University of Florida
Little International was held on October 31 at the Cecil M. Webb Livestock Pavilion, which was festively decorated for the occasion. It was a wonderful evening shared by all members, their families and Animal Science faculty. An auction was held to provide travel funds for the Florida delegation to attend National Convention. During the annual Buck-Off, members and guests rode a mechanical bull to compete for gift certificates to a popular steakhouse.
November was a month of firsts for the club. The membership stayed busy hosting its first annual Thanksgiving food drive to donate turkey dinner baskets to the St. Francis House, a local charity. The club also had its first opportunity to participate in the Gator Homecoming Parade. The members spent a week building the club float to ride on during the parade and be seen on local and state television.
In December, the club visited the Children's Ward at Shands Hospital to spread the spirit of Christmas and distribute small gifts to the young boys and girls.
The spring semester offered several more leadership and service opportunities for the club members. In January, fourteen members traveled to Denver, Colorado to attend the National Convention. It was the first time for many of the members to experience production agriculture on the west side of the high plains, to see snow-covered mountains and to witness the excitement of the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo.
The Block & Bridle Club made its presence known at the Florida State Fair in February. The State 4-H and FFA Livestock Judging and Horse Judging Contests ran smoothly thanks to the concerted efforts of the club members who handled livestock, tabulated scores, and served as assistants to the official committees. The club also played a large role in the success of the Florida State Fair Skillathon.
In late March, the club its Second Annual Cowboy/Cowgirl Auction, which was the most successful fund raiser of the spring semester. In addition, the club held several major social functions including the Second Annual Sporting Clays Shoot and the Cow Pasture Open Golf Tournament.
The year came near its an end on April 4 with the Spring Awards Banquet which was held to honor the achievements of club members, animal science students and faculty. This year, the club recognized Ms. Betty McGreevy as Honroary Member for her long-term, generous support of the Animal Science Horse Teaching Unit.
The University of Florida Block & Bridle definitely enjoyed a successful
year under the leadership of: Erin Johnson, President; Lindsey Blakeley,
Fall Vice-President; Josh McInturf, Spring Vice-President; Sally Flowers,
Secretary; Andrea Handley, Treasurer; Amy Williams, New Member
Coordinator; Mark Peterson, Fall Reporter; Greg Steube, Spring Reporter;
Meghan McCracken, Editor; Jenny Harris, Layout Editor; Chris Chapman,
Photographer; Farrah Johnson, Food Chairperson; David Caruthers, Marshall;
Sarah Jefferson, Trisha Revels, and Jon Shetler, Student Agricultural
Council Representatives. The faculty advisors were: Dr. Tim Marshall, Dr.
Saundra TenBroeck, and Dr. Bryan Reiling.
