Local Students Honored at Purple Circle Club Induction Ceremony

The Purple Circle Club inducted 167 students—representing more than 225 awards—during a celebration held in Benton. The club, established in 1953, recognizes youth exhibitors who earn championship honors with their livestock projects at the Arkansas State Fair.

The program was originally sponsored for 54 years by Arkansas Power and Light Company (now Entergy Arkansas) before Arkansas Farm Bureau (ArFB) assumed leadership in 2005. The first class included just 38 inductees, making this year’s group the largest in decades.

Students were recognized in categories including breeding cattle, dairy cattle, showmanship, goats, lambs, rabbits, poultry, and swine.

Local honorees included:

Howard County
– Alex Bonner, Champion Simmental Bull
– Avery Morris, Division Champion Crossbred Market Steer

Pike County
– Dally Ann Minton, Division Champion Dark Cross Market Hog
– Braylee Reid, Division Champion Southdown Influenced Market Lamb
– Adeline Haney, Grand Champion Poultry Chain

Hempstead County
– Paisley Reed, Champion Brahman Female
– Huck Plyler, Champion Charolais Bull
– Huck Plyler, Champion Charolais Female

Nevada County
– Marley Godwin, Division Champion Maine-Anjou Influenced Market Steer
– Tessa Stone, Division Champion Market Goat
– Tessa Stone, Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat

Sevier County
– Katie Williamson, Champion Exotic AOB Bull
– Emersyn Hankins, Champion Peewee Breeding Swine Showmanship
– Kix Lee, Division Champion Hampshire Influenced Market Lamb
– Kinnah Ferguson, Division Champion Poland China Market Hog
– Katey Cooley, Grand Champion Chianina Bull
– Katey Cooley, Grand Champion Hereford Bull
– Kix Lee, Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb

Little River County
– Salem Stone, Reserve Grand Champion Single Fryer

This year’s inductees represent some of the top young livestock exhibitors in the state and continue the Purple Circle Club’s long-standing tradition of recognizing excellence in Arkansas youth agriculture.