Learning the importance of teamwork

KateLynn Slaamot 
NLJ Correspondent
 
One group of kids truly learned the meaning of “there’s no ‘I’ in team,” when they competed in a statewide competition at the University of Wyoming in Laramie at the end of June. 
The Dog Skill-a-Thon was one small part of a statewide 4-H event called Showcase Showdown, which also included other competitions, such as cake decorating and educational workshops that students can partake in. 
According to Brittany Hamilton, the local Extension educator, this is the first year Weston County has sent a team to compete in the skill-a-thon. Hamilton said that she was aware of the many kids involved in dog projects for fair, so she approached Salt Creek Veterinary Clinic veterinarian Susie Button about coaching a team and preparing them for the competition. 
The team consisted of Quartney Bickford and brothers Tony and John Farley, and they prepared under the guidance of Button for several months, starting in March. They learned about dog breeds, internal and external parasites, proper bathing techniques and more — all information they needed for the skill-a-thon quiz bowl.
As a team, they placed first. Individual placings boosted Bickford to first place, Tony in second and John in 10th, rounding out the top 10 competitors. All three are in the senior age group in 4-H. 
“It was just a really good team effort that made us do well,” Tony said. 
Each team member noted the important role that teamwork played in this competition. The students relied on one another, Button said, as they worked together in both their “strengths” and “weaknesses.” An area where one student was weak was another’s strong point, according to Button, and the team used that to their advantage. 
Bickford is involved in the dog projects at the Weston County Fair, and she will again be involved in that this year. That, in fact, was one reason she desired to take part in the skill-a-thon, she said, because she thought it would help her learn more about the animals. 
“I completely enjoyed it,” Bickford said. Although it was challenging, she said that she loved learning things she didn’t know and meeting other 4-H’ers from across the state. 
Bickford was elated to find out how she placed and how her team placed, she said. 
“I about cried,” she said. 
Tony decided to go to the competition for similar reasons, he said, and his experience there was “an overall good” one. 
“I felt like our team was pretty welcome there,” Tony said, noting his excitement at meeting other people who shared his interest in dog showing. One benefit of the event, Tony said, was that it helped him improve his social and leadership skills and learn how to better communicate with others, especially his teammates. 
John said that he really enjoyed the quiz bowl challenge and the competition helped him learn more about dogs. Although the competition, as well as preparing for it, was challenging, John said that he really enjoyed the experience. 
“As always, hard work pays off,” John said. 
Both brothers also show professionally through the American Kennel Club. Tony has ranked in the top 10 handler list, and he has gone to a national-invitation-only competition, and John and his dog have ranked five in the nation twice in a row. 
While the event was thoroughly enjoyed by all three team members, their coach took great pride and pleasure in seeing her students’ success, Button said. When she was asked by Hamilton to coach, she said she “just jumped on it” because she had been involved in dog projects when she was in 4-H. 
“It was really fun to watch them (students) at the contest,” Button said. “They had fun, and they were pretty successful.” 
Button said that although the team from Weston County won, they presented good attitudes toward the other teams, and she said that she enjoyed seeing that. 
The event offers a variety of real-life applications, according to Button, ranging from useful knowledge about animals that are advantageous to pet owners, to opportunities being opened up, such as future college prospects, meeting new people and more. 
“I was so proud of what these kids had learned,” Button said. She was immensely proud of how the team performed in the competition, as well as their dedication to preparing beforehand, she said. 
Button also wanted to give a shout out to Hamilton, thanking her for setting up the opportunity to go to the Showdown Showcase, as well as all the opportunities Hamilton opens up for those involved in 4-H, Button said. 
“I was excited to be a part of it,” Button said.