In one word... WOW! Another exceptional year for Fillmore and Piru 4-H and FFA (Future Farmers of America) youngsters. Seven champion/reserve champion awards! Impressive! The outstanding championship animals include a steer, two replacement heifers, and four pigs.

The following are chats with award recipients at the Youth Livestock Auction at the Ventura County Fair.

Macie Wokal, 15, won FFA Grand Champion Replacement Heifer.

Macie's replacement heifer's name is Bambi. Why? "Well... it's black and white and after I bought it my Grandma had to put down her dog... a dalmatian... and was named Bambi. So... I named it (the heifer) Bambi in honor of my Grandma's dog.

Didn't you win something last year? "Yes, I won overall grand champion (replacement heifer) last year and in 2009," said Macie.

Because of the string of championships the Wokal sisters have accumulated in recent years, I seriously doubt it has anything to do with the water at the Wokal household. I had a hunch I had to pursue. Does winning so many championships in recent years have anything to do with the heifer's breeder? "I can say yes about that," Macie said, adding, "because my breeder (Colburn Cattle, Visalia, CA) is a really good breeder." Suspicion confirmed!

When you first saw (Bambi) did you see championship quality or did you just figure you'll take your chances? "I pick my heifers because of how they look not like... oh... it has a nice butt blah... blah... blah. I pick it for... oh... I like the color I want that one," Macie said. This year I picked Bambi because she's black and white... and has a lot of hair." Now you know how it's done!

While raising Bambi, could you tell that the heifer had championship qualities? "Yes," Macie quickly replied, adding "everyone said that she's so cute you'll do good." Everyone? I asked. Macie replied: "My mom, my mom's best friend, my friend Breanna's (Berrington) mom all said... oh she's so cute. See...the folks that know... knew!

What if you didn't win I asked? "I'd be crushed because I was expecting to do good." And if you don't win next year? "I'll just move on, do it again, and try my best the following year," Macie said. What was the best part of raising Bambi? "Ummm... probably bonding with her and learning about the responsibility for when I become an adult and have my children. Right now... Bambi is like my kid.

The most difficult part of raising Bambi. "Training her to walk right and set up and not to go psycho ." Psycho? "Yes," said Macie, "because my sister's heifer and mine are like best friends... I guess you could say... because they're in pens right next to each other at the farm. So when they're not together they tend to miss each other and kind of go nuts."

And the auction money? (winning bid-$4,000) "It goes into the savings account for future college to study agricultural," said Macie. Her intentions are to obtain her agricultural teaching credentials.

Macie added: "I want to thank my mom for sticking by me when I get grouchy and all that. I'm a girl and get moody from time-to-time. And I thank my sister for helping me through everything," Macie said.

Samantha Wokal, 18, won FFA Reserve Champion replacement heifer.

Great way for Samantha to finish her FFA career. Although she didn't win anything last year, in 2010 Samantha won Grand Champion replacement heifer.

How was it raising Thumper? "Well to be honest," Samantha said, "this was was really rough because I've had to knee surgeries recently back to back so it was kind of a struggle. But the last few months it's been fun watching her grow and getting to know her. How about difficulties raising Thumper? "Because of the injury I wasn't able to walk her and train her like I would like to but my sister helped out with that a lot," Samantha said, adding "I'm very thankful to have her.

The leg injury? Samantha explained, "playing softball I Tore my ACL and after having that repaired I slipped getting out of the shower and broke my kneecap."

Plans for the auction money? ($2,600) "It's going into my savings and start my savings back up. After all these years of raising animals (for auction), I recently bought a 2006 330i BMW. Future plans include her intention to attend Moorpark College and eventually get her Masters in nursing and special education.

When did you begin in the FFA? "I've been raising animals since I was nine years old. I started raising pigs the first two years and won reserve grand champion with one of my pigs. I've won reserve grand champion with one of my heifers. Grand champion with one of my heifers and reserve grand champion with one of my steers so I mean it's been a great experience and I really enjoy telling people about the experience of 4-H and the FFA. Not only is it a fun way to earn money but it also teaches you responsibility. And it really looks good on my college application and helps me get scholarships."

Speaking of responsibilities, Samantha explained: "You take care of the animal like you take care of yourself. If they don't have water... think of yourself of not having water my mom always tells me. So the rule at our house is that we have to feed them (the animals) before we can eat so that way we really remember. It's a great way to learn responsibility and a lot of people think it's really cool... we have cows as pets." A pet cow? Now there's a thought!

Now that this FFA year is history, Samantha said: "I want to thank my parents who have supported me and my sister financially and my mom for also helping me a lot with my heifer.

Hailee Smith, 17, won FFA Reserve Champion, market swine.

This is Hailee's third year raising pigs. And next year? "I'm probably going to do another pig," Hailee said. You're stuck on pigs? "Yeah" said Hailee. And your pig's name? "Hamlette." OK... why Hamlette? Hailee explained: "For the past two years my pigs names started with an H and had at least one double letter in it. So... Hamlette was the next choice. There you go... it was all about a pattern... and not anything to do with... ahem... ham. Another fascinating scientific process.

The best part of raising Hamlette? "Ummm... I would say... because she almost died... so I would say helping her... and bringing her back to life," Hailee said, adding, "and about responsibility and everything." Hamlette's health issue? She had the runs from April 7th to June 15th," Hailee explained, "and had no idea what was wrong with her. We ended up calling veterinarian Dr. Mike (Giacopuzzi) and he helped us out a lot. After giving Hamlette multiple medications, she got well. (Dr. Giacopuzzi is also the FAIR's livestock vet.)

Along the way... what was the best part of raising Hamlette. "Getting to know her... finding her sweet spot so that she'd like me. Took about two months before she actually got used to me and only had for about three (months)," said Hailee. So what was going on during the first two months one wonders. "She was skittish," Hailee said, adding "she ran away from everything and everybody."

What was the most difficult part? "Showing her last Wednesday. It was very difficult," Hailee said. Why? Hailee explained: "Because the judge was bouncing around on what he liked. So... making sure that she was the one that he liked (was difficult.)" When the judging was finished? Hailee smiled, saying, "once he gave me that ribbon for the FFA Reserve Grand Champion I almost fainted. I was so surprised." And did the judge say anything when awarding you the ribbon? "Yes," said Hailee, "he told me that he didn't expect to be giving me the ribbon when I first walked in. Because of the way she (Hamlette) first walked in, she wasn't what he was looking for and as she warmed up and got ready (for judging) he said that she did a lot better so it totally turned around his prediction about who he was going to pick. "

What if you don't win anything next year?. Hailee replied: "Nothing. I'll come back the following year and try again." OK... what's most important... the experience or winning? Her response does not surprise. "I think it's just the experience. Personally I don't really care if I don't win a ribbon I'm here to have fun and learn about responsibility from raising an animal... all of which will help me further any career I decide to go into." Any career in particular? "I want to be a professional photographer," said Hailee. I can relate.

What about help raising Hamlette? She said: "My mom helped me a lot. And my breeder, Leonard Cruz helped. Anytime I ever needed him all I had to do was give him a call and he'd come down (from Somis) and look at her and make sure everything is all right." And next year? Hailee explained: "I'll most likely get another pig from Leonard Cruz. I got my pig last year from him. He's a really good breeder making sure everything is all right.

In summation Hailee said: "I'd like to thank the judge and ((FFA instructer) Mr. Ricards for helping me." Hailee's pig weighed in at 278 pounds and bought at auction for $9.00 a pound.