Winning is Everything

Beau Bialczyk
Professor Tennille Fenstermaker

Purpose Statement: The things we will be remembered for are the exact opposite of what we
aspire.
Audience: Newspaper Reader
 Before newspaper organizations began losing subscriptions and shifted to digital forums,

headline stories were something to look out for. A time when people held the newspaper in

their hands and waited in anticipation for what was noteworthy for the day’s release. These

stories were always something of relevance. Big events affecting the community. If the editor

felt a story warranted the importance of a headline, everyone else must feel the same. On Aug

8th, 2019, the events following became worthy of that cover story.

Every year local business owners within the Jackson community attend the Jackson

County fair to support the youth of 4-H. These business owners buy the livestock or what is

referred to as “Projects”, which consist of swine, cattle, sheep, and others. There is a benefit to

both the business owners or “buyers” and the 4-H exhibitors. Buyers receive recognition, much

like advertising, by purchasing the livestock. The 4-H exhibitors, on the other hand, get to sell

their projects, which is often their source of income for the summer. However, when there are

over three hundred animals, it’s important to have the project be judged and ranked as high as

possible because buyers have lives too and can’t always stay for the duration of the event. This

is crucial. Perform well, win, and get ranked.

August 8th, 2019, was one for the record books. It was hot. There was no air moving. It

felt like the adrenaline and tension of the Young 4-H exhibitors added 2 degrees to the

thermometer. Beau Bialczyk, a 4-H exhibitor, was as nervous as his competitors. It was his first

year competing in the beef division. Beau, much like his peers, had been preparing his project

for the entire year leading up to this day. Beau’s project named, “Charlie”, was known for his

stubbornness on the farm by not responding when instructed to perform certain aspects of

showmanship. There were times when Charlie would get loose, run, buck, and even drag Beau
in the fields. If this happened in the showring, it would be devastating in the ranking process.

And even though Beau and Charlie were able to work their differences out on the farm, who

could be certain that Charlie would go back to his old ways. That was something Beau kept in

the back of his mind, knowing how devastating that could be. Beau tried to will it not to

happen, but the very thing he thought would crush his opportunities in the rankings, did in fact

occur.

In front of the judges and audience members, Charlie went back to his old behavior. It

was a distressing sight. When the initial jump and kick subsided, Beau, embarrassed, had just

enough time to take in what occurred. Charlie, in his rambunctious state, had landed on Beau,

who felt his foot beginning to swell. Then, the disorderly behavior continued. Charlie began to

run and pull and jump and buck. It was an uncontrollable emotional ride Beau found himself

on. It was as if he was at the farm months ago, all the while knowing his chances with the

buyers had faded away. He finished last.

To Beau’s dismay, the very thing he feared happening in the showring became his

biggest selling attribute. Buyers began commenting on the way in which he held his composure

throughout the endeavor. The audience agreed too as they began cheering for the last place

finisher. In the end and to Beau’s amazement, the local business owners rallied around Charlie

as if he was a prized champion. This got me thinking.

There is a saying that no one remembers who finishes second. That may be true, but

remembering who finished last and stole the show? These boundaries were tested on August

8, 2019, and to this day, the very thing Beau thought was going to be his downfall became his
biggest strength. Learning how to deal with situations people find themselves is a testament

and revelation into their character and reason for the cover story.