Lizzy Petersen, a 2026 graduate of Star Valley High School, earned four ribbons for her two entries at the 2026 Wyoming State Fair, including Grand Champion Quail and Reserve Champion Ornamental Birds. Her accomplishment represents four years of dedication to FFA and passion for all things Poultry.

At age 12, a neighbor gave Lizzy three chickens, and her passion grew from there. As a freshman, Lizzy ended up in an Agriculture class at SVHS when her first-choice class for that hour was full. Her interest in the class grew when she learned about the Poultry judging team and that she could build an entire four-year educational experience around raising chickens. “I was that kid,” she shared, referring to her love affair with anything feathered.

Through the Ag class, her FFA experience was born, and she has pursued it with significant work ethic, increasing her acceptance of responsibility and learning to “think outside the box” whenever she faced challenges with her Supervised Agricultural Experience in Poultry.

“FFA has been the best thing! I have always loved agriculture, but FFA helped me understand and love it even more and helped me grow to be more confident in myself and in others and be able to push through things I didn’t think I could handle,” she said. “I became responsible and a better leader because of it.”

Lizzy served on the officer team with Star Valley FFA three of her four years with the chapter, spending time as Parliamentarian her sophomore year, Secretary her junior year and 2nd Vice President as a senior. Her flock grew to fifty birds and she was obsessed.

Showing her chickens at each county fair was a must for Lizzy, but the summer of 2025 threw a curve ball. “I couldn’t show my chickens last summer.” Not showing, for Lizzy, was not an option, and she immediately began seeking another way to participate in the livestock show. “I had an idea to do quail.” Prayer and a little begging brought her parents and siblings on board.

Eggs were ordered from e-Bay, then hatched at home, and her quail flock was born. Her goal to take birds to the State Fair was finally realized this August when Bridget Frank, SVFFA Assistant Advisor, drove Lizzy through the night to Douglas where her birds competed with some of “the most beautiful pigeons I have ever seen in my life.”

Her parents, Donald and Katelyn Petersen of Maryland, and James and Samantha Allred of Afton, have supported her passion and given her the tools to achieve her goals. Though she hasn’t seen him often, Donald has taught her to “see the good in people.” Samantha taught her “that love is never ending and that I need to trust God when I feel I can’t trust anymore. [Mom] calls me ‘The Wyoming Girl.’ Just be tough and walk it off.”

Lizzy is enrolled at the University of Wyoming this fall, studying Wildlife and Fisheries Biology Management and playing clarinet with the Western Thunder Marching Band. Her professional plans lean toward Wildlife Biology where she knows her fascination with plants, animals and ecosystems will continue to grow.

While entering her birds in the State Fair was the result of hard work and dedication, bringing home a grand champion ribbon was a dream come true.

“It’s been a ride, but I have grown so much,” Lizzy admitted. Her faith has increased, “knowing that God has got me. I just needed to trust and He came through.”