
Franklin High School senior Allie Herring won the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo commercial steer contest last year.
Franklin High School senior Allie Herring grew up around the ag industry and first began competing when she learned she could win awards. Then, she fell in love with the programs.
The daughter of an animal science professor, Herring grew up on 100 acres in Franklin and watched her older siblings compete in 4-H and FFA organization contests. It was always her choice if she wanted to follow in their path.

“I always wanted to do what my older siblings were doing,” she said. “And then I’m also a very competitive person. … The idea of getting to compete in these contests and win prizes was just a novelty to my 8-year-old self.”
In her time in both organizations, she has shown market lambs— from third to sixth grade — and commercial steer since then and also competed in beef skillathon, quiz bowls and ag issues. She also serves as a Texas 4-H livestock ambassador and president of the Elliott 4-H Club in Robertson County.
One of her favorite memories is the sense of pride she felt after winning the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo commercial steer contest last year. It was not because she had won, she said, but because she knew how much she had grown since she first made it to the final eight in her first year as a seventh grader and “bombed” the interview.
Since joining 4-H when she was in third grade and adding FFA when she got to high school, Herring said, she has seen her confidence grow and her leadership and public speaking skills develop.
“I wouldn’t say that I was shy when I first got into 4-H and even FFA, but I would definitely call myself more introverted. I am not a social butterfly exactly; I kind of keep to myself. But once you do these contests through 4-H and FFA, you have just this new skill set almost of how to talk to people and how to present your ideas,” she said, calling it freeing to be able to express herself.
Her ag teacher, Brandi Liere, said she remembers seeing Herring as a freshman sit in the corner to get focused and study when they would go to contests, while the other students would be socializing.
“That was just her way of focusing and getting in the zone,” she said. “She’s really learned to open up, look around and look for opportunities to be able to interject and help others. She’s kind of grown, as she’s matured, into helping to spread that knowledge around to others around her and helping them to become successful as well.”
For the past two years, Liere said, Herring has hosted a class for middle school students interested in improving in the beef skillathon contest, which Herring won as a sophomore.
Teaching the class has also helped her improve her own understanding of the material, Herring said.
Liere said she first met Herring when she would be dragged to meetings with her older siblings and said she entered FFA with a lot of knowledge about the beef industry and then asked for help on her public speaking skills.
She said she saw Herring step out of her comfort zone and take on the responsibility of creating and leading an ag issues team and developing the presentation on urbanization.
The Franklin FFA program is successful, she said, because of students such as Herring who can lead other students.
“They’ll step up into that leadership role, but then carry a lot of that weight, which then frees us to focus on other areas as advisers,” Liere said. “She is invaluable to programs like ours.”
One of Liere’s favorite memories of Herring in the FFA program is watching her take those notes about her presentation and public speaking opportunities and use them successfully.
“I think that that really has paved her way to have a successful future in ag communications and ag business, especially if she uses that background [in the] cattle industry,” she said.
Herring called the ag industry the one true essential industry, saying all other industries are built upon agriculture.
“It makes every other industry possible,” she said. “And that doesn’t mean that everyone needs to be involved in the ag industry, because other industries are also very important, but to just appreciate it and want to put more resources and effort into the ag industry makes all our other industries stronger.”
Looking ahead, Herring said she will attend either Texas A&M or Texas Tech to double major in ag communications and agribusiness. She plans to pursue a career in marketing or public relations for an ag company, noting her goal is to work on the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association or Beef Checkoff public relations team.

JB Brown shows off for a vehicle as he and friends ride horses on the sidewalk of Holleman Drive in College Station on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Brown said they regularly go for rides on the sidewalk, and wanted to start the new year with a bang.

JB Brown, from left, Hayden Sechelski and Brice King ride horses on the sidewalk of Holleman Drive in College Station on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Brown said they regularly go for rides on the sidewalk, and wanted to start the new year with a bang.

JB Brown, left, Hayden Sechelski, green hoodie, and Brice King, blue hoodie, ride horses on the sidewalk of Holleman Drive in College Station on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Brown said they regularly go for rides on the sidewalk, and wanted to start the new year with a bang.

JB Brown, from left, Brice King and Hayden Sechelski ride horses on the sidewalk of Holleman Drive in College Station on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Brown said they regularly go for rides on the sidewalk, and wanted to start the new year with a bang.

Texas A&M’s Savion Flagg (1) shoots over Auburn’s Jamal Johnson on Saturday at Reed Arena.

SanitaryPull’s products can be found in Napa Flats, the Stella Southern Café, and Harvey Washbangers.

Ponch Gonzales, Texas Division of Emergency Management Region 2 District Coordinator, answers questions with Emergency Management Coordinator Michele Meade at the Brazos County Commissioners Court meeting at the County Administration Building on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021.

College Station's Love Ryberg pushes past a Magnolia defender at Cougar Gym on Tuesday.

