Dreams Do Come True

     Since I’ve been the dairy agent in Saratoga County there hasn’t been a more enjoyable responsibility than overseeing the Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County Annual 4-H Calf Scholarship.  This year is the second year in a row that the winner of the scholarship is a youngster who has never owned a registered animal before.  Katie Hanehan, daughter of Clifford and Kathy Hanehan, of Stillwater, chaired the 2007 scholarship committee.

     The scholarship program was established nearly 40 years ago when the local Rotary Club funded the early calves.  As this dynamic program progressed previous winners would donate back in a helping hand way a calf to a deserving young 4-Her, giving them the opportunity to raise and show an animal.  The only requirements of the scholarship are to be an active member of the Saratoga County 4-H and be willing to show the animal at the Saratoga County Fair.  Additionally, winners sign a pledge to provide another deserving 4-Her in the future an offspring from their calf, or money towards an animal.  The committee headed by Katie, along with last year’s recipient Molly Pokrzywka and Molly’s mother, Jean, chose Kayla Marois, daughter of Darlene Marois, Ballston Spa, as the 2007 winner. 

     Katie Hanehan, in fulfillment of the agreement she signed several years back when she was the winner, was able to supply the program with an actual offspring from her beloved 4-H calf.  If that wasn’t enough of a treat, this calf was born on Kayla’s Marois own birthday, May 8^th.  To be honest, when Kayla celebrated her birthday this year she was only dreaming of her own calf and Katie Hanehan knew she had an available calf for the program.

     The day that Kayla was to receive her calf, I accompanied Kayla and her Mom to the Hanehan Family Farm.  Katie was still at school taking regent exams and had only left a request for all to “wait so she could see the look on Kayla face when she first met her calf.”  Kayla was definitely on “needles and pins” and very excited to have won “the dream of a life time.”  Part of the application to be considered for the Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County 4-H Calf Scholarship is to write an essay on why you feel you are deserving of the calf and what you do now on the farm.  Kayla mentioned how having her very own calf would be a dream come true and that she would attend to it on her step-dad’s farm.

     When Katie came home she was nearly as excited as little Kayla and I believe it was due in part to Katie’s outgoing and genuine nature but perhaps reflections of the joy she had had and knowing that Kayla was in for a thrill of a lifetime.  Into the calf barn we went.  Down the rows of young healthy beautiful heifer calves we went until we came upon this bouncing Jersey calf supporting a big red ribbon.  It was love at first sight as Katie followed by Kayla jumped in the pen and hugged the calf.  What a nice registered Jersey calf that indeed Kayla won.  This little princess of a calf stood right up and was nearly as surprised to out her big brown eyes at all of us, as Kayla was to first meet her new calf.  As the two young ladies discussed the fine details of when she was born, her feeding schedule, and what treatments she has received, I was able to have a few good pictures taken.

     Soon we were headed home to Kayla’s house to introduce her new calf to the other calves housed at Willow Marsh Farm.  Kayla proudly marched little K-Han Jace Reina                    into the newborn barn at Willow Marsh Farm.  As Kayla helped the calf settle into her new surroundings other members of the family came to investigate and get acquainted with the farm’s newest animal.

     Yes, dreams do come true and it is rather refreshing to see one firsthand.  This program has fostered for the recipients a lifetime of experiences and created bonds between people, cattle, and other people that will last.  One only needs to see the smiles on these girls in the picture to know just how worthwhile, wholesome, and rewarding it is.