Southwest Parke Community Schools

Over the past four weeks, students in Mrs. Woods' Animal Science classes have been studying all about dogs. Topics included breeds, terminology, groups set forth by the American Kennel Club (AKC), exercise requirements, and domestication of pets/livestock animals. As part of the unit, students watch a portion of the AKC National Dog Show then complete a “dog-less” dog show project. Students select different dog breeds then must complete research to create a poster about the breed and create a 'life-sized' model of the dog. Just like the National Dog Show, there are champions for each dog group and an overall “Best in Show.” Students first voted in their classes for the class winner in each group. Class winners then went on to a vote for the group champion between all three Animal Science classes. The group champions were then voted on by the Riverton Parke staff to select a “Best in Show” and “Reserve Best in Show.” Group winners included Jett Lesniak (Terrier Group), Jacee Stonebraker (Toy Group), Jaydon Shaffer (Herding Group), Mitchell Stepp (Sporting Group), Maddy Posthauer (Working Group), Mary-Claire Featherling (Hound Group), and Josh Ushman (Non-Sporting Group). The overall “Best in Show” went to Maddy Posthauer with her Saint Bernard, and “Reserve Best in Show” went to Mitchell Stepp with his German Shorthaired Pointer.