Agriculture students at Canyon Lake High School (CLHS) met their four-legged projects at “gotcha days” this fall.
As many as 40 CLHS students are raising cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, and rabbits at the school’s ag barn.
They provide the necessary care that goes into raising an animal, from bathing and feeding them, cleaning pens, and training livestock for show.
Students participate in up to eight major stock shows — including the Comal County Jr. Livestock Show in March 2026 — and many practice shows throughout the year.
Their animals will be sold at the end of the school year.
Trinity Bryan, a senior who’s raised goats for four years, said that’s the most challenging part of working with livestock.
“This year will be especially bittersweet because I am a senior,” she said.
Senior Madyson Morales said she’s raising a pig this year because her mom raised pigs when she was in high school.
Sophomore Abigail Smelley said she’s following in her sister’s footsteps.
“I’ve been showing pigs since I was in fifth grade,” she said. “Joining ag has taught me so much more about the industry, and now I want to pursue becoming an ag teacher to help inspire kids like me.”
CLHS agriculture teacher and swine advisor Emily Gwinn said working with livestock teaches students the importance of responsibility and a good work ethic.
Students grow significantly throughout the year.
“Being responsible for a living animal brings on a whole new work ethic necessary to be successful,” she said. “It also teaches resilience, because no matter if it’s a holiday or weekend or if they are sick or tired after a long day, they still must care for their animal.”
Comal County Pct. 4 Commissioner Jen Crownover’s son Boogie Crownover raised a 1,000-pound Charolais cow at CLHS. The animal won overall reserve champion steer at the Comal County Fair & Rodeo in 2018.
In October, she invited CLHS’s Ag Mechanics team to cut metal for special awards for the Dam Fine Car Show.
She described Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the county’s 4-H programs as an “incredible family experience — one that strengthens bonds, builds a sense of purpose, and instills a work ethic that not many other experiences can touch.”
The Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources cluster is part of Comal ISD’s career and technical education (CTE) opportunities.
Students at CLHS, Canyon High School, Davenport High School, and Smithson Valley High School can choose several programs of study within the cluster, including animal and plant science, agriculture technology, and mechanical systems.