Hodge shows a champion!

By Carrie A. Mizell

Winning the last of seven fat steer classes only meant that Alyssa Hodge and her steer, “Levi” were already in the ring and ready to go when the first place winners from each of the classes entered the grand champion ring.

A wide grin spread across the face of Bell FFA member Alyssa Hodge after her cow “Levi”
was named grand champion fat steer at the Suwannee River Fair on Tuesday afternoon.

Although Dr. Chad Carr of the University of Florida, who was acting as show judge, took his time looking over all the first place winners, his top pick appeared somewhat obvious.
“We were really hoping,” Alyssa Hodge said, with a smile, after her steer was chosen grand champion.
Like all of the grand and reserve fat and feeder steers at the 2010 Suwannee River Fair, Alyssa’s 1,345-pound steer came from Larry Lindsey’s Gilchrist County farm.
A 10th grader at Bell High School, this year’s fair marks Alyssa’s fifth year showing a steer. She has shown two feeder steers and now three fat steers at the Suwannee River Fair. Alyssa is the daughter of Scottie and Natalie Hodge of Bell.
Reserve champion honors went to Josh Leverette of Trenton Sr. FFA.Josh showed his 1,290-pound fat steer in Class 6 of the show. A senior at Trenton Middle-High School, 2010 marks Josh’s sixth year showing a steer at the Suwannee River Fair.
“I am just absolutely surprised,” Josh said, after his steer named “Steer” took reserve champion.
The fat steer show was broken down into seven classes, with six fat steers in each class. First place winners from each class were: Class 1-Bo Beauchamp of Chiefland Sr. FFA, Class 2-Payton Parnell of Chiefland Middle FFA, Class 3-Trenton Sr. FFA (shown by Casey Jury), Class 4-Trey Smith of Trenton Sr. FFA, Class 5-Raychel Thomas of Bell Jr. FFA, Class 6-Josh Leverette of Trenton Sr. FFA and Class 7-Alyssa Hodge of Bell Sr. FFA.
When asked what one word would describe both the grand and reserve champion fat steers, show judge Dr. Chad Carr said, “Complete! They were both good, complete steers.”