I’m Gracie Kerns, a sophomore and FFA Officer at James Madison High School. I take care of my blue butt cross named Betsy for my Market livestock project. I'm up early every day, making sure she's fed and happy - my friends tease that I spend more time with her than with them! Taking care of Betsy teaches me about responsibility and hard work. There's a quote I live by: "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." With this in mind I strive to work my hardest no matter what or who I’m up against. Despite Betsy's initial stubbornness, lots of vanilla wafers have helped us get along. We've competed in shows together, and she's mostly been a champ! Besides FFA, I'm busy with the National High School BBQ Association; our team's the reigning champs in half chicken. I'm also training a guide dog named Lisbon - He’s adorable at 10 months old!