Heart of a Champion

Sisters serve more, take less

Heart+of+a+Champion

In 2007, seven and eight year old Lauryn and Lyndi Luttrull attended their first 4-H meeting in a church basement. Now, the sisters are inspiring many all over Wise County.

Third generation 4-H members Lyndi and Lauryn Luttrull follow in their ancestor’s footsteps through eight years of work and devotion to their community. Lyndi serves as this year’s Texas 4-H State president, and Lauryn, is a delegate on the States 4- H Tech Team, both can be found donating their time and talents to any number of projects driven to better their community.

One project they spearheaded last year was The Heart of a Champion Livestock Show at the Wise County Youth Fair. Designed to include the special needs citizens of Wise County, the Heart of a Champion pairs a Wise County Youth member with a special needs community member to create an experience similar to that of a true livestock show. The volunteer walks the special needs citizen with a rabbit, dog, lamb, goat or pig and receives a ribbon for their participation.

“My family and I came up with the idea while road tripping to the beach. Discussing the goals for the upcoming school year, we stopped to eat when a family sat down next to us with a special needs son,” Lyndi said. “We soon realized that the purpose for the upcoming year wasn’t to hang banners or win competitions, but to serve others, advocate for agriculture and implement a special needs livestock show in our community.”

Though the planning stages had its challenges, the end product astounded many, including the duo who constructed the event.

“The Heart of a Champion was a long shot dream for my family, and to see it come to life amazes me,” Lauryn said.

The Luttrull sisters are actively involved in the agricultural industry, and have been showing swine since the third grade.

“The Heart of a Champion gives me the opportunity to share something I love with others,” Lyndi said.

In the future, the family would like to implement the program in other counties across the state.

“I want others to experience what I have over the past year,” Lauryn said. Lyndi and Lauryn come from a rich background of community involvement and service. It is clear that they are well on their way of creating their own footprint. “I want to leave a legacy worth remembering” Lauryn said.