Saturday, February 28, 1998

Aspermont student learns being last isn't always so bad

By J.T. Smith / Abilene Reporter-News

Whether it's a barbecue buffet or a ticket window -- somebody will be first in line and another person must be last.

It's sort of a mathematical law that -- to keep order -- you have a beginning and an end. (Those with surname initials -- like an "S" or a "W" or "Z" -- know what's it's like to be at the end of the line from first grade through college).

The same with auctions -- there has to be first animal in the ring -- and there must be a last.

Justin Westbrook, with a "W" to start his last name, probably already had a pretty good idea what it is like to wait in line. After all, he's a seventh-grader at Aspermont.

But the 12-year-old found at the 1998 San Antonio Livestock Show that being last isn't always bad.

It can be good.

Westbrook qualified his lightweight Duroc pig for the auction sale there. Of course, a sale order must have a beginning and an end.

Justin wound up at the end -- the very end.

Alamo City folks respond big

As Justin walked his red pig in the arena, the announcer noted that it was the last animal in the long sale.

While Justin's parents, S.J. and Donna Westbrook, watched from ringside, the bidding for the 229-pound swine went hog wild.

Before the auctioneer's gavel came down for the last time, the bid had edged its way up to $5,000.

As the Stonewall County 4-H'er left the arena, he had learned that nice guys may -- at times -- have to wait until last. But the wait can be worth it.

When not working with pigs, Justin excells in his schoolwork and especially likes UIL math events in addition to football, basketball and track.

Well, my math shows his hog brought a whopping $21.83 per pound, live weight.

Justin has two sisters, Aubrey Jo, 10, and Morgan, 7, who also show livestock. This was Morgan's first year to raise and show an animal.

At the earlier 102nd Fort Worth Stock Show, Justin showed a Hampshire hog that won its class there.

Predators in the Classroom coming to Abilene

A special teachers' workshop featuring the Extension Service's "Predators in the Classroom" is 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Thursday at the Region XIV Educational Service Center just north of Interstate 20 on Highway 351 (Albany Highway) in Abilene.

Dr. Dale Rollins, Texas A&M Extension wildlife specialist, San Angelo, said Predators in the Classroom is a new, interactive multimedia curriculum developed by Extension wildlife specialists and educators.

"Its objective is to challenge elementary students' critical thinking skills about these controversial animals," Rollins said.

Rollins is the originator of the program.

The San Angelo Independent School District pilot-tested the curriculum during the 1996-97 school year. The teaching material will be made available statewide later this year.

Rollins said all lesson objectives are keyed to TASS Essential Elements and are multi-disciplinary. TASS Worksheets for writing and math are included for classroom use.

"Predators are the most controversial wild animals, yet they are a vital part of ecosystems all over the world," Rollins siad. "Their interlocking food chains provide an energy flow throughout the ecosystem. They are 'neat' when viewed under a microscope, 'cool' when a bald eagle is seen catching a fish; but 'cruel and bloodthirsty' when they attack animals that we -- as humans -- prize, like pets and livestock."

This workshop is an eye-opener.

The curriculum goals demonstrate the range and diversity of predators, illustrate adaptions that help predators and prey survive, increase students' knowledge of common predators they may see and enhance critical thinking skills relative to predators.

Five components of the workshop are: a five-day lesson plan, 21-minute video, interactive CD-ROM, color poster and exhibit with hands-on materials.

"These components are intended to either complement or substitute for the predator-prey curriculum materials currently used in most schools," Rollins said. "The materials should be helpful in a number of life science studies."

Registration is $35 per participant. The fee covers CD and video copy, lesson plans and poster, but not lunch.

For more, contact Rollins at (915) 653-4576 in San Angelo weekdays.