An eighth grader at Hermleigh won in the Scurry County Junior Livestock Show and Auction on Saturday, January 22nd.

Emilio Conde says the experience of raising his pig, Charlotte, not only helped him become more responsible but it also changed his life.

At the beginning of the school year, Emilio would describe himself as a troublemaker. He told us, he wasn't that responsible. He was a student who was late to class and did not turn in his assignments on time.

Fast forward to now, he’s still not the biggest fan of school but taking care of his pig has caused him make better decisions.

“I was up there every single day. I would walk it, feed it, I would bathe it, change out its pin. It was just fun, it was amazing, best thing I ever had," said Emilio.

The principal at Hermleigh and Emilio’s agriculture teacher, Blake Barbee, had a feeling getting Emilio a pig would help strengthen his responsibility and his grades. They were right.

Barbee told us, “just the difference that he’s had from the beginning of the year until now is tremendous”.

Emilio placed 5th in the Scurry County Junior Livestock Show and Auction and was awarded $23,000 to put away for his future. A huge accomplishment.

Emilio told us, he could not believe it. “I was crying, I was happy, I was excited, I jumped up in joy, it was amazing," he said.

When asked if he would raise a pig for next year's show and auction, Emilio said he plans on doing it every year until he graduates.

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