11 Ellison competed for the first time in 2010, making the FWSSR her first “major.” “I showed a Hampshire pig and actually walked through the sifting ring right behind the pig that would go on to win the Grand Champion that year,” she said. “I didn’t place or even get pulled that year, but that experience taught me a lot about how to handle defeat gracefully, as well as the strategy of showing. I went on to show more pigs at Fort Worth and even steers and heifers later in my showing career.” As the fourth generation of her family to compete in the FWSSR, Ellison already had a support system that not only showed her the proverbial ropes, but also helped her recognize that her future in agriculture would go far beyond her years as a student. “It’s because of this family legacy that my cousin and I got into showing at such a young age,” said Ellison. “My family knows the value of all the life lessons you learn, the wins, and even the losses, and how that can completely shape a kid’s future. In 2016, I chartered a new 4-H club (Community 4-H Club) in Johnson County because I believed in the value of 4-H and everything the 4-H program has to offer. Urban sprawl has taken over what was once a majority of agricultural land in Burleson, where I am from, and the knowledge gap in agriculture was becoming a cavern. I realized I had the perfect opportunity to expose them to agriculture through 4-H. I’m proud to say that the Club is still in place and has grown to the 2nd largest in Johnson County with the major assistance of my mom who is the volunteer leader, and I am now an adult volunteer with the Club.” Ellison said that the greatest lessons she’s learned from competing in the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo have not come from success, but in the adversity often faced while moving toward success. “One of the biggest things the show taught me was how to handle adversity and not being at the top of the class,” she said. “You’re not always going to be the best animal in the ring, just like you’re not always going to be the smartest person in the room. But there is always something to learn from that person ahead of you. I also learned that there is always someone watching you in the ring and, therefore, to always strive to be a good role model for others. “These are things I still use in my everyday work life. In life, you are not always going to win. At that point, you determine what went wrong, you learn from it, and you try not to make the same mistake again. There’s nothing wrong with getting the “gate” sometimes, but it’s how you handle the walk there that determines who you are.” After completing her undergraduate studies in Ag Economics at Texas A&M in 2021 and receiving a Masters in Agricultural Communication from Texas Tech in 2023, Ellison is now working with A&M AgriLife Research in the Office of Corporate Engagement and Research Support. “I have the pleasure of working with corporations to pair them with agricultural research projects and endeavors at the 13 AgriLife Research centers across the state,” said Ellison. “I am blessed that I continue to have opportunities to be a part of the future of agriculture.” Ellison realizes that much of that success has also come because of the support she’s received through scholarships. “As a former exhibitor, I think I speak for every stock show kid when I say that the support of FWSSR, especially scholarships, means more to us than anyone realizes,” she emphasized. “Not only do the scholarships awarded assist us financially in college and beyond, but they go so much farther than just monetary value. Anyone who donates their time and money to FWSSR is not only showing their support of the ag industry but also their belief in stock show kids. I fully believe that each kid involved in the livestock industry has been taught indelible life lessons that put them on the path to being the future of this great state and country. And by being on the receiving end of such great support, you taught us the valuable lesson of paying it forward. I know I will continue to support the junior livestock show industry, the ag industry, and most importantly, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.” Ellison is one of four generations to compete at the Fort Worth Stock Show, including that of her mother, Cara, who continues to be her strongest champion. Photo courtesy Reagan Ellison 11 While Ellison most often showed pigs, her calf scramble participation put her in the cattle show ring as well.
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