Rudder’s Bryanna Turner drives to the basket for a layup between two Waller defenders on Tuesday at The Armory.

Bryan's Dylan Glover dribbles away from a Temple defender Tuesday at Viking Gym.

Texas A&M's Hassan Diarra (11) looks for the shot against Auburn's Jaylin Williams (23) during game action at Reed Arena in College Station on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. Michael Miller/The Eagle

Texas A&M will be counting on N’dea Jones, left, and Ciera Johnson, front right, to continue leading the team in the frontcourt as SEC play heats up.

Art from the Streets, through Jan. 16 at the Arts Council of Brazos Valley, 4180 Texas 6 in College Station. The display showcases the creative spirit of those experiencing homelessness. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

Pursuit of Light, an exhibit of artwork by Kathyna Hatla, with a documentary film by Stephen O’Shea, through Feb. 20, at the Arts Council of Brazos Valley, 4180 Texas 6 in College Station. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

College Station’s Jaeden McMillin, right, tries to drive around Rudder’s Cameron Richards on Friday at The Armory.

Rudder's JJ Bazy (32) outruns three College Station defenders on a fast break Friday during the Rangers' 50-44 victory at Cougar Gym.

Kassidy Albright of Marlin competes during a breakaway session at a Texas High School Rodeo Association Region IX meet at the Brazos County Expo Center in Bryan on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021.

Montana Brown of Centerville competes during a breakaway session at a Texas High School Rodeo Association Region IX meet at the Brazos County Expo Center in Bryan on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021.

A bald eagle soars through the sky at Castlegate Lake Park in College Station on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website, the birds are commonly found around water where they search for food. The bald eagle eats by hunting for prey, scavenging carrion and stealing the kills of other predators. The website goes on to say Founding Father Benjamin Franklin preferred the wild turkey to the bald eagle as the emblem of the United States, criticizing the eagle for being a thief and a coward. The bald eagle has been the national emblem since 1782.

Texas A&M’s Emanuel Miller (5) reacts to a call during the Aggies’ game against Tennessee on Saturday.


College Station’s Na’layjah Johnson (14) looks for an open teammate against A&M Consolidated on Tuesday at Cougar Gym.

Bryan head coach Chris Jones goes over the game plan with his team during a timeout during the Lady Vikings' game against Belton at Viking Gym on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021.

College Station’s Darrell Ellis drives the lane against A&M Consolidated on Tuesday at Tiger Gym. Ellis led all scorers with 19 points.

Brazos County Alternate Health Authority Dr. Seth Sullivan speaks during a press conference about novel coronavirus in the Bryan City Hall Council Chambers in Bryan on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.

Mark Martinez and Jai O'Brien take down Christmas decorations at Stonecroft Marketplace in Navasota on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021.

Texas A&M University Police K9 Officer Cody Clemens walks through a training exercise with his explosives detection dog, Mays, at Hensel Park in College Station on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. According to previous reporting by The Eagle, Mays, a German wirehaired pointer, works football games and other large events to ensure the safety of students, staff and guests.

Texas A&M University Police K9 Officer Cody Clemens walks through a training exercise with his explosives detection dog, Mays, at Hensel Park in College Station on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. According to previous reporting by The Eagle, Mays, a German wirehaired pointer, works football games and other large events to ensure the safety of students, staff and guests.

Texas A&M University Police K9 Officer Cody Clemens walks through a training exercise with his explosives detection dog, Mays, at Hensel Park in College Station on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. According to previous reporting by The Eagle, Mays, a German wirehaired pointer, works football games and other large events to ensure the safety of students, staff and guests.

Freshman engineering student Jake Bass of Round Rock moves in with the help of his mother, Tammy, at Aston Hall on the Texas A&M campus in College Station on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. When asked about his experience so far in college amid the pandemic, Jake said, "It's been very interesting to say the least."

Freshman engineering student Jake Bass of Round Rock moves in with the help of his mother, Tammy, at Aston Hall on the Texas A&M campus in College Station on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. When asked about his experience so far in college amid the pandemic, Jake said, "It's been very interesting to say the least."

Students and their families use the stairs at the Southside Parking Garage on the Texas A&M campus in College Station as the students move in on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021.

A&M Consolidated’s Kira Merrell, left, dribbles while Rudder’s Rakia Lee attempts to steal the ball Friday at Tiger Gym.

A&M Consolidated’s Trey Taylor, left, tries to dribble past Rudder’s Landon Heslip on Friday at The Armory.

Texas A&M's Jay Jay Chandler, right, retrieves a rebound while teammates Emanuel Miller, left, and Jonathan Aku (15) scrap under the basket with Missouri's Mitchell Smith (5) and Jeremiah Tilmon (23) during game action at Reed Arena in College Station on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021.

