Meet Gia Gonzales, a Rural Route 4-H exhibitor from Caruthers High School!
"I first got involved in 4H because my mom used to show sheep when she was younger, and when I was at the age to show at Fresno Fair she got me into showing through my local 4H club. Now, I jackpot my sheep year round, and have found a true passion in this hobby. The 4H program is important to me because it taught me to give back to the community. It also showed me how to help others when they need it, especially with their own projects they have just began. Helping beginners with their projects is something special to me because just a few years ago, that used to be me, also being helped by experienced showmen.
I have 6 sheep this year, and 1 goat, nugget. At this year’s Fresno Fair, I am showing 2 market lambs, Fetty Wap and Carti, which are both bred by the amazing people and breeders, Mona Lisa and Ryan Estes. These two have very interesting and stubborn personalities, which definitely has them making me work very hard when it comes to showmanship and practice. Unlike my other sheep, Carti has never been shown at a jackpot before, so showing at fair will be his very first showing experience. However, Fetty Wap has been shown but only twice, at Northern Exposure and Leggett’s YGB showmanship camp."