Heather Mathis, Pasco High School

Howdy! My name is Heather Mathis. I am currently a senior at Pasco High School and a senior exhibitor with the Pasco County Fair. This is my first year showing a steer, and I couldn’t be more nervous. For the past six years I have shown hogs, and I now understand exactly how much different they are from each other besides pork and beef! It’s so much more work than I had ever anticipated, but I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything!


My steer now weighs 1,100 pounds, and he is an Angus X. I purchased my steer from a great breeder and a wonderful family, the Nathes. Mr. Bill Nathe understands how hard a student works to get the steer broke and to the fair and how hard it can be to come up with the money to buy your steer. That’s why he does everything he can to help you start off your project. My steer’s name is “Blackberry.”


Fair time is only a few weeks away, and all of the exhibitors are nervous not just because of us showing but because we all have to sell. Buyers are getting harder and harder to come by, and without them there is no us. For instance, this year’s earnings are going to help me with going to college. Something I can not pay for alone. I’m sure there are other seniors that are in the same boat as me.


Well that’s all for this time. I’m sure you will hear from me soon!