Eisenhower HS Sophomore Prepares for HLSR Steer Competition

Joshua Williams showing his steer Whiskey at the November HLSR Progress Show.

Joshua Williams, Eisenhower Senior High School sophomore, is preparing for the 2022 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) Junior Market Steer Competition. 

Williams is an Eisenhower High School FFA student and serves as the FFA Secretary. FFA prepares students for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. 

The journey to HLSR has not been easy. Williams has put in many hours and lots of sacrifice into raising his animals this year and he is hoping to win big at the Junior Market Steer Competition, March 15-17. 

Recently, he competed in the Aldine ISD Livestock Show. He raised two steers and 25 chickens. His steer Black Jack received first place in Heavy Weights and 5th place overall. He also placed 3rd in chickens. 

When asked what is the most challenging animal to raise, he promptly answered “steer.” 

“Steers are definitely more challenging,” Williams said. “They need more cleaning and more time dedicated to their care. I had to sacrifice my fun time with friends to raise them.” 

Preparation for the HLSR competition began last spring after winning the Calf Scramble Competition and purchasing his steer. This is his first time competing. His steer is named Joe. Joe Whiskey. The 1,500 lb steer is the complete opposite of his Aldine ISD Livestock steer. 

“Whiskey has his own personality. He is standoffish and he does not like to play. But that is what I like about raising steer. They are my favorite animals to raise because they are bigger and understand humans more.” 

He is excited to experience HLSR and spends a lot of time preparing Whiskey for his HLSR debut. Whiskey has been eating well and getting plenty of exercise for the big day. 

Williams explained his biggest supporter is his mom, Jamekia Abram. 

“Although my mom has some health conditions, she is always willing to help me with my animals. She helps me dig out my stalls, wash my steers, shave them, she spends money on whatever I need for them, and drives me everywhere to get me what I need.” 

Williams attributed his mom for helping him balance school and raising his animals. 

“She invests a lot of time in me and every vision I have. When I get frustrated, she motivates me to continue and always reminds me that she is right here with me. I could not do what I do without my mom, and I would not be who I am today without her.”

His passion for agriculture started at a young age. Before he joined FFA at his school he was a youth member of 7W, a subgroup of the award-winning Prairie View Trail Ride Association. The Prairie View Trail Ride Association was established in 1957 to promote Black western heritage and it is one of the oldest trail rides associated with the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The tradition continues to this day, with travelers riding from Hempstead, nearly 86 miles, each February.

For years, Williams and his family have traveled with the Prairie View Trail Ride Association from Hempstead to Houston in wagons and on horseback to attend the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Kickoff Parade at Memorial Park. The annual event is a family affair and something he looks forward to each year.

This year will be different. This year, he will be riding to kickoff the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo that he is finally getting an opportunity to participate in. Williams hopes his dreams of his steer making auction will come true this year. With his family’s support he is confident that his hard work will pay off. 

“Joshua has put in a lot of work on his scramble steer,” Michael Kocian, Eisenhower Senior High School agriculture science teacher explained. “Joshua is also a member of the Eisenhower football team, which does not leave him much down time. Luckily, he has great family support to help him out. Each day he strives to learn more and more about livestock.”

Williams has his heart set on attending Prairie View A&M University to study Agriculture after graduation. Funds earned from the livestock show will be set aside for college. 

For more information about Aldine ISD CTE programs and FFA visit the CTE webpage.