Buchanan boy uses parent’s advice, wins showmanship title

BERRIEN SPRINGS — Many years ago, Kevin Mitchell’s mother competed in the overall large animal showmanship sweepstakes at the Berrien County Youth Fair.

It is an event that brings together the senior showmanship winners from each large animal exhibit and requires the competitors to show them all, one

after another.

Jane’s best piece of advice for her son was to keep grinding, no matter how long it takes.

“She told me no matter how tired you are don’t stop because it will eventually be over — then you can go be tired somewhere else,” said the 17-year-old Buchanan boy.

Kevin used his mom’s advice — and a lot of practice — to beat out a field of seven competitors and win his first overall showmanship sweepstakes title Saturday at the fair.

“I am glad I can put my name on the plaque because it means I am the best showman at the fair for large animals, which is a huge accomplishment,” he said. “I’ve never done really well in showmanship prior to this year, but I did really good this time.”

Kevin gained entry into the sweepstakes by being named the best senior sheep showman on Monday, meaning he had an entire week to prepare for Saturday’s event.

He spent much of the week learning how to show each animal.

“He did not do anything else,” said Jane, who finished third in the sweepstakes in 1982. “If we weren’t showing or selling he was practicing. He didn’t see his friends, he didn’t do anything but practice.”

“My mom dragged me from barn to barn and studied with me for a week non-stop — so I have to thank her,” Kevin said.

The competition lasted for two hours. By the end, Kevin said he was getting tired.

“It was really fun and I enjoyed it, but I was like, “Thank God it is over,’” he said. “Now I can say I know how to show all the animals.”

Kevin has been showing at the fair since he was five years old. He will be a junior at Buchanan High School.

Another Buchanan boy, Benjamin Ganus, finished seventh in the event. He was the swine representative.