Youth participating in the 2008 Walker County Fair and Rodeo exceeded the expectations of their predecessors, earning a record number in project sales and scholarships.

WCFA 2007-08 president Huey Campbell led his last meeting Tuesday night, passing the leadership position to 2008-09 president Larry Brown.

Members of the Walker County Fair Association met this week for its annual meeting where Campbell said he is proud of its students.

“The fair exceeded my expectations,” Campbell said. “And that tells me we’re helping more kiddos.”

According to Smith, the 2008 fair youth project sales exceeded $580,000.

“It’s a record year,” she said. “That total only reflects project sales — there’s so much more that goes on at the fair. The kids receive awards, ribbons, trophies, belt buckles.

“We’re very pleased ... the kids did extremely well as far as sale prices and other funds that came in. We were able to put a lot back into the hands of graduating students through scholarships.”

Students receiving $1,000 scholarships from the association include Trey Young, Ray Dickey, Kaitlyn Richardson and Zachary Bowen.

Scramble heifer scholarship recipients for $1,000 — a fund in memory of Robert A. Alexander — include Justin Branch, Robert Fortney and Jonathan Kelley.

Rodeo Committee scholarship recipient for $1,250 – Blake Sandel memorial fund – is Trey Young.

Bull rider project scholarship recipients for $1,000 include Robert Fortney, Bay Dickey and Cody Ziober.

The poultry scholarship recipient for $500 is Elizabeth Elvin.

“The youth of Walker County are supported greatly by this community,” Smith said. “They are very fortunate. Approximately $8,740,017 has gone back to the youth over the past 30 years of the fair for project sales, donated scramble heifers and many scholarships.”

It has not been long since the Walker County Fair closed its gates for the 2008 year, but nevertheless, the association is gearing up for another year.

During the annual meeting, new officers, directors and executive committee members were elected.

The association also took time to reflect on the 2008 fair with a slide show, congratulated the 2008 scholarship winners and project sale recipients.

“We’re rolling again,” Smith said. “The new president will be giving out assignments for each of the officers — different functions like securing committee chairmen. During July and August, we’ll look at proposed rule changes for various contests.”

Smith said the association will hold its annual Kickoff Jamboree where students “receive new rules and start signing up for different projects.”

“We also have our large Halloween Carnival in October and students can begin to earn their work hours,” she said.

The work toward another great fair continues, and Smith said it is definitely worth it.

“It never gets old when you’re working with the youth,” she said. “That is what’s neat about me working at the Chamber of Commerce as well. You can help promote the youth — the community’s best, most-prized product of this community.

“We prepare kids for the workforce. They’re well prepared academically and they learn those good life lessons as well.”

Newly elected 2008-09 officers include secretary David G. Moorman, treasurer Carol Smith, vice presidents Ann Christian, Brenda King, Kay King, Bob Hardy, Bobby Lane and Kevin McKenzie.

Executive committee members for 2008-09 include Ann Christian, Larry Brown, Herman Brown, Brenda King, Mark Morgan, Carol Brown, Dianne Powledge, Rusty Davis, Sandy Hooks, Billy Harrell, Kevin McKenzie, Roark Rohe, Colt Christian, David G. Moorman, Barbara Sapp, Harvey Winkler, Marjetta Spriggs, Nancy Winkler, Verna Belinoski, Jeff Brown, Cheryl Reader, Alan Fry, Robert Hardy, Chuck Johnson, Kay King, Bobby Lane, Glen Andruss, Carol Smith, Sicily Pierce and Susan Vanderhydt.

Honorary directors for 2008-09 include Courtney Luper, Glenda Ellington, Leigh Ann Klawinsky, Cindy Markham, Ginger Allen, Denise Bennett, Wesley Freise, Warren Kroll, Melinda Nelson, C. J. Heaton (deceased), Doris Brown, Jim Hodges, Janice Letbetter, Kimberly Sapp, H. B. Lawson, Richard Duncan, Steven Gregory, Phil Letbetter, Stacy Holman, Darrell Dyer, Jon Irish, Paula Moak and Tammy Winkler.