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Little International, WT's annual livestock show, brings together students from two classes for a shared experience that builds connections between classmates while providing hands-on learning opportunities.
Held Oct. 12-13, the 2026 Little International Showmanship Contest and Leadership Development Event involved more than 200 WTAMU agriculture students, including freshmen enrolled in ANSC 1319: Principles of Animal Science and seniors in AGRI 4305. Freshmen had the opportunity to show cattle, swine, sheep, and horses and compete in a quiz bowl, while seniors served as team leaders and guided them through the process.
Through this collaboration, freshmen can get involved in the livestock show industry, learn new skills, and build relationships with their classmates early in their college careers. Preparing for the show and quiz bowl also allows students to learn livestock basics outside the classroom. For seniors, the event provides real-world experience in motivating, teaching, and supervising students in the fast-paced environment of a livestock show, helping prepare them for careers in agricultural education.
"Little I is such a unique opportunity in which both incoming students and outgoing students have the same goal and same mindset," said Windsor Godfrey, senior Agricultural Education major. "We're all focused on the task at hand and the experience that we're sharing. Nowhere else do you get that kind of connection between the Year 1 and the Year 4 student."
The event also highlights collaboration across WT's Department of Agricultural Sciences, with students from multiple agriculture majors, student organizations, and teams participating alongside faculty from Animal Science, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Communications, and Equine Industry and Business. Support from university facilities and programs, including the Ag Education Center, Nance Ranch, Swine Unit, Horse Center, and VERO veterinarians, helps make the event possible.
This year's show featured 101 cattle, 132 sheep, 103 pigs and 105 horses, along with more than 60 quiz bowl contestants. The event provides an opportunity for students across the department to work together while strengthening the relationships and learning communities that support student involvement and success.
Keelyn Meador of Team 1 was named Overall Little I Round Robin Champion, while Shaylee Priest of Team 2 earned Reserve Champion. Team 6 won the Quiz Bowl competition, with Team 8 named Reserve Champion.
Additional showmanship winners included:
Swine
- Monday Champion: Keelyn Meador, Team 1
- Monday Reserve Champion: Anne Alonso, Team 2
- Tuesday Champion: Briar Parson, Team 8
- Tuesday Reserve Champion: Samantha Young, Team 8
Sheep
- Monday Champion: Shaylee Priest, Team 2
- Monday Reserve Champion: Jacee Maness, Team 4
- Tuesday Champion: Madilyn Sides, Team 8
- Tuesday Reserve Champion: Rayna Epley
Cattle
- Monday Champion: Braden Plumb, Team 2
- Monday Reserve Champion: Kadyn Smith, Team 2
- Tuesday Champion: Wade Treadway, Team 8
- Tuesday Reserve Champion: Kate Swain, Team 9
Horses
- Monday Champion: Sophi Sokoloski, Team 3
- Monday Reserve Champion: Kasen Wink, Team 3
- Tuesday Champion: Zane Gerstberger, Team 9
- Tuesday Reserve Champion: Elizabeth Kolath, Team 11
By bringing students together through a shared goal, Little International creates opportunities for freshmen to get involved and connect with their peers while allowing seniors to put their agricultural education skills into practice. The event continues to demonstrate the value of hands-on learning and collaboration across WT's Department of Agricultural Sciences.
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