Liberty FFA chapter successes continue in and out of the show ring, according to Brittany Purswell, Liberty High School agriculture science teacher.
Madison Parker brought home the Houston Livestock Show Grand Champion Junior Red Brahman Female title, highlighting a busy and successful month for Liberty FFA.
“March has been a busy month for Liberty FFA,” Purswell said. “We are rounding out the 2026 Texas Major Show season, hauling out of Houston this past Saturday and moving into Austin on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.”
On March 9, the breeding heifer show team hauled into the Houston Livestock Show to prepare for the exhibition of junior breeding heifers. At the same time, the tractor tech team competed at the Katy facility in the state and HLSR contest, placing 29th in the state, third in Area IX and first in the Ricebelt District. Purswell noted the team’s milestone achievement as the first-ever Liberty FFA state-qualified tractor tech team.
American heifers were exhibited in wave one on March 10. Most American breeds were shown, including Beefmaster cattle exhibited by Tyler Walton and Willow Rickerl in Class 1. Payton Hanson placed 11th in Class 2. Kaden Stevens showed in Class 7, Wes Stoesser in Class 10, Nate Stoesser in Class 13, and Wyatt Parker placed sixth in Class 14 with his cow-calf pair.
Keyli Scroggins placed third in her class with a Red Brangus. Cash Broom placed fourth in Class 13 with his Brangus heifer, and Emma Claire Wiggins placed third in Class 14. Madison Parker closed out the day with her Red Brahman heifer, winning her class and division and earning the 2026 HLSR Grand Champion Red Brahman Female title.
On March 11, Landon Williamson placed 10th in Class 2 Santa Gertrudis. Fiona Joseph won her class and an “H” trophy, earning a return trip to the ring for consideration in the division drive. Cameron Ripkowski placed second in Class 13 with her Grey Brahman and also returned to the ring for division drive consideration.
“The evening ended on the arena dirt with Autumn Gressett competing in the calf scramble,” Purswell said. “The Ag teachers hauled kids and cows out of the stock show to Liberty to unload wave one, load wave two, and return to the Houston staging lot.”
On March 12, the team prepared Continental cattle for upcoming shows while networking with fellow exhibitors and breeders.
Competition resumed early March 13. Ryland Evans showed an Angus heifer in a large Class 1. Jessie Riojas exhibited a Polled Hereford in Class 2. Brogan Worthy earned second place in class and returned for division drive consideration. In Simmental competition, Ryder Coker placed third in Class 14 with his cow-calf pair, and Bellamy Fregia placed sixth.
On March 14, Tristen Purswell placed second with her Limousin heifer and returned for consideration in the calf division drive.
On March 15, Tyler Walton exhibited his market barrow.
On March 16, the livestock judging team competed against 239 teams statewide, placing 48th overall, third in Area IX and first in the Ricebelt District.
On March 20, the ag mechanics team hauled in and prepared their trailer for judging. They exhibited the project March 21, earning a blue ribbon before departing the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
“We, as FFA Advisors, are proud of each and every one of our students who competed at the Houston Livestock Show this year,” Purswell said. “We appreciate the time and dedication from the parents and family members who are involved with their students! We love our Liberty FFAmily! Good Luck in Austin!”