A Special Needs Livestock Show was held Friday in Clarke County, for students at Quitman Junior High and Quitman High School.

Students from the special education 4-H Club took part with the assistance of 4-H members, who were also showing their animals later in the day.

The special needs students got the chance to experience first hand what it is like to handle an animal at a livestock show, which is what they really enjoyed.

"Being able to put their hands on the animals and physically feeding them, you know, giving them water, and just hands on, more than talking about it in a room, they got the experience to come out and be in the ring with the livestock," said Jenifer Riley, special education teacher at Quitman Junior High School.

While the special needs children enjoyed their experience, the 4-H members learned a lot as well.

"I think it's a way to give back," said Roy Higdon, MSU Extension Service county director. "But just as important as these special needs children showing, it gives our 4-H'ers a chance to help them show how really fortunate they are to have their health and be able to do unassisted what they do. And I think it's just as important for them as it is the kids in the special needs classes at the school."

This is the first Special Needs Livestock Show in Quitman in a few years, but one of the original competitors, Dixie Miller, returned as the livestock queen. Now that it's back, organizers hope this event will stay around.

"I would like to see it stay with us, be something we continue annually," said Christy King, MSU Extension 4-H agent. "And I think as much fun as our livestock exhibitors and our special needs kids have had, it's going to be something that's around for a long time."

The 4-H volunteers showed their animals after the special needs show was finished. A livestock auction followed.