Name: Dakota Smith
Family: Paula & Steve Smith and brother Colby
School: Searcy County School District in Marshall, Ark., 10th grade
4-H Club: Arts & humanities and beef cattle
FFA: Advisor Gail Feese
How will being a 4-H member help you develop life skills?
“I’m learning to communicate effectively and gaining confidence in public speaking. This year I wrote an essay for a youth program and won an Odd Fellows Rebekah Pilgrimage. They are sending me to Philadelphia, Gettysburg, New York, Washington D.C. and Canada.”
Who is your role model?
“My brother, Colby. He showed steers and supports and encourages me when I show my heifers. I have 20 head of cattle, five are Lim-Flex. One of them won Supreme Heifer in 2010. I also won Grand Champion with commercial cattle.”
What are your goals?
“I plan on going to college for an English degree. Dad gave me some land, so did my grandpa. I’ll probably raise cattle also, staying with what I have now, Lim-Flex and Limousin.”
Story and Photo by Jeanie Horn
