Aiden Jamieson was a busy man during 4-H on Parade. The 15-year-old from the Bow Valley Beef and Multi 4-H Club participated in four different competitions during the May 27-29 event.
Jamieson had a Charolais steer named Phillip and a purebred Charolais heifer named Maddy entered into Beef Female and Steer Show competitions. He also competed in the sewing and welding competitions. He won Grand Champion for Clothing and Textiles after making himself a bomber jacket. He recently joined the sewing club at the insistence of his mom.
“I wanted a football jacket, but my high school didn’t have a football team. So, I decided to make one,” Jamieson said. He and his mom estimated the jacket took him 12 hours to make.
Jamieson also welded a coat rack and end table that were auctioned off in the 4-H on Parade silent auction, and his projects won him the Reserve Champion prize in welding. The welding club was a new undertaking for the Bow Valley club, but it was something Jamieson took an immediate interest in.
“Welding’s something that I enjoy doing and it’s something that could be calling my name one day,” he said. While he seems to favour welding as a potential future career path, Jamieson says he can’t pick a favourite activity in which to compete.
“They’re all so different, but they’re all so fun.”
In between working with his family’s cattle and working on sewing and welding projects, Jamieson still has to keep up with his schoolwork like any other high school student. He credits his parents with helping him keep all of his activities balanced.
“I enjoy being (at 4-H) with friends and meeting new people,” said Jamieson. “I’m going to use all of the life skills that I’ve learned one day.”
