Photo: Cecily Gunter
A high school student from Georgia is using animals to bring a smile to children with special needs, while also teaching them about agriculture.
Meredith McCrorey, a student atNewton College & Career Academyin Covington, has put on the Unique Kids Showing Pigs project for the last two years, according toAG Daily. The show got its start when McCrorey was in ninth grade and struck up a friendship with a classmate with special needs who was enjoying her time in an agriculture class.
McCrorey enrolled her friend in a livestock event and helped her “show” a pig (when a personguides and presentsa pig for competition).
The experience inspired McCrorey to help other children with disabilities find the same joy in livestock shows, and her event was born.
“I remember getting a picture that there is one kid that even wore his medal the next day because he was so happy about it and talked to his classmates about it," she told AG Daily of the Unique Kids Showing Pigs project.
Cecily Gunter
While this year the event had to be limited due to coronavirus safety restrictions, McCrorey — a member of the National FFA Organization — says the event has been growing.
“I see this event expanding every year,” she told theoutlet. “Hopefully other chapters in different counties can get involved. I don’t want this to be limited to just our county. I want all kids across Georgia — and even the country — to be able to have this opportunity to get the experience to show livestock.”
Dr. Marcus Pollard, a young farmer advisor at Newton College and Career Academy, says the school is commending McCrorey’s efforts to include special needs children in agriculture.
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“We’re proud of her for creating opportunities for inclusion and bringing agricultural awareness to our community," Pollard tells PEOPLE. “Meredith’s servant leadership is a great example for her peers in our FFA program and FFA members across the nation.”
“She has taken her Supervised Agricultural Experience and elevated it to the next level, truly making a positive impact in the lives of others,” Pollard adds. “We’re excited about continuing to include all students in agricultural education in Newton County and are thankful for Meredith’s efforts in helping to make that possible.”
source: people.com
