NEWS
This was JJ Blanton’s first year participating in the calf scramble, and the 14-year-old Greenon Freshman made the most of it.

One of the most exciting events at the Clark County Fair is the annual Calf Scramble. Each hopeful must write an essay and present a letter of recommendation to apply to be in the contest. The Calf Scramble Committee then selects the participants. The scramble starts when the steers are released onto a muddy track. Each boy then races to catch a steer, must correctly place a halter on it, and lead the calf to the Winner’s Circle. Winners use the steer for a 4-H or FFA project in the coming year.

This was JJ Blanton’s first year participating in the calf scramble, and the 14-year-old Greenon Freshman made the most of it. Although the smallest of the 13 boys participating, Blanton was also the scrappiest, targeting the biggest of the eight steers, then wrestling a halter onto it. Unfortunately, mere feet from the Winner’s Circle, Blanton lost control of his quarry and someone else caught the steer instead.

Disappointed, but already looking forward to next year, Blanton is still in disbelief that he almost took down the biggest steer.

Being in the calf scramble requires a lot of physical effort. In spite of being well-conditioned, Blanton was exhausted and sustained a lot of scrapes, bruises, and a sore shoulder during the scramble. However, his high pain tolerance is helping Blanton deal with his injuries

Blanton’s mother, Billie, says her son has a good reason for developing such a high pain tolerance.

Born prematurely and with a rare blood disorder, Blanton underwent a bone marrow transplant when he was only 18 months-old. The following years were spent undergoing treatments and hospitalizations. Many times his parents didn’t think their son was going to survive. The medications Blanton took during his treatment also caused severe, life-long side effects. He developed cataracts in both eyes, suffers from slow growth, and developed a significant learning disability.

These days, Blanton’s hardest struggle has mostly been with self-confidence. His small stature and the difficulty he has understanding what and when to do things cause him worry. But Billie says her son is winning that struggle too as, little-by-little, his family has watched Blanton’s confidence increase. His performance in the calf-scramble is an example of that growth.

Blanton has a huge support system, including his teachers at Greenon, his friends, and his family. Billlie says, “JJ learned a long time ago that if you want something bad enough, you will do what it takes to get it. In fact, that was one of the last things his dad reminded him of before he went into the track Friday night...and he proved to us that he wanted it!”

Billie says her son’s epic fight with the steer did not go unnoticed.

“We are extremely proud of JJ and each kid in the pig and calf scrambles. Several children approached JJ and tell him how he inspired them. That in itself makes the entire event worthwhile.”

The calf scramble is sponsored by the Clark County Agricultural Society and other contributors.

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