How the New Waverly 4-H club is raising champions

The New Waverly 4-H chapter continued their longtime success streak at the Walker County Fair this April, attributing it to familial support and the development opportunities offered by the organization.

Containing over 100 members, New Waverly 4-H is one of 28 4-H clubs in Walker County. 4-H is a youth organization made up of students and adult leaders that equips kids with lifelong skills through raising livestock and creating hands-on projects that fit their interests. Students who raise livestock spend months caring for their animal before showing them at the Walker County Fair. Exhibitors have the option to raise a lamb, steer, goat, hog, commercial heifer, rabbits, broilers, or turkeys.

Klipper Williams with his parents

New Waverly 4-H member, Klipper Williams, took home the title of Grand Champion Steer from the 2026 Walker County Fair, continuing on his legacy of taking home the same title in 2025, 2024, and 2023. The steer sold to Barrilleaux Energy Services for $42,500 at the Walker County Fair Premium Sale and Freezer Sale. “[The 4-H] means so much to me,” Klipper says. “It gives me life skills.”

Right behind Klipper was another New Waverly 4-H member, Korbyn Barnett. Korbyn’s project was selected as the Reserve Champion Steer, a close second to Grand Champion. Her steer, El Macho, was purc

hased by Bill Fick Ford for $25,000. 

However, the 2026 Walker County Fair victory with Korbyn’s steer was not the first time she took home a champion buckle. In 2023, Korbyn won Grand Champion Barrow at the Walker County Fair. Her goal for the 2027 Walker County Fair is to walk away with a Grand Champion Steer banner.

Korbyn Barnett (far right) sits with other New Waverly 4-H members at a meeting

Klipper and Korbyn are one of many Walker County Fair champions filling seats in the New Waverly 4-H meetings. The club has a long line of winners representing it. In 2025 alone, New Waverly 4-H members won Grand Champion Steer, Reserve Champion Broilers, Grand Champion Turkeys, and a multitude of class winners and reserved sale slots.

High school sophomore Breckyn Slott won Grand Champion Swine with her barrow, Bandit, at the recent fair. “It felt awesome,” says Breckyn. “I haven’t ever won before and I was so grateful. Me and my family have worked so hard for it. Just to be able to get out into the ring was a blessing but getting success felt like everything.”

Breckyn spent several years working with her animals morning and night. “Hard work ultimately leads to success,” Breckyn stated. “After a couple of years, it’ll pay off.”

She says that without the help of her parents and supporters, she would not be where she is today. “My biggest role model is my mom. She is amazing and inspires me as a person to be kind and to lead others. She’s always there for me and always will be, so I will always look up to my mom.”

Her mom, Tracey Slott, volunteers as one of the leaders of the New Waverly 4-H club. She works to promote the agriculture industry to children in the community and foster their growth as confident leaders.

“These kids are already the best,” Slott says. “4-H just makes them better. That’s our motto: to make the best better. This gives them a community underneath them

to help them grow in their own leadership skills.”

Growing up as a part of 4-H provides kids with a circle of supporters that grow and change with them. “It is awesome to be a part of the New Waverly Community Club because we have all been together since we were very little,” states Breckyn, “We have a very strong bond.”

Kynley Davidson echoes a similar sentiment. Now a high school junior, she has been a part of the New Waverly 4-H club since the third grade, even serving as an officer for a majority of her time.

New Waverly 4-H officer leads meeting opening ceremony

“This chapter is more than a chapter to me, it’s like a family,” says Kynley, “Anytime you walk in the doors of these me

etings, everybody welcomes you with open arms. Even if you’re new, they make you feel like family.”

Kynley credits her 4-H chapter for shaping her into her best self by fostering a sense of responsibility, as well as teaching her principles like dedication, work ethic, and leadership. 

In monthly 4-H meetings, the club focuses on developing broad skillsets that apply to all members. Meetings can focus on leadership skills, financial literacy, agricultural advocacy, community service, or preparing students for general adulting. In terms of student development through projects, all livestock and non-livestock projects are driven by familial support.

“My family has always been on my side both inside and outside of the ring and pushed me to be my best,” Kynley says, “and my 4-H leaders have gotten me involved and brought me out of my comfort zone.”

However, the people responsible for

supporting the kids in the 4-H club expand beyond parents and club leaders. Slott says, “our key to success is community. We are an extremely community-driven program, and they back us 100%.”

New Waverly residents and surrounding Walker County cities support the New Waverly 4-H chapter in a multitude of ways. The club’s annual 4th of July fundraiser brings in thousands of people each year. In 2025, over 600 meals were served to guests. A live auction was held and a bike parade and fireworks show took place in the evening.

As a part of the New Waverly 4-H club, members have the option to participate in non-livestock auctions and show off their skills. Some of these categories include food and nutrition, photography, quilt-making, and fine art. The 4-H chapter also provides opportunities for participation in the academic youth rodeo.

Membership in the New Waverly 4-H club is open to all students grades third through twelfth. Families interested in joining the New Waverly 4-H club can join via 4-H Online or by calling the Texas A&M Agri-Life Extension Office for further questions and enrollment at (936) 435-2426. Those interested in becoming a recipient of the monthly New Waverly 4-H can contact county extension agent Kristy Titzman at kristy.titzman@ag.tamu.edu.