Historic Warrenton Pony Show focuses youth participation, leadership
By Betsy Parker
One of a kind in the U.S., the 90th Warrenton Pony Show concluded Sunday, rewarding winners and champions at the A-rated competition as well as graduating another class of junior committee members with real-life experience.
The Warrenton Pony Show relies on young men and women to handle most of the duties.
It's a tough job, said junior co-president Rachel Giampa, but she's glad for the unique opportunity.
"It was an honor to serve on the junior committee," said Giampa, 17 and a rising senior at the Foxcroft School in Middleburg. "Being president was definitely hard work, but overall it was a great experience."
This year, Giampa and co-president Lauren Hair organized and handed out trophies and created a work schedule for the youngest volunteers.
"My favorite part of the work was handing out prizes," Giampa said. "That was fun, getting dressed up and (taking part) in that tradition.
"But the hardest part was also part of that, when I had to tell the younger kids over and over that, no, they could not wear shorts or jeans to hand out prizes," she added.
Abbey McGuire, who presided over the 2007 show, helped this year as senior adviser. She agreed that being on the junior committee helps young organizers grow and learn with real-life, on-the-job training.
"You learn by the mistakes. You get insight, the more years you help out, on how to make the show run more smoothly," Giampa said...
See the Wednesday print edition of the Fauquier Times-Democrat for the complete story.