Texas A&M’s Connor Schulman, right, wins the men’s 60-meter hurdles ahead of Texas-Arlington’s Joel Bengtsson during the Ted Nelson Invitational at Gilliam Indoor Track on Saturday.

Texas A&M’s Andre Gordon (20) shoots over Missouri’s Javon Pickett (4) on Saturday at Reed Arena.

Students move in to residence halls on the Texas A&M campus in College Station on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021.

Bryan Fire Chief Randy McGregor poses for a portrait at Bryan Fire Department Station 1 on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.

Marcia Miculek to rings the chime from the steeple at First Presbyterian Church in Bryan on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. There were three chimes, each representing 10,000 people, from the steeple to remember the more than 30,000 dead from COVID-19 in Texas. There were four peals, each representing 100,000 people, from a bell to remember the more than 400,000 dead in the United States from COVID-19. There were 20 chimes, each representing 100,000 people, from the steeple to remember the more than two million dead from COVID-19 across the globe.

College Station's Jaeden McMillin pushes past a Magnolia West defender at College Station High School on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021.

Members of the media attended a walk-through of the Brazos Center on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, where volunteers demonstrated the process that area residents eligible in Phase 1B will go through when receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. The site is scheduled to begin administering vaccines on Feb. 1 to those with an appointment.

Members of the media attended a walk-through of the Brazos Center on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, where volunteers demonstrated the process that area residents eligible in Phase 1B will go through when receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. The site is scheduled to begin administering vaccines on Feb. 1 to those with an appointment.

Volunteers demonstrate the process that area residents eligible in Phase 1B will go through when receiving the COVID-19 vaccination during a media tour at the Brazos Center on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. The site is scheduled to begin administering vaccines on Feb. 1 to those with an appointment.

Bryan's Rodney Johnson Jr. (5) and Chris Tyler (33) contend for a rebound with Killeen Shoemaker's Ti'ajae Owens (10) during game action at Bryan High School on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021.

Texas A&M's Jay Jay Chandler, right, retrieves a rebound while teammates Emanuel Miller, left, and Jonathan Aku (15) scrap under the basket with Missouri's Mitchell Smith (5) and Jeremiah Tilmon (23) during game action at Reed Arena in College Station on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021.

Pastor Ted Foote, left, counts as he directs Marcia Miculek to ring the chime from the steeple while Emily Beghin, associate pastor, films at First Presbyterian Church in Bryan on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. There were three chimes, each representing 10,000 people, from the steeple to remember the more than 30,000 dead from COVID-19 in Texas. There were four peals, each representing 100,000 people, from a bell to remember the more than 400,000 dead in the United States from COVID-19. There were 20 chimes, each representing 100,000 people, from the steeple to remember the more than two million dead from COVID-19 across the globe.

College Station Police Chief Billy Couch speaks about an officer-involved shooting on the northbound Texas 6 access road between Harvey Road and University Drive in College Station at the College Station Police Department on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. Also pictured are CSPD officer Tristen Lopez, left, and Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Erik Burse.

Caden Braly throws a medicine ball into the air on the grand opening at the Polo Road Rec Center on the Texas A&M campus in College Station on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021.

Max Rundell performs weighted lunges on the grand opening at the Polo Road Rec Center on the Texas A&M campus in College Station on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021.

Maclane Suber deadlifts on the grand opening at the Polo Road Rec Center on the Texas A&M campus in College Station on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021.

Bryan’s Emeyda Cruz, left, scores one of her four goals in front of Harker Heights’ Aaliyah Hatton on Friday at Merrill Green Stadium.

Bryan’s Taylan Johnson, second from left, battles for a rebound with Harker Heights’ CJ Evans on Friday at Viking Gym.

Texas A&M’s Athing Mu, right, leads Baylor’s Aaliyah Miller and teammate Dominique Mustin in the women’s 600 meters on Saturday at the Aggie Invitational at Gilliam Indoor Track. Mu won in 1:25.80.

Participants and parents watch cars race down a track during a Cub Scout Pack 62 pinewood derby at Jack and Dorothy Miller Park in College Station on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021.

Cars wait for their time to shine on the track during a Cub Scout Pack 62 pinewood derby at Jack and Dorothy Miller Park in College Station on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021.

Participants and parents watch as cars race down a track during a Cub Scout Pack 62 pinewood derby at Jack and Dorothy Miller Park in College Station on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021.

A fence remains up around the Lawrence Sullivan Ross statue in Academic Plaza on the Texas A&M University campus after being defaced in June 2020.

A fence blocks access to the Lawrence Sullivan Ross statue in Academic Plaza on the Texas A&M University campus after it was defaced in June.

Bryan’s Destinee Nunn (20) grabs a rebound over Killeen’s Tyanna Simpson, right, on Tuesday at Viking Gym.

Rudder’s Osman Gutierrez, right, tries to hold off College Station’s Luke Grismer on Tuesday in District 19-5A boys soccer action at Ranger Stadium.