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My name is Beau Ann Graves, and I am a senior at Chillicothe High School in Chillicothe, Missouri. I have been fortunate to grow up deeply rooted in agriculture as the fourth generation on my family’s show cattle operation, Graves Cattle Company. Life on our operation has been the foundation of my values, work ethic, and passion for the livestock industry. My parents, Preston and Samantha Graves, introduced me to livestock at an early age. I began showing pigs but quickly discovered my true passion in cattle. Some of my favorite moments are spent walking through sale pens with my family, talking about livestock, and the fine details that make each animal unique. As I became more involved in showing, I was drawn to livestock judging. What began with a few local contests here and there soon grew into a lifelong passion after competing in my first national contest at the Junior National Hereford Expo—at just 10 years old. A defining moment came when I joined the Clinton County 4-H Livestock Judging Team. Though having been to less contests than some of my talented teammates, my coaches, Cody Sloan and Shane Bedwell, encouraged me to push myself and strive to do my best. Under their guidance, I learned the fundamentals of evaluating breeding and market animals and developed the skills to deliver oral reasons confidently. Before long, I was competing at the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in Louisville, Kentucky. That experience led my team and I to earn a trip to the Royal Highland Show in Scotland this past summer, where we had the incredible honor
of representing the United States on the international stage. With spring approaching, it was finally time to start preparing for FFA livestock judging contests. I had looked forward to the year I could compete on the livestock team for as long as I’d been in FFA. Our advisor began the season by having us write down our goals so we’d have something to work toward. After several contests came and went, it was suddenly time for the Missouri State FFA Contest in Columbia. We could hardly believe it had arrived so quickly. After a long day of competition, we got the news that we were headed to the American Royal to compete on the national level. We were beyond excited and ready for the high-quality contest. As they started to announce this year’s Top 10 individuals in the FFA division, my heart started to race. Nerves began to build, and my mind went a hundred miles an hour. Countless words could describe the emotions I felt in that moment at this year’s American Royal, but one stands out above all others: humbling. When I heard my name called as the High Individual at the 126th American Royal, I was truly left speechless. For a moment, everything around me seemed to stop. It’s unbelievable to realize that this 17 year old from a small town in Missouri was able to achieve such a goal. I looked around the room and saw the faces of the people who have supported me since day one—coaches who guided me, the friends who encouraged me, and my family
who never stopped believing
in me. In that instant, every mile traveled, every late night, and every moment of doubt and determination felt worth it. It was more than just a title or an award—it was a reflection of years of hard work, perseverance, and the unwavering belief that passion and dedication truly do pay off. That moment will forever serve as a reminder of how far I have come and the incredible people who helped me get there. I would feel ungrateful if I did not take a moment to thank those who have helped me reach this point in my career. First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to my family and friends who have supported me from the very beginning. Your constant encouragement and unwavering belief in me have meant more than words can express. Thank you for
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