great parents” and Kaci Merrifield “for all of her hard work and dedication to the program.”
Returning from San Antonio wasn’t without fanfare from a supportive community, either. In a showing of how firefighters are always on scene, the Batson and Saratoga volunteer fire departments provided a lighted escort for the returning champs to the delight of cheering fans poised at the campus gates. “The love was felt, and the kids were in shock at how many folks came out to support them.”