Showing Miss Erica

Natalie Wester, 15 (above), of Louisburg spent quality time with Miss Erica, a pure-bred Angus, before showing the heifer at the 2004 North Carolina State Fair. Miss Erica was one of five beef heifers and one feeder steer being shown by Natalie, a Franklin County 4-H'er and sophomore at Bunn High School. It was Natalie's fifth year showing at the fair, where she has won two first places and showmanship awards each year. Nearby, Joanna Askew, 11 (below), of Plymouth prepared her heifer for showing. Joanna and Natalie were among 45 youth presenting approximately 85 meat goats and beef heifers as part of Franklin County's youth/animal exhibit, one of the largest at the fair.

-Terri Leith