New FFA teacher at Friendswood High School, Trevor Reifel, spent much of his summer helping the FFA students with their heifer projects and preparing for the new school year. Hardworking students in the FFA program were there as well.

Senior Zach Murphy at 17 owns his own landscaping company. His client list has grown dramatically over the summer.  He puts the money away saving for college and show fees.  This begins his third year of his FFA heifer project. His cow, Bluebell had a calf in the spring named Ellie.    

Sophomore Justin Vail is a returning member of the Friendswood Mustang Football Team.  He has been working out at two-a-days and has also been spending his summer raising a young calf named Suzie.  Suzie was also born this past April at the school barn and is the result of a two year heifer project raised by Drew Hamilton, class of 2008.

Courtney Hamilton, FJH eighth grader, has spent her summer helping with Vacation Bible School at her church. She could also be found behind the counter at her parents’ business, Friendswood Floral Shoppe.  She has kept busy halter breaking Ellie (Murphy’s calf) in her spare time this summer.  Last April, Courtney and her swine Flower came in first place at the Galveston County Fair. 

Junior Ben Warren spent most of the spring earning money for World Changers. This is a Mission Program that goes into lower economic areas in the United States and helps with home repairs. This is his second year to attend. He spent the early part of June in Birmingham, where he spent most of his time re-roofing houses. But every morning at 6:15 a.m., he stumbles down the stairs, grabs some juice and heads to the barn. Warren will spend the next two hours that morning and again in the evening working with his heifer, Miss Scarlett.

While some students spend their summer swimming, playing video games or just relaxing, these FFA students are at the barn every day with their heifers.  They walk, wash, groom, halter break, clean the pen and finally feed their animals. They will return to the barn that evening and repeat the entire routine again. Before a student can even begin to consider a weekend trip his/her first thought is who be trusted to look after their heifers.