Camdyn Johnson
Camdyn Johnson of Sallisaw is not only in her last year as a senior at Sallisaw High School, but in her last year to participate in the Sequoyah County Junior Livestock Show. She hopes her lamb, a Hampshire, which uncommonly has a name, ‘Lambert’ does well in the show.
Just Folks
Camdyn Johnson of Sallisaw is not only in her last year as a senior at Sallisaw High School, but in her last year to participate in the Sequoyah County Junior Livestock Show. She hopes her lamb, a Hampshire, which uncommonly has a name, ‘Lambert’ does well in the show.
“I’ve been showing lambs since I was in the eighth grade, Johnson, 18, said.
“I’ve done sale a few times and have won a blue ribbon a couple of times or more, but this is just something I’ve enjoyed doing. I’ve done it every year and I will miss it some after high school,” she said.
Johnson said she joined FFA in the eighth grade at Sallisaw. She decided to begin showing at that time after her agriculture teacher advised it was something she should do.
“We live out in the country and I followed his advice. Right away I knew it was something I wanted to keep doing,” she said. She has shown six lambs in the livestock shows since she first began.
“I think the best thing about it is getting to know the other kids involved in the same thing, not just from Sallisaw, but also from the other schools. I’ve showed in the Regionals but haven’t done as well there as I have here but there’s a lot more competition there.”
Johnson said her daily routine of caring for her lamb involves getting up before school each day, feeding Lambert, making sure his water is good for the day, and providing him hay. In the evenings, she said she walks him and exercises his “bracing” to get him primed for the livestock show.
“Bracing is one of the main things the judges look at because they want to see the animal’s muscle and fat. So it’s something we work on,” she said.
In addition to raising her animals for the livestock show, Johnson also serves as the manager for the boys football team. Her responsibilities include making sure they have their water and other drinks, first aid kit and anything else they may need. Johnson said she also comes from a sports family. Her father has served as a football coach in Sallisaw and Muldrow but softball is a sport she enjoys playing.
“I love softball. I enjoy watching the OU Softball team,” she said. “But I don’t plan to play after high school. I just want to be focused on my studies.”
Following graduation, Johnson plans to study occupational therapy at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
“But this is my last year to show and I’m very excited about it. Last year, we had some really bad weather but everyone still came out. I think it’ll be okay this year,” Johnson said.
“I love the support this community gives to the livestock show. It really shows they care,” she said. “They just donate to the kids who enter the show and we reward them with something nice, like a gift basket.”
“My parents and grandparents are a big help to me as well as all the sponsors. My grandparents have always been involved in the community and giving where they can. I want to be that kind of person when I grow up,” she said, smiling.
“I hope Lambert does well in the show. He loves to be petted. I can’t help but get attached to the animals but I also realize they will be on the meat truck, too. But not until after the regionals,” she said.
Just Folks. Just Folks is Your TIMES way of honoring the regular people of Sequoyah County, recognizing their unique talents, personalities, jobs, abilities, etc. Your TIMES appreciates the cooperation of each Just Folks and the public’s nominations for this feature. If you know of someone you think might be a good story, contact Amie or Lynn at 918-775-4433.
